Assistant Director of Advancement
Saint Joseph’s University
Assistant Director of Advancement
Position Summary:
The Assistant Director of Advancement is responsible for the discovery, cultivation and solicitation of prospects for University priorities at the major gift level ($50K and above) as well as those with leadership annual gift capacity [individuals who make gifts between $1,000 and $10,000 annually]. Prospects will be assigned based on identified segments that the University focuses on for engagement. The Assistant Director will be part of a matrixed team that focuses on increasing all levels of engagement for segments (e.g. volunteering, event attendance, donors).
The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio focused on identified segments comprised of major gift prospects that have the capacity to make a major gift to SJU (i.e. $50k+) but need to be qualified for their intent as well as a sizeable pool of leadership annual giving prospects.
With respect to the pool of major gift prospects needing to be qualified, the Assistant Director will be asked to move these prospects through the Donor Engagement Process [DEP] with guidance from their supervisor and colleagues.
With respect to the pool of leadership annual giving prospects, the incumbent will be responsible for conducting personal outreach and securing high-end annual fund gifts to secure necessary unrestricted gifts to the University. This personal outreach will also include recruiting and managing volunteers to support Saint Joseph’s Fund initiatives (e.g. crowdfunding, day of giving) and assisting in driving messaging to secure donors in mass marketing initiatives (e.g. direct mail for those segments)
While the ultimate goal is to secure a face-to-face visit or zoom meeting with these individuals, if that is not in the offing, the Assistant Director is asked to personally solicit these individuals for high-end annual gifts [between $1,000 and $10,000] and secure volunteers through email or some other form of personalized outreach.
The Assistant Director will focus on several key metrics and goals:
- Total personal contacts made
- Individual visits [in person or virtual]
- Total cash dollars raised from their portfolio
- Total major gift prospects qualified
- Total major gift dollars raised
- Total number of Barbelin Society Donors from their pool
- Total number of volunteers recruited
- Total undergrad donors from segments they focus on
- They will also receive credit for assisting other gift officers
The Assistant Director will be supported by a first-rate experienced team and fundraising support process designed to help them learn how to be a successful individual gifts fundraiser. As part of this support system the incumbent will engage in a state-of-the-art fundraising training program. Additionally, they will be mentored and guided by their supervisor who is a Director of Major Gifts and has direct experience in the field. They will also partner with the Saint Joseph’s Fund team and be supported by our prospect management system and staff.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage a portfolio of 25-50 major gift/ major gift rated prospects that need to be qualified– engaging, cultivating, qualifying, and soliciting these individuals annually as appropriate.
- Manage a portfolio of up to 500 high-end annual fund, soliciting annual fund gifts determining if there is major gift inclination
- Work with their supervisor to create and implement a comprehensive action plan that incorporates strategies for each assigned prospect based on the gift cycle. Continuous update of the plan as necessary, utilizing the Donor Engagement Process. (DEP).
- Complete personal visits with minimally 150 prospects each year.
- Generate a minimum of $100K-$250K in new revenue annually.
- Recruit and manage volunteers to support Saint Joseph’s Fund initiatives (e.g. crowdfunding, day of giving).
- Maintain a working knowledge of University-wide funding priorities and communicate those priorities in a compelling way.
- Work with and staff alumni and leadership committees as assigned.
- Involve manager, leadership, faculty and volunteers in fundraising and engagement efforts with specific prospects as appropriate.
- Actively communicate and collaborate with Alumni Relations, events and stewardship teams to coordinate regional activities as well as to make and take referrals.
- In addition, have fun, work hard, support and encourage fellow colleagues.
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
- Ability to travel outside Philadelphia region
- Evening/weekend hours required, especially during academic year
Minimum Requirements:
- An undergraduate college degree from an accredited, four-year institution is required.
- One year of experience (which could include internship experience) with relationship management (fundraising, alumni relations, admissions or sales) or an equivalent combination of education and experience, are required.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational, oral and written communication skills
- Proven ability to self-motivate as well as work as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in higher education fundraising
On-line applications only. Please provide a letter of application/interest and resume. For a complete description of position responsibilities, qualifications, and to apply, please visit: https://jobs.sju.edu/postings/18685.
Saint Joseph's University is a private, Catholic, and Jesuit institution and expects members of its community to be knowledgeable about its mission and make positive contributions to that mission. Saint Joseph's is an equal opportunity employer that seeks to recruit, develop and retain a talented and diverse workforce.
EOE M/F/D/V