Director of Philanthropic Planning and Outreach
Heidelberg University

ApplyDescription

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, Alumni, and Community Relations, the Director of Philanthropic Planning and Outreach develops programs and strategies to identify, cultivate, track, and solicit alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and friends of Heidelberg for gifts to fund institutional priorities. The Director of Philanthropic Planning and Outreach carries a portfolio of up to 150 prospects, in order. This position will also be knowledgeable in estate and planned giving and will be a significant contributor to the planning, organization, and strategic implementation of other key initiatives to secure ongoing financial resources for the university.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, Alumni, and Community Relations. Works closely with the University President as needed. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: The Director of Philanthropic Planning and Outreach is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and successfully soliciting prospects to support key institutional objectives. They work collaboratively with AACR staff as needed for successful outcomes on specific projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represents Heidelberg University in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key major, legacy, and estate gift prospects by helping donors accomplish their philanthropic goals while supporting the strategic needs of the institution.
• Works with AACR team members and other campus partners in the overall success of Heidelberg University fundraising.
• Acts as primary manager for a portfolio of up to 150 prospects, to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure, maintaining a balance between discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Identifies, educates, and recruits key volunteers for reunion-year fundraising.
• Works on special initiatives in support of the Heidelberg Strategic Growth and Action Plan Campaign in addition to future campaigns.
• Develops solicitation strategies to meet short- and long-term major gift program objectives.
• Develops marketing strategies with a focus on planned giving.
• Completes appropriate stewardship activities.
• Utilizes systems and software (Ellucian Banner and Crescendo) to track and cultivate donors and prospects.
• Monitors weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual activity to achieve individual performance measures (e.g. meetings, proposals, major gift revenue).
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Associate Vice President.

CORE VALUES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Core values - models leadership values of integrity, honesty, humility, transparency, respectfulness, diversity, caring, loyalty and accountability in all work. * Intellectual dynamism - demonstrates mental sharpness, capability and agility.
• Self-knowledge - gains insight from successes and mistakes.
• Personal learning - seeks feedback and counsel to improve managerial behavior.
• Peer relationships - encourages collaboration and cooperation across the organization.
• Teamwork - performs most effectively as a hard-working member of a team.
• Constituency focus - completes work to meet constituencies' expectations and requirements.
• Community focus - brings a spirit of enthusiasm and energy to the campus and town.

Requirements

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Professional Experience:

(A) Bachelor's degree; and,

(B) Five (5) to seven (7) years successful experience of demonstrated fundraising success.

Preferred Education and Experience:

(A) Master's degree; and,

(B) Eight (8) or more years successful experience of demonstrated major gift success ($ 25,000+) in a higher education setting or compatible experience in a related field; and,

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of all aspects of fundraising.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Skill in cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts with a high degree of integrity and diplomacy.
• Exceptional motivation and creativity.
• Ability to engender confidence, enthusiasm, and promote support of Heidelberg University constituencies.
• Ability to develop and present well-developed strategies, proposals, and implement effective courses of action in prospect solicitation.
• Ability to travel as needed or required, work evenings and / or weekends as needed.
• Ability to relate to diverse cross-sections of individuals.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Knowledge of operation and use of various office equipment including, but not limited to: personal computer, including spreadsheet and word processing software, integrated database software, fax machine, copier, telephone, scanner, and printers. Employees in this position must have a valid driver's license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use arms, hands and fingers to operate and manipulate equipment generally found in an office setting. The employee may be frequently required to be mobile, communicate, and hear. The employee may occasionally be subject to a variety of outdoor environmental conditions including heat, cold, and precipitation. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Mental demands include occasional varied degrees of occasional stress while performing job duties. The Major Gifts Officer is expected to complete 150 personal visits annually, which requires extensive travel and the ability to work from remote locations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office setting, and educational facilities including sports and entertainment venues, all of which may be indoor or outdoor. The noise level in the work environment will range from moderately quiet to occasionally loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES: The Director of Philanthropic Planning and Outreach will be selected after a formal application procedure, education and experience rating, oral interview, and reference check. Job related tests may be required. All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background screen, motor vehicle record search, drug and alcohol screen, physical and / or psychological examination at the University's discretion.

APPROVAL and EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

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