Executive Director of Major Gifts and Development Strategy

Executive Director of Major Gifts and Development Strategy

The University of New Haven, founded on the Yale campus in 1920, is a private, coeducational university that has been recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report for academic excellence. Located between New York City and Boston in the shoreline city of West Haven, the University is a diverse and vibrant community of nearly 9,000 students from across the globe. Within its five colleges, students immerse themselves in a transformative, career-focused education across the liberal arts and sciences, fine arts, business, engineering, public safety and public service. More than 100 academic programs are offered, all grounded in a long-standing commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary, project-based learning.

The University of New Haven is seeking a dynamic Executive Director of Major Gifts and Development Strategy to provide strategic leadership to key facets of the University's Major Gift program and Development services. This is a newly created position reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement. The Executive Director of Major Gifts and Development Strategy will oversee up to five Development Officers, setting performance goals and increasing major gift revenue, while establishing fundraising strategies for each School, College and Athletics Department. The position will also work with the Senior Director of Prospect Research and Analysis to maximize prospect qualification, donor engagement and solicitation.

The Executive Director will be a member of the department leadership team and lead the effort to grow the cross-programming efforts of the units and be the creative driver in opening new areas of growth at key engagement points. This position will work closely with the VP and the Associate VP for Principal Gifts to set the department's fundraising strategy, to develop university-wide fundraising initiatives, and to ensure the achievement of campaign goals.

You will :

• Lead the department's major giving ($25,000+) fundraising team including corporate and foundation relations and planned giving to develop both short- and long-term strategies to grow fundraising in their assigned schools / colleges. (Target goal is to expand to a $7.5M Major Gift Program).
• Strengthen relationships with assigned prospects, match donor interests with the University's philanthropic priorities and close gifts with a specific emphasis on major gifts ($25,000+).
• Meet or exceed annual performance goals for substantive activity, dollars raised, and proposals submitted.
• Manage an assigned portfolio of approximately 150 prospects. Strengthen relationships with assigned prospects and complete specific actions to qualify, engage, and solicit them.
• Partner with administrators, Deans, faculty, staff and other volunteers to identify and leverage opportunities to engage prospects within the Schools / Colleges. Stay informed about academic programs and initiatives to connect potential prospect interests with the fundraising needs of the Schools / Colleges.
• As the primary development professional supporting the Pompea College of Business (PCOB), this role, in collaboration with the Dean, will develop and drive an ambitious development and campaign plan for the PCOB. In partnership with the Dean, department leaders, faculty and staff, strengthen and grow the PCOB volunteer base including active involvement in advisory boards.
• Provide leadership in creating a culture of engagement at the University through the growth of existing programs, as well as the creation of new programs.
• Participate as a member of the leadership team and provide consultation to the Vice President for University Advancement.
• Using strong analytical skills and creative problem-solving abilities, work collaboratively with the entire Advancement team to further the goals of the department.
• Lead staff in establishing a strong philanthropic-focused and a supportive work environment. Facilitate, develop, and maintain strategically aligned staff work and accountability plans. Design, implement, and evaluate annual performance measures required for successful engagement.
• Oversee fundraising software system (Raiser's Edge), ensure safety and integrity of database, and work closely with the Business Office and Advancement Services to reconcile records and work with auditors to ensure GAAP.
• Work collaboratively with Advancement Services to ensure the Advancement team has access to available information and data.

You need :

What's In It for You :