Sr. Director of Advancement - Regional Advancement (Chicago)

Mizzou Advancement is looking for the connectors, the believers that all things are possible when passionate people come together for a common goal.

Are you that person? If so, come and join a growing team of connectors who are building a brighter future for the University of Missouri, an institution on the rise as it takes a stronger foothold in research and health care to address today’s grand challenges. Mizzou is a place where Big Ideas are taking hold. Advancement finds the Big Dreamers that make it all possible.

We present an exciting opportunity with the Regional Advancement team. The Senior Director of Advancement will join an enthusiastic and energetic team committed to connecting Big Ideas and Big Dreamers. The ideal candidate is a seasoned, independent-working, motivated individual who will use best fundraising practices to bring donors together for the greater good through the University of Missouri.

Best practices to identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit and steward prospective and current donors, alumni and friends of the University with a philanthropic capacity of $50k and higher will lead this candidate to success. This experienced candidate, with a proven record of securing major and planned gifts, is expected to have a high level of annual productivity for contacts, visits, proposals presented and closed.  Through a collaborative approach, this candidate will partner with Advancement colleagues in the schools, colleges and programs to coordinate strategy and planning.

This is a non-supervisory remote position based in the Chicago area and will work out of their home within the territory. Regular trips to campus (minimum of 4) to engage with Advancement and campus colleagues are required. This position will report to the Executive Director of Regional Advancement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, evaluate, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective, current and past donors through personal visits and various types of direct communication
• Foster meaningful relationships to cultivate and solicit major and planned gifts at the $50,000 level and higher through a portfolio of 60-100 individual donors.
• Approximate annual metrics for a Senior Director level position are:
  • Minimum $2M+ raised
  • 12-18 proposals presented; 7-15 closed
  • 100-125 substantive visits (15-30 evaluation visits)
  • 125+ substantive contacts
• Manage regular correspondence and proposals with prospective donors
• Successfully manage a portfolio of 60-100 individual donors, creating a strategy for moving them through the charitable giving process.
• Responsible for contacting donors to request visits and coordinate meeting arrangements.
• Coordinate individual travel and manage travel budget and expenses.
• Work collaboratively and communicate effectively across campus with unit Advancement colleagues, deans/leadership, faculty and staff as well as central Advancement colleagues in Planned Giving, Donor Relations, Mizzou Alumni Association, Mizzou Annual Fund, and Corporate and Foundation Relations.
• Use a data-driven approach for researching prospects and tracking communication.
• Assist with and participate in donor activities and events in territory.
• Provide input and leadership in the development and implementation of advancement goals and objectives and assure alignment with the University’s priorities, mission, vision and values.
• Seek out and engage in professional development opportunities to increase skills and knowledge of fundraising.
• Participate in Advancement staff meetings, prospect strategy meetings, case management, annual planning, and regular check ins/progress updates toward goals.
• Assist with training new staff through joint travel and mentorship.