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Senior Director of Advancement - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (Extended)

Employer
Northern Illinois University
Location
Illinois, United States
Salary
Salary Commensurate with experience
Closing date
Jul 3, 2021

Department, University, and Community description

 

The Division of University Advancement houses the Northern Illinois University Foundation, which is also an independent 501c3 fundraising organization. We have a dynamic, deeply engaged, thoughtful and fun team who are devoted to ensuring successful fundraising to benefit Northern Illinois University, and to create sustainable revenue streams ensuring the continued success of the Foundation.

 

At Northern Illinois University Foundation, our vision is to develop, support and encourage a culture of giving throughout the NIU community that will allow it to flourish and accomplish NIU’s goal of becoming the most student-centered public research university in the Midwest.

 

The Gift Planning team strives to be a high ROI team that provides the most fulfilling donor experience possible.

 

The ideal candidate is self-motivated, metrics driven, and has a demonstrated track record of high performance. The Senior Director of Advancement will live our value of helping donors discover the joy in making a difference through their philanthropy while making an everlasting impact at Northern Illinois University.

 

NIU is a university that has diversity, equity, and inclusion as one its primary core values. We seek and are strengthened by the diverse perspectives and experiences of our university community members, and we appreciate and respect every member of our community. Being a part of the NIU Huskie family means being an advocate for diversity and embracing inclusive principles.

 

Primary Function

This is a fundraiser position that works within the Gift Planning Team to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual major gift prospects. The primary responsibility is to obtain private major and planned gifts at the highest level. This individual also supports the priorities identified by the university. While the highest priority is to generate charitable gift revenue, this position will focus on securing major gifts of $25,000 or more.

 

Duties and Responsibilities (generally)

This fundraiser position reports to the Executive Director of College-Based Advancement.  This position works within the Gift Planning Team to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual major gift prospects. The primary responsibility is to obtain private major and planned gifts at the highest level. The Senior Director is him/herself an active fundraiser, and in close collaboration with the Dean and Executive Director of College Based Advancement, manages a portfolio of major gift prospects (prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or greater), and plays an important role in high level strategy and fundraising support to academic leadership, especially in campaigns. This individual also supports the priorities identified by the university. While the highest priority is to generate charitable gift revenue, this position will focus on securing major gifts of $25,000 or more. In support of university priorities, the Senior Director may have a blended portfolio if deemed appropriate by the Executive Director.

 

Education and Experience Required

  1. Bachelor’s degree.
  2. Five (5) years of experience with successful major gift solicitation.
  3. Four (4) years of professional experience in a collegiate environment.
  4. Four (4) years of experience in development and alumni relations fields.
  5. A resume and cover letter that speaks to familiarity with the “moves management” approach to major gift fundraising, noting at least five (5) years of experience in major gift fundraising.
  6. Four (4) years of experience working within a matrixed organizational structure where performance responsibilities are evaluated in different divisions.
  7. Three (3) years of management experience.

 

Education and Experience Preferred

  1. Advanced degree.
  2. Capital campaign experience in higher education is highly desirable.
  3. Five (5) years of management experience.

 

List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to the performance of this position.

  1. Demonstrable commitment to the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct in accordance with the CASE Statement of Ethics, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles and Standards, and The Donor Bill of Rights. (Membership not required.)
  2. Deep, personal commitment to diversity in all forms, the recognition of all individuals to mutual respect, and the acceptance of others without biases. Demonstrable commitment to leading by example, modeling diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the university.
  3. Demonstrably strong work ethic and entrepreneurial mentality. A high-level of integrity, focus and commitment to achieve ambitious goals is essential.
  4. Exceptional communication skills, both verbally and in writing, as there will be strong interactions with both internal and external constituents.
  5. Commitment to the ideals and culture of higher education.
  6. A proven ability to build strong relationships anchored in trust and integrity.
  7. The ability to effectively work in a group/team environment to assist in intra-divisional initiatives.
  8. Ability and desire to engage in face to face relationship activities, primarily through the scheduling of one-on-one appointments with donor prospects who have never been engaged with NIU.
  9. Business proficiency in Microsoft Office software including Word, Access and Excel, including the tabulation of budget figures, creation of scenario planning tools and merging files; experience in enterprise systems for event and scheduling management.
  10. Knowledge of and familiarity with appropriate foundation fundraising tools. Knowledge of computerized systems of donor record keeping, data tracking of prospects, and donors.
  11. Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
  12. Excellent attention to detail.
  13. The ability to synthesize multiple sources of information.
  14. Ability and willingness to travel, sometimes extensively; and to work extra hours, nights and weekends to ensure the job is done exceptionally well; Ability to work autonomously, as well as manage several constituents.
  15. The ability to think critically and strategically; capable of taking responsibility for specific goals within designated time frames. Capable of coordinating multi-task initiatives to successful conclusion.
  16. A flexible attitude and clear ability to modify and adapt as situations and conditions change, as well as a resilience with regard to the rigors of public higher education and the increasing pressure of resource constraints.
  17. A proven ability to build strong relationships anchored in trust and integrity.

 

Minimum Pay Rate: $9,166.68/month ($110,000.16/year); Actual hiring rate is commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity; position includes a robust benefits package to eligible applicants

 

Application Materials and Process:

 

  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Cover Letter that speaks to the following aspects of experience, as listed in the education and experience requirements:
    1. Years of experience with successful major gift fundraising.
    2. Years of experience in development and alumni relations fields.
    3. Developing diverse engagement strategies, populations and philanthropic planning.
    4. Years of professional experience in a collegiate environment.
    5. Working within a matrixed organizational structure.
    6. Management experience.
  • List of three references
  • Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)

 

For full consideration, please upload and submit application materials at https://www.niu.edu/work-at-niu/advancement/senior-director-clas.shtml by July 15, 2021. Interviews may occur before the priority review date, however all applications received by the priority review date will receive full consideration. Applications received after the priority review date will be considered as needed. For questions, please contact Melissa Nigro, mnigro@niu.edu.

 

Northern Illinois University is an AA/EEO institution. Pre-employment background check and verification of eligibility to work in the United States is required.

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