Director of Development

Title: Director of Development, SOE and CAS
Type: Hybrid

Location: Washington United States

Job Description:
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.

The Director of Development is a major gifts fundraiser for the School of Education (SOE) and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at American University. The Director of Development is responsible for achieving aggressive fundraising, solicitation, cash, proposal and visit goals, which are set annually. This position manages a prospect portfolio of 100+ active rated prospect households and is responsible for closing gifts of $50,000+. The Director of Development is expected to personally manage these relationships to cultivate, solicit, close gifts, and steward donors, as well as identify and qualify new prospects. Additionally, this position will play a role in engaging and cultivating families, corporations, and foundations in support of SOE, CAS, and the University’s mission and fundraising priorities. Domestic travel is required in this position to personally engage alumni and secure funds for SOE, CAS, and American University. The Director of Development serves as a key member of the SOE external relations team and as an ambassador of the school and shares the responsibilities of managing the SOE Dean’s Board of Advisors as well as managing donor-focused events.

Essential Functions:

1.) Major Gift Fundraising and Stewardship

• This position is responsible for identifying, qualifying, visiting, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding donors to raise major gifts for the School of Education, the College of Arts and Sciences and American University.

• Personally manages key relationships with 100+ rated households / prospect entities ($50,000+) in an active portfolio.

• Responsible for meeting aggressive fundraising, visit, solicitation, cash, and pledge goals, which are established annually, with minimal supervision.

• Works closely with Advancement colleagues, university leaders and faculty and staff, to achieve campaign goals; has a key role in managing the Dean’s Board of Advisors and strategic events and projects to advance SOE and CAS development goals and priorities. 

2.) Prospect Management

• Work in concert with University Advancement colleagues, including particularly close collaboration with the Planned Giving Team, and Office of Prospect Research & Management to conduct entrepreneurial prospect identification and qualification.

3.) Reporting and Recording

• Conducts timely updating of reports, recording strategic moves and other activities in CRM database, updating portfolio status.

• Ensures accurate documentation of all donor interactions, proposals, and event participation to support effective stewardship and reporting efforts.  

4.) Other Duties As Assigned

• In support of the broader objectives of the Associate Vice President for Development and the Vice President for Advancement.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• May supervise student workers.      

Competencies:

• Acting Strategically.

• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.

• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.

• Prioritizing and Organizing.

• Serving Customers.

• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.

• Displaying Creativity.

• Developing Plans.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-Time.

• 35 hours per week.

• Seasonal evening and weekend work for scheduled SOE and University events and programs.

Salary Range:

• $100,000-$120,000 annually.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

• 5-8 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 8-10 years of relevant experience.

Additional Information:

• Employees in the School of Communication are required to work on campus in a full presence modality for the first month of their employment.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite.