Senior Director, Parent Philanthropy & Major Gifts

Senior Director, Parent Philanthropy & Major Gifts

Bryant Group continues our partnership with the Clemson University Foundation to recruit the Senior Director, Parent Philanthropy and Major Gifts for Clemson University.

The Opportunity
Clemson University Foundation and the Advancement Division seek an experienced fundraiser comfortable working directly with university leadership to build and evolve the parent philanthropy program at Clemson University.

The successful candidate will be responsible for building and leading the university’s parent giving program to unprecedented levels of success related to the university’s fundraising goals, campaign and beyond. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Senior Director is responsible for the overall growth, leadership and strategic direction of the parent gifts program, enhancing engagement with high-capacity parents of the university's current and former students. The Senior Director will work collaboratively with colleagues across Advancement while leading the parent philanthropy team, providing guidance and direction and ensuring team effectiveness.

Essential Job Functions

• Fundraising: Managing a dynamic portfolio of 150 prospects, with a personal fundraising goal of $1.5 million or higher on an annual basis.
• Strategic Collaboration and Facilitation: Build productive relationships across the university with administrators, faculty and staff to gain fluency in the priorities and excellence of the colleges, schools, units and areas of Clemson University to articulate giving opportunities to prospective donors.
• Division/University Leadership and Engagement: Establish strong partnerships and relationships with administrators and division/university leadership to develop, interpret and align priorities of the Parent Philanthropy Program with donor goals/interests.
• Team Management and Supervision: Lead the parent philanthropy team in raising money for the university’s highest priorities, including establishing and monitoring specific activity goals for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding non-alumni parent prospects, and overseeing volunteer engagement and parent events.

Position Requirements
The successful candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree and have at least six years of progressive experience in fundraising, with a proven track record of soliciting gifts of $100,000 and above. Experience with management of staff and working in parent philanthropy is preferred.

About Clemson University
Clemson University is a public four-year research university in Clemson, South Carolina founded in 1889. Clemson hosts more than 80 undergraduate majors and 130 graduate degree programs. Classified among the most active research institutions as an R1 research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, Clemson is also ranked among the best in the nation according to the 2023 edition of US News and World Report. Clemson is where purpose-driven students, faculty and staff begin the work that will shape our culture and our future. In fiscal year 2023, a total of 37,857 donors contributed 101,674 gifts to compose $216,909,099 of philanthropic giving in support of Clemson University.

Clemson University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical condition), national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information, or any other personal characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law. Clemson University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from minorities and women.

Location
Clemson's campus is tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and on the shores of Lake Hartwell. Space abounds with 17,500 acres of Experimental Forest land that includes hundreds of miles of recreational trails and access to hiking, biking, sailing, swimming, kayaking and more. While there is a small-town feel of community and safety, urban living is right around the corner. A 30-mile drive takes you to Greenville, South Carolina, one of the fastest-growing communities in the country. And with Clemson just off I-85, you are only two hours away from Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Application Procedure
To be considered for the Senior Director, Parent Philanthropy & Major Gifts opportunity, please submit your letter of interest, including a paragraph about your experience in parent philanthropy, and resume in confidence to:

Katie Riecke,
Search Consultant, BRYANT GROUP
kriecke@bryantgrp.com

Priority will be given to materials received prior to October 1, 2023.