Assistant Director of Leadership Annual Giving

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 Assistant Director of Leadership Annual Giving reports to the Executive Director of Annual Giving and works to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward leadership annual giving donors. This position works with the schools, colleges, and unit development teams to create opportunities for increased philanthropic support from its constituents. The successful Assistant Director is a self-starter and problem solver, who is intrinsically motivated, committed to development work, dedicated to Advancement, and a team player. The Assistant Director travels extensively to develop and strengthen prospect relationships with the goal of transitioning them into major gift portfolios. This position can work remotely from the New England region.

Essential Functions

• Manages a pool of prospects comprising alumni, parents, and friends, with the giving potential of $1,000-$25,000. Qualifies new prospects, cultivates, solicits and stewards donors. Develops prospect relationships around donor interests and campus priorities.
• Negotiates to find the right type and amount of gift for the donor.  Focuses conversations on general-purpose, unrestricted gifts, and campus priorities. Deploys LinkedIn and other social media as needed to reach prospective donors.
• Recommends prospects for major gifts tracking. May retain a small number of major gift prospects and manages them as required to secure major gifts.
• Creates and implements successful strategies for leadership annual gift solicitations that 1) retain current and re-engage lapsed donors, 2) grow giving levels of current donors, and 3) increase unrestricted giving to the campus.
• Forms collaborative partnerships with gift officers, staff, faculty, and other members of the UMass Amherst community to create opportunities for increased philanthropic support from constituents.
• Develops and prepares briefing materials and assists in writing and editing of reports, gift agreements and donor proposals.
• 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.

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 2 years of relevant experience in development, or external relations, preferably within an educational institution. Equivalent experience in private sector sales, marketing, financial services, or a related field will be considered.
• 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.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Valid driver’s license.

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

• Knowledge of prospect management systems.
• Knowledge of database fundraising software CS Advance.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Salary Chart

Special Instructions to Applicants

 Please apply online and provide cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Please apply by August 24, 2021 in order to ensure priority consideration. Search may remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

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.

Advertised: Aug 10 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: