Director of Development

Division of Advancement

Director of Development

Major Gifts, Principal Giving and Gift Planning

Lynne Marie S. Jones, CFRE

ABOUT BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY

Binghamton University has built a reputation as a world-class institution that combines a broadly interdisciplinary, international education with one of the most vibrant research programs in the nation. Binghamton is proud to be ranked among the elite public universities in the nation for challenging our students academically, not financially. The result is a unique, best-of-both-worlds college experience.

Our academic culture rivals a first-rate private university - rigorous, collaborative and boldly innovative -- while our campus culture exemplifies the best kind of public university experience: richly diverse students, active social life and deep engagement with the community.

Our students, both undergraduate and graduate, work one-on-one with an exceptional faculty that includes innovative scientists and groundbreaking scholars. They take advantage of special academic opportunities like combined degrees, foreign language study groups and an unparalleled international education program.

POSITION SUMMARY

Budget Title:  Senior Staff Associate (SL-5) – Director of Fundraising

Salary: $80,000 - $115,000, commensurate with experience

The Office of Major Gifts, Principal Giving and Gift Planning is seeking a highly motivated, articulate and experienced self-starters with a commitment to public higher education for the position of Director.  This is a key University advancement position that will serve as a full partner with colleagues from the Division of Advancement, the Binghamton University Foundation and the campus community to advance the mission of Binghamton University by building lifelong relationships with its alumni and friends, inspiring support for its strategic initiatives, and stewarding its resources.

The selected candidate will establish and foster enduring relationships with a vast range of constituents by partnering with them in their philanthropy and securing private support for University priorities through the solicitation of major outright and, perhaps deferred gifts.

ADVANCEMENT POSITION DESCRIPTION: DIRECTOR, MAJOR GIFTS

The Director is a highly motivated fundraising professional responsible for soliciting financial support from alumni and friends in support of Binghamton University priorities. This position will work closely with staff in the Advancement Division and University leadership developing and cultivating relationships and soliciting gifts with a particular emphasis on managing a portfolio of individuals who have the capacity and likelihood to make gifts outright gifts of $100,000 and above as well as deferred gifts.

JOB RESPSONBILITIES

• Act as philanthropic partner in a comprehensive major gift, principal giving and gift planning program for the University by facilitating active relationships for assigned prospects while endeavoring to match University funding needs with prospects’ interests. Involve colleagues, faculty and staff in strategy development and prospect activities to foster multiple points of contact for each prospect.
• Effectively build and manage a major gift portfolio of individual prospects.
• Design qualification, cultivation and solicitation strategies for each assigned prospect based on research data and information gathered.
• Plan, execute and document detailed activities (in-progress tasks) in software systems - including personal meetings, phone calls, and written communications that deepens the relationship of a prospect with the University and move them, in a timely manner, from one stage in the development cycle to the next.
• Conduct personal meetings with prospects for the purpose of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Articulate the vision, mission, goals, core values and priorities of the University to its constituents.
• Understand and communicate to donors the various ways to give (including current, deferred, endowed, and in-kind gifts) and document commitments according to established policies and procedures.
• Maximize giving potential and provide consistent contact with all assigned prospects.
• Work with colleagues in Advancement to prepare written proposals, gift agreements, and other documents and materials needed to define, secure and document major and deferred gifts.
• Collaborate and maintain productive relationships with colleagues and leaders across campus and key campaign volunteers, as appropriate.
• Prepare projections and portfolio updates, as requested by leadership.
• Follow and adhere to budget guidelines for effective and efficient use of University resources.

QUALIFICATIONS

• The successful candidate will be a proven gift officer who believes in the public higher education mission of Binghamton University; is results- and people-oriented, and possesses a strong work ethic and superb attention to detail; and, have proven communication skills with an ability to write and speak persuasively about the role of educational philanthropy.
• The final candidate will also be a self-motivated, self-directed and highly organized individual who will promote a productive, collegial relationships and be a professional ambassador for Binghamton University.

Required

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum two years of experience in personal solicitation of charitable gifts. Knowledge of philanthropic techniques and strategies, and demonstrated ability to solicit and close gifts. Solid understanding of the principles and practices that underlie major gift fundraising, preferably at a public or private higher education institution. Campaign and gift planning experience is highly desirable.
• Belief in the mission and strong ethical conduct.
• Ability to inspire trust and confidence, and communicate effectively with internal and external audiences.
• Proven track record of achieving fundraising goals and initiatives. Strong fundraising experience with demonstrated ability to manage relationships with donors and successfully solicit and steward six-figure gifts.
• Self-motivated, results oriented, and able to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively on all forms of major public transportation within the state and country.
• Ability to actively listen to donors and faculty/staff to identify areas of common interest and to develop a compelling case for the University.
• Ability to qualify donor prospects and build major donor portfolio.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively autonomously and cooperatively as a team in a large and complex organization.
• Exceptional interpersonal, relationship-building, organizational, analytical, verbal and written communication skills.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership skills.
• Discretion with confidential information.

Preferred

• Experience in, knowledge of and interest in gift planning techniques and vehicles.
• Experience in a higher education environment.
• Experience with fundraising software.

Additional Attributes

• Personal value system that encompasses a solid work ethic, conscientiousness and ability to forge productive relationships.
• Quick-learner, self-starter, and self-motivated.
• Positive, enthusiastic, professional image in representing the University and Foundation, both internally and externally.
• Results-oriented with a strong donor-centric focus.
• Ability to work under time pressures with multiple priorities and deadlines with accuracy.
• Deep commitment to upholding the University values of identity, excellence and unity.

TO APPLY

https://binghamton.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp;jsessionid=C345865C87D736223288241C41D1EBCB?JOBID=166653

Additional Information:

Note: Offers of employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and verification of degree(s) and credentials.

Payroll information can be found on our website http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/new-employees/new-faculty-staff.html

Binghamton University is an equal opportunity employer which bases its employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service or any other status protected by the laws of the State of New York. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.