Director of Development, School of Education and Social Policy

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/14

For full consideration, please submit a cover letter with your application

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $140,000 to $148,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

About Alumni Relations and Development

Alumni Relations and Development appreciates that the collective sum of our individual differences, experiences, knowledge, and self-expression is crucial for our success. We strongly invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply and to participate fully and authentically in our workplace.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet 100% of the preferred qualifications.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Alumni Relations and Development is committed to genuine inclusion. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Elizabeth Frisch at efrisch@northwestern.edu. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Northwestern will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential job responsibilities.

Job Summary

The Director of Development will serve as the Chief Development Officer managing the overall fundraising efforts for the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP). The Director of Development forms a strong partnership with the dean to develop a philanthropic vision, fundraising strategies, and donor outreach to meet, solicit and close major gifts.

Senior fundraising position with management responsibilities. Designs and implements innovative programs to identify prospective major and/or principal gift donors. Devises and executes plans to qualify, cultivate, steward and solicit donors. Collaborates with central gift officers to ensure an emerging prospect pool for the school/unit. Builds and adapts programs to a point of sustainability. Collaborates with various teams (e.g. Annual Giving, Gift Planning, Regional Major Gifts, Gift Acceptance and Fund Management) in Alumni Relations and Development.

Strategic Planning

• Creates and leads in cooperation with the dean a coordinated program of fundraising activities designed to increase the number and level of major and/or principal gifts donors.
• Develops and executes strategies in cooperation with the dean to involve campus leaders, alumni, friends, and volunteers to identify and cultivate new individual, corporate, institutional and/or foundation prospects.

Collaboration

• Reviews and proposes strategic alliances, joint ventures and key collaborations with department and other University partners to identify opportunities to integrate University strategic plan goals.
• Oversees and coaches team members regarding department collaborations.
• Please bullet examples of key partnerships and work involved below:
• Major Gifts
• Gift Planning
• Gift Acceptance and Fund Management
• Schools and Programs
• Dean and school administration
• School faculty

Prospects and Gifts

• Identifies and personally solicits high-profile, and/or extremely complex major gifts of $100,000+ prospects annually.
• Oversees continuous research, development and up-to-date knowledge on prospects and works with other areas to coordinate contacts.
• Works with ARD colleagues to close gifts for SESP.
• Works with the dean to cultivate, solicit, and close gifts.
• Requires travel throughout the region or country

Events

• Oversees development and management of events and programs designed to expand constituent and participation.
• Reviews and approves event plans and summaries ensuring that overall goals and objectives are attained.
• Works directly with high-level volunteers and donors to ensure that event objectives are met.

Administration

• Oversees administration of school development operations.
• Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines for tracking and maintenance of contact and progress reporting.
• Coordinates appointments and prepares materials used by senior management, Board and volunteers for meetings, visits, events or phone calls made to high-profile prospects.
• Oversees administrative support management to ensure effective team success and daily operations.
• Partner with school business/operations staff for collaboration and efficiency
• Strategically manage a department budget (ARD) to minimize expenses while maximizing return.

Supervisory

• Supervises 1 or more staff.
• Provide training to staff within or outside of immediate dept or division in regard to function.
• Lead, coach and evaluate performance of direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or appropriate combination of education and experience
• 8 years development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.

Minimum Competencies

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Analytical thinking and complex planning & problem solving;
• Global/organizational perspective;
• Comfortable with change and associated ambiguity
• 5Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge, work experience, and genuine appreciation for higher education in areas of education, policy and/or learning organizations
• Experience in positions of increasing responsibility in fundraising at a college or university with a comprehensive development program;
• Fundraising and/or campaign experience at a multi-faceted institution
• Interaction with deans, faculty, other academics in a fundraising capacity

Preferred Competencies:

• Demonstrated leadership ability to develop strategic plans, implement programs, organize, initiate, and motivate.
• Sound organizational ability, a high degree of energy creativity and initiative; the ability to project the unique aims and values of Northwestern to its donors and alumni.
• Success in gift closure at the six-and seven-figure level
• Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors.

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The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.