Director of Leadership Giving (Buffalo)

Director of Leadership Giving

Daemen University is a dynamic, independent, liberal arts institution committed to excellence in student centered learning. The University places special emphasis on preparing students for excellence in professional life, civic engagement, and on instilling and understanding that learning is an exciting lifelong journey. Students are encouraged to be creative, innovative, ethically minded leaders for an ever-changing, diverse, and interconnected world.

The Mission of Daemen University is to prepare students for life and leadership in an increasingly diverse and complex world through the integration of education and professional preparation. Daemen University is going beyond instrumental needs to foster the development of individuals who are dedicated to the health and well-being of local and global communities.

Purpose of Role

The Director of Leadership Giving at Daemen University plays a key role in advancing the university's fundraising efforts by managing a portfolio of leadership gift prospects. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors; supporting campaign initiatives; expanding scholarship support; and securing corporate sponsorships for events such as the Daemen Gala. The Director also plans and leads stewardship initiatives, including the annual Scholarship Brunch, and collaborates with the Senior Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement and other leaders to strengthen the donor pipeline. The role requires strong relationship-building skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to represent the university with professionalism and enthusiasm.

About This Opportunity

As a member of the Institutional Advancement team, the Director of Leadership Giving will be responsible for the following :

• Identify, cultivate, secure and steward gifts of $15,000 to $25,000 and above.
• Determine donor capacity to make leadership-level gifts by conducting discovery visits and cultivating new prospects.
• Prepare and execute personalized stewardship plans for major donors, including multiple touchpoints throughout the year to ensure long-term retention.
• Identify corporations and businesses to establish collaborative partnerships that align institutional needs with funding interests - specifically, securing corporate sponsorships for the Daemen University Gala.
• Cultivate new funding sources to enhance scholarship opportunities.
• Manage the annual Scholarship Brunch event, including outreach, cultivation and stewardship efforts for donors and scholarship recipients.
• Drive campaign efforts and strategies that advance the mission of Daemen University and promote a comprehensive understanding of our philanthropic priorities among internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in alumni, donors, and other advancement and campus events and programs as needed.
• Work in coordination with our advancement services team to record activity of prospects into the CRM database in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Terms of Employment

This position is a full-time exempt position that may require extended or evening or weekend hours and travel to meet the obligations of the position.

Total Compensation

Daemen University offers a robust total compensation package that includes :

Daemen University strongly encourages all campus community members to get vaccinated for COVID-19, including a booster vaccine.