Director of Development

Position Focus :

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Alumni Engagement and Development, the Director of Development will manage their own portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, and devise in close collaboration with the Associate Dean, other Directors of Development, the Prospect Management and Research Team, and other School and University colleagues strategic fundraising plans to secure gifts for high priority fundraising initiatives.

The Director will build a reputation as a reliable internal and external partner and ambassador for Yale Law School by demonstrating a deep understanding of the School and its priorities;

possessing an exceptional understanding of fundraising best practices; and achieving and exceeding assigned performance metrics.

The successful candidate will possess a growth mindset, be resilient and adaptable, and support the office’s culture of collaboration and excellence.

The Director of Development will :

Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more to Yale Law School philanthropic priorities, at times in partnership with the Dean of Faculty, Associate Dean, or Yale Law School faculty members.

Assist AED in securing alumni contributions at all levels when traveling to select geographic regions.

Develop, deliver, and execute actionable plans (to include objectives, strategies, tactics, timelines, and measurable metrics) for securing private philanthropic support that advances YLS initiatives and special projects.

Utilize the University’s Blackbaud CRM, Hopper, to document all planned and completed prospect interactions and strategies.

Utilize metrics, reporting, and analytics to regularly communicate to the Associate Dean effectiveness and progress of fundraising efforts, adjusting plans in real time to maximize results and return on investment.

Actively manage a YLS prospect pool of approximately 150 major / principal gift prospects, as well as prospects in their reunion cycle, and key volunteers.

Complete 15 or more major / principal gift solicitations each year.

Participate in the development and execution of plans for strategic prospect engagement for the Dean.

Support open communications among team members, engage in team-building efforts and participate in meetings and retreats that embrace and support AED’s Purpose, Values, and Culture.

In partnership with the Prospect Management and Research team, Identify, assess, and engage new prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more for YLS initiatives.

Participate in the development of gift proposals, gift agreements, and other donor materials as needed.

Represent the School at regional and on-campus events.

Encourage volunteers to build bridges and utilize their networks to help Yale Law School and the University develop stronger relationships with other prominent alumni, parents, and friends.

Provide support for reunion giving and related activities as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

Essential Duties

• 1. Directs the efforts of the Development office and its staff to create and promote opportunities for communicating the needs and priorities of assigned departments, schools, and divisions to potential donors;
• formulates and develops programs to identify and cultivate prospective donors. 2. Directs development activities including : cultivation and solicitation events;

proposal preparation; donor visits with staff and faculty; stewardship events; special exhibits and events, etc. that promotes and recognizes donors.

3. Directs and monitors development of prospect donor lists in collaboration with the research department; develops policies and procedures related to identification of needs and priorities of specific schools or department;

creates opportunities for donors to support the needs of the various schools and departments. 4. Oversees and ensures schools are well-served in one or more of the following : prospect research, donor stewardship, development for major gifts, annual fund programs, and alumni relations function.

5. Directs, leads, coaches, and motivates development officers throughout the University to educate fundraisers and ensure that potential donors understand the opportunities provided in special events, stewardship programs, alumni programs, fellows programs, parent giving and student fundraising programs;

works with student volunteers, administrators, faculty, and staff to build awareness of these programs. 6. Directs development office staff in planning special events working with student volunteers in planning type of event, timing, venue, invitation and / or promotion, activities or purpose, and anticipated results in order to maximize staff, faculty, administrator and donor experience.

7. Supervises a staff of non-exempt and exempt employees. 8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Minimum requirement of Bachelor’s Degree in related field and six years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skill / Ability 1 :

Ability to develop long-term relationships with high-net-worth prospects, as well as a proven track record of success in personally cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts.

Required Skill / Ability 2 :

Proven skills in managing competing priorities and complex issues creatively and effectively. This may include long-range strategic fundraising, donor development, and volunteer engagement in tandem with the day-to-day administrative work of frontline fundraising.

Ability and willingness to travel, and work some weekends and evenings as needed.

Required Skill / Ability 3 :

Demonstrated ability to motivate and engage through highly effective presentations and communication, including writing.

Ability to meet deadlines and function effectively in an environment demanding a high energy level, discretion, flexibility, and superior work.

Required Skill / Ability 4 :

Proven experience working in an academic environment and staffing senior academic leaders in donor and volunteer meetings and events.

Required Skill / Ability 5 :

Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills :

Proven experience in a complex, matrixed university setting working with alumni and donors. Familiarity with Yale University.

Weekend Hours Required?

Occasional

Evening Hours Required?

Occasional

Drug Screen

Health Screening

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements.

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

The University maintains policies pertaining to COVID-19. All faculty, staff, students, and trainees are required to comply with these policies, which may be found here :

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position.

Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.