Director of Development, International

Lehigh University

Lehigh University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Lehigh University provides comprehensive benefits including partner benefits.

Responsible for leading the University's strategic international fundraising effort through the engagement of alumni, parents, friends and select foundations and corporations in key international locations. The Director manages a portfolio of highly-rated prospects and donors, helps prospects and donors build relationships with key University leaders, serves as a partner with the Office of International Affairs and seeks strategic opportunities to bring their mission to new audiences. The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community.

1. Develop and execute a data-driven, strategic international fundraising plan that leverages all available University partners, including colleagues from the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), staff from the Office of International Affairs (OIA), academic leaders and other campus partners whose work can be supportive of, and benefit from, a cohesive international fundraising strategy
*Become knowledgeable about historical giving and engagement data to evaluate success and future opportunities in international markets
*Work with Alumni Relations partners to understand how an international fundraising plan aligns with the broader goals and work of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations to fully engage our international constituencies; identify areas of coalescence and develop mutually beneficial strategies
*Assist with the execute of an annual strategic plan, leveraging all available resources, including digital means, to fully engage international prospects and donors in the University's mission and goals
*Build close working relationships with key University partners, including staff in OIA and the international admissions team; gain a deep understanding of how the University recruits and supports international students
*Work with the director of the parents program to determine individualized strategies aimed at engaging and soliciting highly rated international parents

2. Build and manage a diverse portfolio of donors in key international markets
*Solicit and close philanthropic gifts from international prospects for the University's highest philanthropic priorities, including but not limited to, giving opportunities within OIA
*Develop an international major and principal gifts pipeline; align activity toward advancement of gift conversations and closure of gifts
*Track and report all activity within the DAR database of record; update biographical and other information to ensure maximum data integrity
*Gain an understanding of Lehigh's long-standing international partners and donors; build and execute on strategies to steward those closest to the University, with an eye toward their future engagement and philanthropy
*Using data to inform decision making, visit key international markets, focused on qualifying new prospects, advancing philanthropy conversations, and building a network that supports broader University strategies within the region
*Assist with evaluating the need for the development of vehicles that would facilitate giving to Lehigh in select international markets
*Serve as a lead resource for international alumni, parents, prospective students and parents and other possible international partners during visits to campus; prepare briefings and other materials ahead of visits as needed and ensure follow up steps are taken to advance relationships
*Assist with facilitating the development of relationships between key international prospects and senior University leaders; prepare briefings, follow up correspondence, proposals and other documents; attend meetings as appropriate; participate in strategy meetings to help advance relationships

3. Serve as a key institutional partner with, and advocate for OIA
*Meet regularly with the vice president and vice provost for international affairs, as well as staff within the office, to gain a detailed understanding of the ways in which OIA's mission and work support the strategic vision of the University
*Work with OIA leadership to develop philanthropic opportunities to support the Office; help the OIA team articulate those priorities in written documents, letters, digital correspondence and in preparation for one-on-one meetings
*Serve as the chief advocate for OIA's philanthropic priorities within DAR, helping colleagues deepen their own understanding of these priorities; strategize with colleagues and develop a pipeline of prospects who may have an interest in supporting the work of OIA
*Work to gain an understanding of which elements of OIA's work might resonate in different markets around the world; build strategies in partnership with DAR and OIA leadership to execute on those region-specific strategies
*Seek out and recognize new opportunities to bring the mission and work of OIA to new markets around the world

Grade: 11 40

Position Number: S80980

Special Considerations

The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor

This position is funded by hard dollars

This position is responsible for driving university-owned vehicles as a routine function, therefore a valid Driver's License and a good driving record is required

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in any Communications or Liberal Arts related field or equivalent combination of experience and education; Master's Degree preferred

Three to five years related work experience

Four years or more experience in foundation fundraising a plus

Excellent communication (written and oral), interpersonal skills and a high level of customer service required

Ability to build, foster and maintain positive professional relationships

Excellent organizational skills, time management and sound judgment, ability to work independently

Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and a high degree of initiative for bringing tasks to completion

Solid analytical, decision making and problem-solving skills

Solid computer skills with experience using word processing, spreadsheet and database software

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position

Because of increasing COVID case counts in the region and new information about the characteristics of the Delta variant, all Lehigh faculty and staff will be required to be fully vaccinated unless they receive an approved medical or religious exemption from the requirement.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.

#DF

PI176678759