Executive Director for Advancement - School of Law

The University of Missouri seeks highly qualified applicants for a senior leadership role of Executive Director for Advancement in the School of Law. The Executive Director for Advancement will direct a portfolio of individual & corporate/foundation major-gift prospects, develop annual advancement plans for the college, and foster relationships that lead to gifts in support of the school. The Executive Director will collaborate with the dean, department chairs, and MU Advancement to secure six/seven/eight figure gifts and serve as the primary steward for the college. This leader will build, shape, and manage a team of two. Direct team culture and provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and inspiration to the School of Law Advancement Team.

Champion a work environment to support the School’s commitment to compassion and inclusive excellence

Drive the fundraising and alumni/stakeholder engagement efforts within the School in conjunction with the Dean and MU Advancement

Proactively identify prospective individual and corporate/foundation donors to secure $50,000+ gifts

Create the School’s annual advancement plan and oversee the development, implementation, and management

Strategically partner with the School’s Marketing and Communications team to ensure consistent and effective message alignment for all stakeholders

Steward genuine relationships with the donors, alumni, partners, and stakeholders of the School

Serve as the MU Advancement liaison with the Law School Foundation

Manage an individual portfolio of major-gift donors ($100,000+), make substantive and meaningful contact (including phone, video, and face-to-face visits) with them, and successfully present major-gift proposals

Identify leadership giving prospects with a strong sphere of influence and affluence resulting in major leadership gifts (six/seven/eight figures)

Passionately serve as the primary liaison to MU Advancement and the School’s leadership, students, faculty and staff building meaningful relationships and lasting connections

Interpersonal:

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build and foster a culture of trust, influence internal and external stakeholders, and network effectively in-person and digitally

Build consensus and resolve conflict while leveraging Mizzou Advancement’s commit to a culture of excellence through teamwork, passion, and engagement

Value the principles of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity while actively fostering a living, learning and working community where everyone is valued and inspired to reach their full potential

Business:

Ability to think strategically, synthesize broad information and communicate across all levels

Intentionally and purposefully sets priorities and shifts processes, resources, and capital

Propels aggressive results through proven business acumen and innovative thinking

Analyzes team, donor, & college needs and proposes forward-thinking solutions

Quickly masters new technical and business knowledge while using effective strategies to facilitate organizational change initiatives and overcome resistance to change

Competencies:

A passion for the mission of the University of Missouri, Mizzou Advancement, and the School of Law

Self-starter and strong sense of urgency, continuously motivates and inspires others to action

Intellectually curious & takes initiative to capitalize on opportunities

Entrepreneurial spirit and able to generate excitement to build fruitful working relationships with colleagues and donors

A compassionate and empathic leader, thoughtful of environment, organizational cultures, and dynamics

Self-aware with an accurate reflection of strengths and areas for improvement and is willing to growth and thrive

Demonstrates leadership in difficult situations and uses effective management tactics, including mentoring, professional relationships building, and feedback channels

Annual Goals & Metrics

$2 Million Dollars Raised

12-15 Major Gift Proposals Presented ($100K and above)

8-10 Major Gifts Closed ($50K and above)

110 + Substantive Written Communications (Email, Letter, or Text)

90 + Substantive Visits (Phone, Virtual, or In-Person)

20-25 Evaluation Visits

At the University of Missouri Office of Advancement, we invest in our employees. Once you join our team, you will participate in the Discipline of Frontline Fundraising (DFF) program with Plus Delta Partners, a 9-month series of fundraising workshops and 1:1 skill building. Ensuring you have the tools to succeed is an Advancement priority. Your success as a gift officer will have a direct and lasting impact on Mizzou and the priorities of the campaign.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 7 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications Our team knows that fundraising is a special niche, which is why we are open to transferable skills! If you have experience that translates to fundraising, tell us about it in your cover letter. These skills include, but are not limited to, sales, finance, consulting, non-profit work, higher education experience, etc. We are excited to learn more about you and your experiences.  

Preferred candidates will have a master’s degree, a minimum of seven years of fundraising in a university setting, reliably closing $2+ million annually; supervisory and communications experience in higher education or a non-profit environment; and fundraising in an academic setting.