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Director of Development, Fine Arts Center

Employer
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Location
Massachusetts, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Closing date
Feb 3, 2022

View more

Position Type
Fundraising, Donor Relations
Fields
Academic Centers, Arts
Employment Type
Full Time

Director of Development, Fine Arts Center

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA

 

Job no: 511509
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Development
Union: PSU
Categories: Advancement/Fundraising

 

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 Director of Development for the Fine Arts Center (FAC) works to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts in support of the FAC. Reporting to the Director of the FAC and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Constituent Programs, this position manages a prospect pool of approximately 80+ prospective donors capable of making gifts of $25,000 or above. The Director of Development works closely with the FAC Director and other FAC staff to create opportunities for increased philanthropic support from constituents, with primary focus on those managed within the prospect pool. This position promotes both the Fine Arts Center’s and UMass Amherst priorities, presents a positive image to constituents, and advances the University’s, the Fine Arts Center’s, and Advancement’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Telecommuting options may be available for this position.

 

Essential Functions

  • In partnership with the FAC Director and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Constituent Programs, and with input from senior FAC staff, analyzes, forms, and implements fundraising plans for the Fine Arts Center.
  • Builds and manages an appropriate portfolio of individual donors, corporate sponsors, and charitable foundations capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more to the FAC. 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, gift commitments, and other strategic contacts per year. Consistently conducts the donor cultivation work and planning necessary to have a robust pipeline of major gift proposals.
  • Prepares written proposals, informational materials, endowment agreements, gift illustrations, and other materials needed to secure major gifts. Participates cooperatively in the university’s prospect management and tracking system.
  • Manages and provides leadership for the development support staff within the FAC. 
  • Works with the FAC Director to feature prospects in meaningful engagements that build stronger relationships with constituencies. Recommends prospects for volunteer positions, including advisory boards, regional engagement, 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 Director and other university leaders who meet with assigned prospects. Writes and edits reports, gift agreements, and donor proposals. Works with communications staff within the FAC 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 FAC Director.
  • Promotes university priorities and image to constituents. Maintains current knowledge of institutional priorities. Proactively anticipates and responds to donor inquiries.
  • Ensures close coordination with all relevant central development, and alumni relations offices, including corporate engagement, foundation relations, gift planning, principal giving, annual giving, alumni relations, and others through close collaboration with the Directors of these central offices.

 

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 4 years of professional development experience, with demonstrated fundraising success at the major gift level (five- and six-figures).
  • Demonstrated understanding of volunteer relations, the vital importance of public higher education, and the breadth and complexity of a major research university.
  • Excellent communication and writing skills critical for communicating with a diverse audience, including internal leadership and external donors.
  • Sound judgment and strategic decision-making skills with proven ability to think creatively and reach logical conclusions based on the information available.
  • Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize activities to maximize productivity and efficiency, accomplish goals and meet deadlines.
  • 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 advancement strategies including best practices related to development at institutions of higher education.
  • Knowledge of prospect management systems.
  • Demonstrated track record of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts within an arts or cultural organization.

 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

 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 and internationally.

 

Salary Information

Salary commensurate with skills and experience.

 Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with your application, please submit a resume and cover letter here by January 18, 2022 to ensure consideration. The position may remain open until filled. 

 

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.

 

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