Associate Director of Development, College of Engineering

Associate Director of Development, College of Engineering

University of Massachusetts Amherst

About UMass Amherst:

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary:

The Associate Director of Development for the College of Engineering works to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts as determined by the needs of the Engineering development program. This position manages a prospect pool of 100+ individual prospective donors capable of making major gifts. The Associate Director works closely with the Assistant Dean and other Engineering development officers to create opportunities for increased philanthropic support from constituents, with primary focus on those managed within the prospect pool. This position includes the possibility of working remotely from Eastern Massachusetts.

Essential Functions:

• Builds and manages an appropriate portfolio of donors capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more to the college. Develops and carries out effective strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors while completing a significant number of face-to-face visits, proposals, and other strategic contacts per year. Consistently conducts the donor cultivation work and planning necessary to have a robust pipeline of major gift proposals.
• Works with the Assistant Dean to feature prospects in meaningful engagements that build stronger relationships with constituencies. Recommends prospects for volunteer positions, including advisory boards, regional engagement and development committees and other opportunities at the university level.
• Provides excellent briefing, follow-up, and other support materials that include prospect strategy, meeting objectives, and next steps, to the dean and other university leaders who meet with assigned prospects. Writes and edits reports, gift agreements and donor proposals. Works with communications staff within the college and the university to feature prospects.
• Follows development procedures with regard to prospect management and documenting contacts. Submits appropriate prospect pool fundraising reports, metrics, and results. Responsible for timely entry of visits, proposals, event attendance and other appropriate fundraising activity.
• Attends on and off campus alumni events and engagements in which assigned prospects are present, and as requested by the Assistant Dean.
• Promotes university priorities and image to constituents. Maintains current knowledge of institutional priorities. Proactively anticipates and responds to donor inquiries.
• Works with the Gift Planning team on potential planned gifts identified in the cultivation of major gift prospects.
• Stewards assigned donors through ongoing communications, recognition activities, invitations to key events, and interaction with beneficiaries of their support. Carefully records donor intentions when securing gifts and processes all appropriate documentation. Works closely with Records and Gift Processing staff to ensure timely updating of record changes. Maintains performance goals and standards for Associate Director of Development as specified in the Prospect Assignment, Tracking and Management Guidelines.

Other Functions:

• Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet department, and university goals and objectives.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure):

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in a development program, preferably within an educational institution or equivalent experience in private sector sales, marketing or related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of volunteer relations, the vital importance of public higher education and the breadth and complexity of a major research university.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work and interact respectfully within a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• Previous experience working with senior level executives.
• Skilled in using current office technology, including remote connection software (Zoom, Skype).
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure):

• Knowledge of prospect management systems.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

Typical office environment.

Additional Details:

This position includes the possibility of working remotely from Eastern Massachusetts.

Work Schedule:

• Typical work week is Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.
• Required to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary, on short or limited notice.
• Required to travel independently, 50% of the time or more, within the United States.

Salary Information:

PSU Level 29

Salary Chart

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Along with your application, please submit a resume and cover letter by the priority deadline of February 16, 2021. The position may remain open until filled. 

For more information, or to apply, please visit: https://careers.umass.edu/amherst/en-us/job/507220/associate-director-of-development-college-of-engineering

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.