Senior Director of Development, Pacific Northwest

Job Description

The University of Connecticut is a top-ranked national university and health-system with its flagship campus in idyllic Storrs. Designated a Carnegie Research 1 institution, UConn is the state land- and sea-grant university charged with education, research, and service to the state and nation. The University serves 32,000 students across seven campuses, 8600 first-in-family students, and boasts 25 national championships. UConn Health is a top-ranked health provider located in Farmington and delivers award-winning medical education, research, and hospital and clinical services to 1.3 million patients a year.

With record-applications, back-to-back Mens Basketball National Championships, and a strategic location equidistant from Boston and New York City, UConn is poised to continue its meteoric rise as New Englands top public University guided by a new strategic plan.

To meet the strategic objectives of the University, UConn Foundation is embarking on a historic campaign to support the Universitys trajectory. With students at the forefront, the campaign will also elevate faculty, groundbreaking research, sustainability, and a thriving community on campus that fuels the state. We seek the top talent in the country to join Husky Nation and invite inquiries and applications. We are committed to a caring and inclusive work culture, professional and leadership development, and flexibility for high achievers with a passion for higher education.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that will value your unique experiences and identity. We recognize that a true commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requires ongoing education and action, and we strive for continued growth each and every day.

Were looking for dedicated professionals to drive success and excellence and exemplify our values of integrity, empathy, kindness, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Development, Pacific Northwest, is a front-line fundraiser position remotely based in the Bay Area and is responsible for managing a comprehensive leadership and major gift program for the Pacific Northwest. The Senior Director is responsible for growing fundraising from UConn alumni and parents in the region. They will collaborate with the alumni relations and principal giving teams to support engagement in the area and grow a culture of philanthropy among constituents in the region. They are committed to successfully advancing the campaign in the region and raising crucial funding for programs that align with the Universitys ambitious strategic plan. The Senior Director is responsible for setting and executing ambitious personal fundraising goals and growing the pipeline of relationships in the Pacific Northwest. The Senior Director reports to the Executive Director of Development for Regional Giving. The Senior Director regularly collaborates with the Deans, University, and Foundation colleagues to achieve goals and elevate the profile of the University in the Pacific Northwest. The Senior Director is responsible setting priorities for leadership travel to the area and staffing the University and Foundation President and other leaders in meetings and at events. The Senior Director is an expert on the Pacific Northwest region and the UConn constituency in the area.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage a prospect portfolio of 50-75 prospects rated at $500k .
• Raise $3-7M per year.
• Conduct 10 qualification meetings at 500k level; 12 solicitations at the $500K level; and 100 face-to-face, meaningful meetings per year.
• Collaborate closely with donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify new prospects.
• Perform administrative duties related to advancement work Including documenting activity, writing proposals, inputting engagement plans in relationship management database, and adhering to Foundation policies.
• Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the Division/Departments development staff, by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven environment.
• Develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising priorities within the campaign and articulate compelling cases to advance these priorities.
• Model and articulate the Foundations organizational core values at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Major, Leadership, and Principal Gift Fundraising

Demonstrate the ability to personally solicit gifts of $500,000 and above, while advancing the number and quality of principal ($5 million and above) gift conversations in partnership with the principal gifts team.

Potential Donor Discovery

Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to increase and grow the major gift pipeline and overall fundraising success of the unit.

Engagement

Collaborate with Stakeholder Engagement to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development management meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Required Experience

Key Competencies

• Champion for inclusion and diversity both internally and externally.
• High level of motivation, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• The ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
• Familiar with the use of computers and information management tools, such as CRMs (Blackbaud).
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor information; ability to represent the UConn Foundation to prospects, donors, faculty, administrators, and others.
• Ability to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.
• Attention to and concern for others.
• Must be willing to travel extensively. Reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
• Must possess a valid drivers license issued from the state in which the employee resides. Employees must maintain at their expense, automobile liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a combination of umbrella and automobile liability insurance coverage of $500,000. A certificate of automobile insurance evidencing the limit, must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.
  
  

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7 years of experience as a major gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferrable skills.
• Competence in Microsoft Office suite and donor management systems.
  
  

Salary

The expected salary for this position is $123,000 . It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule (typically two days per week in office), you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.
  
  

Keyword: Senior Director of Development, Pacific Northwest