Director of Development – Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development (Schools), with dotted-line reporting to the Dean of Undergraduates and the Dean of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies, the Director of Development Undergraduate and Graduate Programs will plan, organize, and manage the development of complex major gift support for each of the Deans, as well as their constituent departments and centers.

Specific responsibilities include helping identify, develop, and promote fundraising priorities that complement each Dean’s strategic plan, as well as identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donor prospects capable of gifts at the $100K to $4.

9M level. All activities are coordinated closely with the appropriate manager in the Development and Alumni Relations Division.

In conducting the work, this person will apply knowledge and understanding of Rice University, including its traditions, programs, campus issues, needs, and priorities.

The Director of Development Undergraduate and Graduate Programs will need to grow the graduate prospect portfolio while still maintaining and growing prospects for undergraduate programs, with a goal to manage a combined portfolio of 80-100 prospects with a capacity of $100,000.

The ideal candidate is an excellent relationship builder and communicator who has experience building and growing portfolios, as well as developing and implementing fundraising strategies to secure capital and programmatic commitments in a higher education environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted.
• 5+ years of related professional fundraising experience at the $50K level with demonstrated success at the $100K level, and demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major individual gifts.

In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills Required Ability to develop and initiate new strategies Advanced problem solving skills Strong verbal and written communications skills Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously Strong organizational and time management skills Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite Strong data analysis skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary.

Strong client service orientation and attention to detail Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni / donors and projects to which they are assigned

Essential Functions

• Develop strategic and comprehensive fundraising plans for the Undergraduate and the Graduate and Post-Doctoral programs in collaboration with the Executive Director of Development (Schools), the Deans, and advancement staff.
• Identify and build the Graduate and Post-Doctoral prospect portfolio while maintaining and growing the prospect portfolio for Undergraduate programs.
• Collaborate with teams in Development and Alumni Relations, including regional major gifts, annual giving, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, and prospect management to build university-wide, graduate- and undergraduate-centric programs and to identify prospects to engage at the university level.
• Equip and empower internal Dean of Undergraduates and Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies staff and faculty to execute stewardship and advancement of campus programs and areas that benefit from philanthropic support.
• Develop, implement, and manage yearly fundraising plans for the Dean of Undergraduates and the Dean of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies to advance the Deans' priorities, increase principal and major gifts, and increase giving.
• Effectively articulate and persuasively promote the mission and vision of the Dean of Undergraduates, the Dean of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies, and Rice University in the context of securing private support from its various constituencies.
• Manage a portfolio of 80-100 major gift prospects, aiming to cultivate, solicit, close, and steward leadership-level commitments of $100,000 or more.

Metrics will include portfolio management, annual fundraising goals, and monthly meeting goals to be reviewed regularly.

• Represent the Dean of Undergraduates and the Dean of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies at meetings, conferences, and other related events.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Additional Functions

• Required daily work on campus, with some flexibility, as schedules permit
• Travel is required for this position and initially will be 30% of job responsibilities
• Required to attend after-hours functions and events, including on weekends
• Active engagement of all stakeholders, including the school’s faculty, staff, students, and alumni
• May supervise the work of a staff assistant
• Works with and supervises the efforts of volunteers involved in fundraising initiatives
• Requires extensive contact within the university at all levels, including upper-level administration, in person, in meetings, in writing, and by telephone
• Requires extensive contact outside the university with donors, alumni, parents, and friends of Rice University, often in person, with follow-up by phone or in writing

Preferences

• 6+ years of the experience specified above
• Skills Ability to prioritize major gift fundraising responsibilities, including knowing when to delegate effectively when tasks / requests do not align with those responsibilities Ability to demonstrate good judgment in dynamic situations Strong communication and storytelling skills High emotional intelligence
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google applications
• Proficiency with a fundraising CRM and strong data-driven orientation
• Ability to think strategically and to work collaboratively
• License / Certification Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)

Workplace Requirements

Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and / or at fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.