Associate Director of Development, Natural Sciences

The ASU Foundation (ASUF) fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact.   

The associate director of development, for natural sciences is a proven and forward-looking fundraising professional who understands how to generate philanthropic support for ASU from multiple stakeholders – individuals and organizations and who will work collaboratively with the ASU Foundation for A New American University (ASUF) and with academic leadership in the college. 

The associate director will work in a highly collaborative division within The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences working directly with the leadership team for Natural Sciences. The principal activity of this professional development officer is to be externally focused, with responsibility for engaging a portfolio of individuals, corporations, and foundations that have a potential affinity with ASU. The associate director’s effectiveness will be evaluated on the ability to achieve financial goals and contact metrics consistent with the programs and prospects assigned. The director reports to the ASUF director of development for natural sciences in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  This position will focus on both annual and major gift fundraising in support of the division of Natural Sciences. 

What you'll do:

• Proactively manage a portfolio of major gift ($25,000+) prospects regionally and nationally, developing and executing strategies leading to solicitation and investment that leverage the donor’s interests and connect them to ASU’s opportunities

• Develop, coordinate, and execute a comprehensive fundraising program for the purpose of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting annual, major and planned gifts from individuals

• Work with development colleagues, volunteers and academic leaders to identify, cultivate and solicit annual, major and planned gifts

• Develop a strong working relationship with the Dean of Natural Sciences and the chairs, directors, and faculty members in the division of Natural Sciences

• Assist Natural Sciences units with all aspects of development, including the creation of unit development plans

• Develop and submit written proposals, budgets, and other collateral materials as needed for securing philanthropic investments

• Responsible for core personal fundraising metrics, including face-to-face visits, growth in cumulative giving from the prospect portfolio, donor retention, major gift proposals submitted, and new gifts and commitments

• Travel when necessary to execute strategic development plans for regional and national major donor prospects

• Participate, as a member of the ASUF development team and serve as a resource to development colleagues regarding fundraising opportunities

• Ensure proper stewardship and recognition of donors in portfolio

• Use the ASUF prospect management and tracking system (ADVANCE) to record and coordinate contacts and proposals

• Work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment with complex and evolving relationships and priorities

• Other duties as assigned

What you'll need:

• Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information

• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing, and by phone

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team 

• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible

• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies

• Ability to represent the institution well

• An advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University

• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties

• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects

• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of development/fundraising, preferably in higher education

• Self-starter able to secure personal appointments and qualify new prospects

• Demonstrated achievement in securing philanthropic investments

• Ability to travel nationally when necessary to engage and solicit major prospects

• Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer database systems such as Salesforce

• Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building and moves management approach leading to successful gift closure

• Demonstrable experience in donor relations plans leading to additional investments

• Ability to work a flexible schedule to include early mornings, evenings and weekends to accommodate meetings and events 

• Ability to meet demanding work schedule expectations

Relevant Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or currently enrolled in bachelor's degree program, or willingness to enroll in a bachelor's degree program and 3-5 years’ successful professional development.

Benefits:  

• Hybrid work schedule. We work from home on Mondays and Fridays! (edit as needed) 

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance 

• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution 

• 22 days of vacation time 

• 11 holidays, including your birthday 

• Parental leave 

• Significant tuition reductions 

• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest 

• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement 

At ASU Enterprise Partners: 

We serve. 

We serve the faculty and staff of ASU to bring them resources so they can do all the great things that they do. 

We innovate. 

We’re always looking for new ideas, new solutions, new approaches and new ways to address the challenges facing ASU. 

We engage. 

We engage our donors, philanthropists, investors and partners, connecting them to ASU and helping them share their time, talent and treasure. 

We care. 

When we serve, innovate and engage, it shows that we care — about faculty, staff, donors, fellow employees and other partners as we bring resources to ASU. 

ASU Enterprise Partners and its subsidiaries is an equal opportunity employer that is firmly committed to promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within our organization and throughout our sphere of influence. Because we embrace a spirit of innovation and achievement, we will endeavor to maximize the talent and potential of all employees, directors, and volunteers through bold and strategic action aimed at building success and a sense of belonging. All employees are expected to act in good faith to support these actions and to not impede the efforts of others to build a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization.