Director of Institutional Advancement

Reporting to the President, the Director of Institutional Advancement will be responsible for strengthening relationships with and engaging Rio alumni, faculty, staff, donors, interested individuals, family foundations and corporate and private foundation funders to advance the mission and vision of Rio Grande. The Director is responsible for planning and executing all aspects of contributed private income strategies (including annual giving, major gifts program, planned giving program, and corporate and foundation grants), and will continuously monitor performance and outcomes of fundraising efforts, and recommend and implement improvements to support these initiatives.

A member of the President’s Executive Staff, the Director will also work closely with members of the University and Community College Boards of Trustees, local business and civic leadership, and a dedicated Alumni Council, and represent the University on the Board of Trustees Institutional Advancement Committee.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, oversee and implement strategies to grow revenue through annual fundraising, major gifts and grant funding.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major donor prospects for the University, engaging the President, Board and volunteer leadership in this process.
• Employ and track MOVES management strategies to promote donor giving with time allocated for direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Oversee, manage, and update endowed scholarship portfolio of over 400 privately endowed scholarship stipulations totaling over $1.25 million.
• Research and write grants to corporate, private and family foundations; confer with faculty & staff whenever necessary in this process; build relationship with fund representatives
• In partnership with the President, Board of Directors and Rio Alumni, build and sustain relationships with current, new and potential major donors through the development of a comprehensive stewardship program.
• Provide the President and Board of Trustees with an ongoing financial analysis of fundraising strategies and direct strategy adjustment(s) as necessary to achieve goals.
• Review, update, develop and document policies and procedures for all advancement activities and the endowment; implement a training program for compliance.
• Serve as a transformational and adaptive leader with an ability to actively listen to all stakeholders, building long-term and continuous donations from a variety of constituents.
• Oversee and maintain all advancement budgets.
• Lead appropriate internal committees and University Board of Trustees Institutional Advancement Committee.
• Prepare briefing materials for the President, trustees and staff.
• Utilize Blackbaud/Raiser’s Edge and develop ways to maximize its potential to collect and use data for friend raising and gift management.
• Work with businesses within Ohio and beyond to develop long-term partnerships and increased corporate donations.
• Work with the President in cultivating foundation relationships, and prepare proposals for prospective funding.
• Advise the President on when it is appropriate and necessary to travel to meet donors and appearance at planned events.
• Create partnership with other institutions of higher learning and organizations to leverage the long-term success of the advancement agenda.
• Manage, attend and promote alumni events and programs including alumni travel, networking, reunions, professional development, alumni chapters, alumni awards and other special events that support Institutional Advancements’ mission and goals.
• Promote events that encourage alumni, student, and/or parent involvement including preparing promotional materials.
• Identify, train and coordinate alumni volunteers and leaders.
• Prepare, edit and disseminate regular and purposeful correspondence to alumni; mail, email, social media, newsletter, etc.
• Maintain and update alumni database. 

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree required with at least three to five years’ professional experience in advancement, communications, or similar function.
• Proven record of success in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gifts from individuals.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to manage short-term and long-term plans and goals with a record of achieving results.
• Demonstration of leadership in building and implementing development systems and structures to support significant growth.
• Proven track record of significant results in grants writing and major gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Solid, persuasive verbal and written communications skills.
• Strong knowledge of, and commitment to, principles, ethics and practices of successful fundraising.
• Computer literacy and competency with electronic donor tracking and reporting systems such as, Raisers Edge, Prospect Research, etc.
• Proven ability to motivate and work with board members, development staff, contract employees, colleagues, donors and volunteers to meet or exceed annual fundraising goals.
• Understand the confidential nature of fundraising efforts and donor information and uphold those confidences.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a small organizational structure.
• Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends (as needed).
• Strong commitment to the mission and purpose of the University of Rio Grande preferred.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Qualified applicants must send a cover letter, resume, transcripts (unofficial accepted for application purposes), as well as the names and contact information of at least three (3) professional references, to the attention of Chris Nourse, Vice President of Human Resources. For full consideration, application materials must be submitted through the University's online applicant tracking system.    Review of applications will begin immediately.  Position is open until filled. Background check and official transcripts required prior to hire.   For additional information about Rio, please visit: www.rio.edu
  The University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College is America's unique private/public institution of higher education designed to provide learners the opportunity to attain a high-quality, high-value education. Our personalized, learner-centered environment promotes successful lives, careers, and responsible citizenship. The campus of the university and community college is nestled in the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio, and is adjacent to the original Bob Evans Farms and Homestead in Rio Grande. Rio is an Equal Opportunity Employer