Description
The Director of Development will collaborate with the Executive Director, other personnel of the National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD) and representatives of the University of Arizona Foundation (UAF), to lead, direct and manage the national development activities of NICD. This shall include, but not be limited to: cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospective major gift donors, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources. The emphasis of the position is to secure financial resources that can be directed toward sustaining and growing NICD, its people and programs. This position is subject to coordinated oversight by the National Institute for Civil Discourse and the University of Arizona Foundation as specified in the Development Services and Asset Management Agreement dated June 1, 2014.
Supervisory Responsibility:
- Development Administrative Assistant
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:
- Actively work with the Executive Director and senior staff to create and implement a comprehensive national development strategy that supports NICD’s priority initiatives.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward all major donors to NICD.
- Has primary responsibility for development and execution of all proposals, and monitoring reporting requirements and deadlines.
- Work effectively as part of the greater UA Development Team as defined in the Development Services and Asset Management Agreement between the University of Arizona and the University of Arizona Foundation.
- Utilize the common systems, policies and procedures adhered to by UA Development Team
- Effectively communicate NICD strategy and priority initiatives to potential major
- Oversee research of funding sources and trends in order to position and advise NICD, UA and UAF leadership on new funding trends and opportunities.
- In consultation with the joint supervisors, draft an annual development plan that projects anticipated development activity for the fiscal year.
- Engage NICD’s National Advisory Board members as donors and sources of potential donors, fundraisers, and ambassadors.
- Develop and oversee the creation of materials in support of university fund-raising efforts on public policy.
- Monitor, grow, and mentor NICD’s development
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Specific Job Skills:
- Experience creating and leading a comprehensive – and ideally, national - fundraising strategy.
- Experience identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding high level individual donors.
- Experience building and stewarding relationships with philanthropic foundations.
- Experience building boards and committee
- Experience writing proposals, grants, and reports.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to engage and influence a wide range of donors and build long-term
- Ability to work collaboratively with across teams and geography OR highly independently, as the situation demands.
- Ability to understand and work with budgetary procedures and policies.
- Ability to work with academic and administration staff
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university program AND;
- Seven to ten (7-10) years’ experience designing, managing and directing a comprehensive fund- raising program or equivalent in a public, private or non-profit sector.
- Knowledge of and enthusiasm for public policy and
- Demonstrated success in planning, organizing and managing fund-raising
- Demonstrated event planning experience.
- Demonstrated in expanding donor base and cultivating existing relationships.
- Understanding of public policy and funding opportunities.
- Direct experience meeting with prospects and donors, including asking for gifts.
- Experience in higher education.
- Experience working with volunteers.
- Proficiency with Raiser’s Edge fundraising database or other database software, and Microsoft Office
- Knowledge of Adobe software including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign helpful, but not required.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
Work Environment:
- Travel will be required up to 50% of the time and may involve local, statewide and national
- The Director of Development will be required to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary to cultivate and solicit donor prospects.
- This position may be located in NICD’s Tucson, AZ or Washington, DC offices.