POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Senior Director of Development
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1773
GRADE 45
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Executive Director of Development
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Senior Director of Development (SDOD) serves as an advancement leader, major gifts officer, and integral team member of the MSU Foundation Development team. The Senior Director of Development works with alumni, friends, businesses, and other key constituent prospects to solicit and close five and six-figure and above major gifts to Missouri State University. The Senior Director of Development works closely with University administration and appropriate faculty of the University to cultivate potential donors. The Senior Director of Development exercises discretion and independent judgment in determining which donors and prospects in their prospect pool to approach based on prospect research, determining how to approach each potential donor, whether the potential donor would be more receptive to a formal written proposal or a verbal proposal, discussing options for potential outright and/or estate gifts, ways of giving, negotiating the policies and procedures for administration of their gifts, determining when travel to meet with donors is appropriate, exercising budgetary authority over the their travel and development budget, etc. The Senior Director of Development supervises the Director of Leadership Annual Giving and may be called upon to provide instructional training and/or mentorship to the Development team and/or other University Advancement staff.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree is required. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: At least three years of successful higher education fundraising experience with a demonstrated track record of major gift fundraising success is required. A history of outstanding fundraising performance as measured by industry standard metrics is required. Documented effective and efficient cultivation and solicitation skills of five- and six-figure gifts are required.
Skills: A demonstrated ability to excel in prospect pipeline management resulting in engagement and major gift donations is required. Must be a self-started who requires very little supervision to succeed. Strong organizational and leadership capabilities are required. Exceptional interpersonal skills with all age groups are required. Strong oral and written communication skills are required. Exemplary organizational skills, particularly planning, setting deadlines, and evaluating progress, are required. Computer literacy, particularly in word processing, using Internet resources, and using databases, is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Experience working effectively in a diverse environment is preferred.
Effort: Occasionally required to lift and carry boxes of materials and equipment weighing 25-50 pounds.
Other: The scope of the job requires travel as well as attendance at evening and/or weekend activities, meetings, events, seminars, and workshops and visits to donors in their homes and offices.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assures long-term financial support for University priorities by meeting or exceeding fundraising metrics through qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors and prospective donors for major and planned gifts, managing a rated prospect list of at least 125-150 major gift donors and prospective donors, and developing cultivation and solicitation plans for prospects.2. When assigned by the college to act as a resource for the Dean and Department Heads, consulting on questions related to development activities in the College, conducting scheduled meetings with the Dean to understand the fundraising priorities of the College, communicating those priorities to University Advancement staff, prospects, and donors, participating in select College meetings, serving as a source of information about the College for other University Advancement staff, and encouraging the College to establish programs and conduct activities to involve alumni in meaningful ways to advance the mission of the College.
3. Develops and follows an annual work plan that encompasses major gift fundraising, administrative responsibilities, and professional development.
4. Effectively manages the prospect pipeline to facilitate engagement and major gift donations.
5. In coordination with the Executive Director of Major and Planned Giving, the Assistant Vice President for Development & Strategy – University Advancement, and the Vice President for University Advancement, develops and executes an annual operating plan with accountable monthly, quarterly, and annual metric goals.
6. Assumes primary responsibility for short-term or long-term development projects requiring dedicated effort and focus with minimal supervision as directed by the Assistant Vice President for Development & Strategy – University Advancement and the Vice President for University Advancement
7. Provides instructional training and mentorship for the development team and/or other advancement staff when requested or as needed.
8. As applicable based on location, assists with the coordination of the alumni chapter network and creates an informed and active base of support for the University by assisting in the development and implementation of alumni activities, such as organizing meetings and social activities in the St. Louis, Kansas City, and other geographic areas for Missouri State University and Greenwood Laboratory School alumni.
9. Creates annual report briefings for the Assistant Vice President for Development & Strategy – University Advancement by synthesizing the data from the management reports produced by the Foundation.
10. Prepares for professional and donor appointments by establishing and maintaining professional competency and currency in the field of university development work through professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, attending training and/or courses required by the Assistant Vice President for Development & Strategy – University Advancement and maintaining appropriate professional memberships in organizations like the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
11.Enters detailed contact reports, strategic plans, and proposals for donors and prospects into the contact management tracking system in a timely manner in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Office of Development and/or specific fundraising metrics.
12. Assures donor confidentiality as well as confidentiality regarding projects undertaken by conducting all personal contacts and communications in a professional manner.
13. Facilitates the achievement of established goals by developing and maintaining cordial and professional working relationships with University administrative, support, and professional staff, and appropriate off-campus constituencies.
14. Participates as a fully productive member of the professional staff by adhering to all University policies and procedures and the internal policies and procedures of the Office of Development.
15. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
16. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the Assistant Vice President for Development & Strategy – University Advancement.
17. Contributes to the overall success of the University by assuming primary responsibility for special projects as assigned and performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned in a timely, thorough, and professional manner.
SUPERVISION
The Senior Director of Development is supervised by the Assistant Vice President for Development & Strategy – University Advancement and supervises the Director of Leadership Annual Giving.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
JULY 2022
