Director of Development

Director of Development

University Job Title: Director 3, Development
Bargaining Unit: None - Not included in the union (Yale Union Group)
Time Type: Full time
Duration Type: Regular
Compensation Grade: Administration & Operations
Wage Ranges: Click here to see our Wage Ranges
Work Location: Central Campus
Worksite Address: 157 Church Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Work Week: Standard (M-F equal number of hours per day)
Searchable Job Family: Administration
Total # of Hours to be Works: 37.5

Position Focus:
Reporting to the Associate Dean for Alumni Engagement and Development, the Director of Development will manage their own portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, and devise-- in close collaboration with the Associate Dean and other School and University colleagues--strategic fundraising plans to secure gifts for high priority fundraising initiatives. The Director will also oversee a small team of frontline fundraisers, ensuring that the team is actively and successfully identifying, cultivating, soliciting assigned prospects, raising funds in support of priority initiatives, and collaborating with colleagues across AED, YLS and Yale University to complete their work.
The Director will build a reputation as a reliable internal and external partner and ambassador for Yale Law School by demonstrating a deep understanding of the School and its priorities; possessing an exceptional understanding of fundraising best practices; and achieving and exceeding assigned performance metrics. The successful candidate will possess a growth mindset, be resilient and adaptable, and support the office's culture of collaboration and excellence.
The Director will:
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more to Yale Law School philanthropic priorities, at times in partnership with the Dean of Faculty, Associate Dean, or Yale Law School faculty members.
Assist AED in securing alumni contributions at all levels when traveling to select geographic regions.
Develop, deliver, and execute actionable plans (to include objectives, strategies, tactics, timelines, and measurable metrics) for securing private philanthropic support that advances YLS initiatives and special projects.
Manage frontline staff, including setting strategic annual fundraising goal for the team and for members of the team, monitoring and managing progress and performance against those goals, and mentoring and advising team members.
In conjunction with the Director of Volunteer Engagement, lead the annual establishment of solicitation goals and fundraising plans for reunion classes, including defining reunion giving goals, and participating in the coordination of peer solicitations.
Utilize the University's Blackbaud CRM, Hopper, to document all planned and completed prospect interactions and strategies.
Utilize metrics, reporting, and analytics to regularly communicate to the Associate Dean effectiveness and progress of fundraising efforts, adjusting plans in real time to maximize results and return on investment.
Actively manage a YLS prospect pool of approximately 100 individuals, foundations, and corporate entities.
Personally complete 100 prospect visits each fiscal year.
Participate in the development and execution of plans for strategic prospect engagement for the Dean.
Support open communications among team members, engage in team-building efforts and participate in meetings and retreats that embrace and support AED's Purpose, Values, and Culture.
In partnership with the Prospect Management and Research team, Identify, assess, and engage new prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more for YLS initiatives.
Participate in the development of gift proposals, gift agreements, and other donor materials as needed.
Represent the School at regional and on-campus events.
Work strategically with volunteers to encourage them to build bridges and utilize their networks to help Yale Law School and the University develop stronger relationships with other prominent alumni, parents, and friends.
Provide support for reunion giving and related activities as needed.
Other duties as assigned
The Principal Responsibilities listed below are generic in nature. Applicants will find the detailed responsibilities listed in this Position Focus to be the most relevant to the position.

Essential Duties:
1. Directs the efforts of the Development office and its staff to create and promote opportunities for communicating the needs and priorities of assigned departments, schools, and divisions to potential donors; formulates and develops programs to identify and cultivate prospective donors. 2. Directs development activities including: cultivation and solicitation events; proposal preparation; donor visits with staff and faculty; stewardship events; special exhibits and events, etc. that promotes and recognizes donors. 3. Directs and monitors development of prospect donor lists in collaboration with the research department; develops policies and procedures related to identification of needs and priorities of specific schools or department; creates opportunities for donors to support the needs of the various schools and departments. 4. Oversees and ensures schools are well-served in one or more of the following: prospect research, donor stewardship, development for major gifts, annual fund programs, and alumni relations function. 5. Directs, leads, coaches, and motivates development officers throughout the University to educate fundraisers and ensure that potential donors understand the opportunities provided in special events, stewardship programs, alumni programs, fellows programs, parent giving and student fundraising programs; works with student volunteers, administrators, faculty, and staff to build awareness of these programs. 6. Directs development office staff in planning special events working with student volunteers in planning type of event, timing, venue, invitation and/or promotion, activities or purpose, and anticipated results in order to maximize staff, faculty, administrator and donor experience. 7. Supervises a staff of non-exempt and exempt employees. 8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:
Minimum requirement of Bachelor’s Degree in related field and six years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Ability to develop long-term relationships with high-net-worth prospects, as well as a proven track record of success in personally cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Skills in managing competing priorities and complex issues creatively and effectively. This may include long-range strategic fundraising, donor development, and volunteer engagement in tandem with the day-to-day operations. Ability to meet deadlines and function effectively in an environment demanding high energy, discretion, flexibility, and superior work.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Demonstrated ability to motivate and engage through highly effective presentations and communication, including writing.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Success in managing frontline fundraising staff. Experience working in an academic environment and staffing senior academic leaders in donor and volunteer meetings and events.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Ability and willingness to travel, and work some weekends and evenings as needed.


Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:
Experience in a complex, matrixed university setting working with alumni and donors. Familiarity with Yale University.

Drug Screen: No
Health Screening: No

Background Check Requirements:


COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement:
Thank you for your interest in employment at Yale University. Please also note that the university has a https://covid19.yale.edu/covid-19-vaccination-policy "> COVID-19 vaccination and booster requirement for all students, staff & faculty which is described in the https://yalehealth.yale.edu/yale-covid-19-vaccine-program"> COVID-19 Vaccine Program. As you search our open positions, you will see that all postings list their on-site addresses which gives more detail on the on-campus work location of the role.


Posting Disclaimer:
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

To apply, visit https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?partnerid=25053&siteid=5248&PageType=JobDetails&jobid=1571739



Yale is a tobacco-free campus.


jeid-cd0e3d04521fe04fa2de5bf6eec29acb