Regional Advancement & Reunion Major Giving Senior Director

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Fundraising

• Manage Reunion Portfolio: Oversee a portfolio of 125+ reunion prospects, including 30-40 larger reunion major gift ($100k+) prospects.
• Drive Major Gift Pipeline: Maintain and grow the reunion major gift pipeline to support and exceed team metrics.
• Exceed Metrics: Ensure aggressive goals are met by actively managing prospect engagement and cultivation.

Fundraising strategy

• Develop Major Gift Strategies: Design and implement approaches to solicit donors capable of contributing significant major gifts, including support for the capital campaign.
• Execute Prospect Plans: Plan, manage, and execute personalized strategies for each prospect to maximize engagement and contributions.
• Stewardship Leadership: Ensure thoughtful stewardship of donors, maintaining strong relationships to sustain long-term support.

Prospect Management

• Travel within designated regions to initiate and/or strengthen Build Prospect Relationships: Cultivate and strengthen connections with major gift prospects through personalized engagement strategies.
• Engage Key Stakeholders: Travel to collaborate with key volunteers, faculty, university leadership, parents, and alumni to support major gift efforts.
• Identify New Prospects: Work with Advancement colleagues to research and uncover new major gift prospects each year. Managing relationships with prospects that include University Deans, Department Chairs, and Faculty.

Strategic Planning

• Resource Development: Partner with internal and external stakeholders to secure resources aligned with the vision set by university leadership.
• Strategic Collaboration: Work with senior leaders, deans, department chairs, volunteers, and key faculty to develop and manage effective prospect strategies that advance school priorities.
• Program Success Oversight: Serve as an advisor to the Assistant Vice President of Regional Advancement, ensuring the success of the overall reunion gift committee program.

Leadership Project Work-Reunion Engagement and Gift committee Specialist

• Track and Evaluate Progress: Develop comprehensive reports to monitor and measure reunion engagement and gift committee outcomes effectively.
• Present Key Updates: Regularly share reunion fundraising and gift committee progress and insights with internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate on Fundraising: Partner with colleagues and external supporters to identify and secure significant reunion-focused gifts.
• Mentor and Train Partners: Provide training and ongoing support to help partners plan, solicit, and successfully engage major reunion gifts prospects.
• Drive Reunion Success: Act as a resource and mentor, ensuring alignment and effectiveness across all reunion fundraising efforts.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Due to the fluid nature of the University’s Advancement’s projects and priorities, other assignments arise on a frequent basis.  These projects will be assigned on an individual basis, with communication among all University advancement and alumni relations staff to ensure successful completion. Takes part in assigned collaborative, interdepartmental projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree 7 years required
• Master’s degree preferred
• A minimum of seven years of development experience at a college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Experience successfully cultivating, managing, and stewarding volunteer committees preferred.
• Candidate must demonstrate a track record of success in individual fundraising, and experience in cultivating and soliciting prospects of $50,000 or more required. 
• Other attributes needed are the ability to: plan, implement, and analyze alumni solicitations; work effectively with alumni, faculty, leadership, and community members; ability to work in a team environment; ability to set goals strategically and oversee execution with persistence required.
• The successful candidate will have strong computer skills and experience in Microsoft Office software and be able to learn prospect management systems required. 
• The Senior Director must be flexible, have the ability to maintain a high energy level, and a desire to work on a high-performing team required. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication-verbal, written and organizational skills are required.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.