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Director/Senior Director of Advancement, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Employer
University at Buffalo
Location
New York, United States
Salary
Competitive Salary
Closing date
Jun 18, 2021

View more

Position Type
Fundraising, Major Gifts
Fields
Academic Centers
Employment Type
Full Time

University Overview

UB is a premier, research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence and making a positive impact on the world.  Home to more than 31,000 students, the university is consistently recognized as one of the world’s most exceptional and most affordable universities, making it a top choice for students and faculty around the globe. Here, students and faculty work died by side, seeking knowledge that leads to new cures, improved processes, stronger materials, faster computers, smarter software, smaller machines and thousands of other innovations.  Building strong connections with our 275,000+ alumni and donors worldwide is critical to fueling UB’s future, which includes the aspiration to be situated in the Top 25 of American public universities. Through the $1 billion Boldly Buffalo campaign, the Division of University Advancement is leading that charge by helping foster a new UB environment that broadens opportunities for alumni engagement, capitalizes on positive student experiences and builds philanthropic support.

Position Summary

Under the general leadership of the University at Buffalo’s Senior Associate Vice President for Advancement, the Director/Senior Director of Advancement, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, is responsible for helping to advance a comprehensive program that successfully meets the University’s goals for short and long-term private support.  Duties and assignments include, but are not limited to identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects and donors capable of gifts of $100,000 or more, including individuals in early-stage cultivation and/or with whom the university has little to no relationship.

This position is an exciting and challenging opportunity for a highly motivated and goal-oriented professional who is eager to participate in the evolution of the fundraising programs at the University at Buffalo. The Director/Senior Director will join a team of individuals who are focused on ensuring sustainable philanthropic growth commensurate with the needs of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences by engaging alumni and friends, soliciting prospects and stewarding donors in a professional and collaborative manner.

Desired candidates are those that seek a challenging and results-oriented opportunity within a complex, diverse and multidisciplinary organization. Candidates with a strong track record of goal-achievement, a passion for higher education and research, and who are intellectually curious about people and their philanthropic passions are encouraged to apply.

Duties and Responsibilities

70% of activity

  • Works closely with the Senior Executive Director and colleagues in the Division of University Advancement, as well as the dean, faculty, and key volunteers to pursue a coordinated and strategic program of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift prospects and donors for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

 

  • Develops and manages a donor/prospect portfolio of individuals capable of making gifts of $100K+, including individuals in early-stage cultivation and/or with whom the university has little to no relationship.

 

  • Maintain a regular schedule of visitation, primarily outside of the Western New York region.

 

  • Meet or exceed expectations for annual performance metrics including number of visits and solicitations presented and closed.

 

  • Document contacts and strategies through the use of the prospect tracking module of the Advance Web system, the in-house database for gift recording/reporting and all donor/prospect information.

 

  • Adhere to the policies and procedures for accepting, recording and acknowledging gifts.

15% of Activity

  • Participates as a full member of the University Advancement team, attending full staff meetings, gift officer meetings, professional development activities, and other staff meetings as appropriate.

 

  • Supports strategic operating plans for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences as directed by the Senior Executive Director; establishes coordinated goals and implements programs to meet goals, and development policies and priorities.

 

  • Provides staff support for Dean’s Advisory Council and additional school departmental councils on development-related issues, as requested.

 

  • Recruits and manages volunteers when appropriate.

 

  • Participates in School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and university events to cultivate relationships with donors, prospects, key volunteers, and all internal partners.

 

  • Pursues professional growth activities with the approval and support of the Senior Executive Director. 

15% of Activity

  • The Director/Senior Director supervises the Assistant/Associate Director(s) of Advancement.

 

  • Other duties as assigned.

 

Reporting Relationships
The Director/Senior Director of Advancement reports to the Senior Executive Director of Advancement for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and works collaboratively with other professionals and staff to maximize the philanthropic potential of UB’s schools and programs.

Key Qualities for Successful Fundraising

The Director/Senior Director must be results-oriented with professional characteristics that include leadership, commitment to confidentiality, flexibility, team-orientation, organized with an attention to detail, high-energy, optimism, and unquestioned professionalism.  The Director/Senior Director will be adept at strategically guiding philanthropic conversations and developing and stewarding philanthropic relationships.  The Director/Senior Director must have the ability to use digital technologies in all aspects of the role; information, communication, and basic problem-solving skills, and be data centric in their approach to achieving success.  The Director/Senior Director also must be able to articulate the mission and goals of a public institution of higher education. 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • A minimum of five years (Director) or a minimum of seven years (Senior Director) of fundraising or comparable revenue-generation experience, including personal solicitation and proven success in goal achievement;
  • A minimum of three years of management or other comparable experience such as mentoring, coaching, leading workgroup;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal skills; an intellectual curiosity; the ability to deal with complex concepts and ambiguity as well as to negotiate conversations/details;
  • Technical/digital competence;
  • Demonstrated commitment to collaboration as well as the ability to work well both independently and collectively with a diverse team and donor/prospect constituency;
  • Excellent judgement, listening skills, and diplomacy;
  • Ability to travel up to 55% of the time (primarily beyond the borders of WNY) and to work evenings and on occasional weekends.

 

The University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities. The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic University community committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.

UB offers highly competitive salary and benefit packages for its advancement staff.

For more job information and directions on how to apply, please visit our website at:

https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu. Only applications received through UB Jobs will be considered.

Posting # U2100025

Quick link to apply: https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/28679

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