POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Executive Director of University Advancement Relations
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1785
GRADE 47
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Vice President for University Advancement
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Executive Director of University Advancement Relations holds the primary responsibility for managing scholarship and endowment gifts to ensure they are utilized following established guidelines, university and IRS rules, regulations, and best practices. This position oversees the scholarship software for private scholarships on the Springfield and West Plains campuses and provides administrative guidance to team members who directly work with Foundation scholarships. Manages all aspects of The Founders Club. Works with the Provost’s Office to manage privately funded faculty positions. Works with the Office of Financial Services to ensure foundation funds are used in an appropriate manner as required policy and regulation. Collaborates with the Vice President for University Advancement to oversees and advise upon the overall strategic communications of the MSU Foundation and Division for University Advancement. This position prepares written materials, including primary responsibility for the content management of Foundation communications and donor recognition. This position is responsible for leading and guiding a team to plan and execute University Advancement and University special events that enable the University to fully realize its mission by meeting special objectives. This position serves as building manager and primary contact between 521 Properties LLC., the MSU Foundation and outside event managers at the Old Glass Place to resolve issues and enable the venue to serve internal and external constituents.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree is required. Master’s degree preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: At least five years of successful professional experience is required, substantial related work experience, including up to two years of administrative or supervisory experience preferably in higher education development and/or a demonstrated record of success in a closely related career field.
Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills with all age groups are required. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required. Must have good organizational skills, particularly planning, managing deadlines, and evaluating progress. The position is paperwork-intensive and requires skills in proofreading and editing, attention to detail, and follow-through; 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.
Effort: The nature of this position frequently requires lifting and moving boxes of materials and equipment weighing twenty-five to thirty pounds.
Other: This job requires occasional attendance at evening and/or weekend activities, meetings, events, seminars, and workshops, etc.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Supports the overall long-term financial strength of University programs by meeting with donors and prospective donors about a variety of gift possibilities, particularly scholarships.2. Provides leadership, strategy and vision and ensures continuity for the Division for University Advancement and the MSU Foundation’s communications and content across all platforms and media through overseeing all communications, marketing, public relations, and content team members.
3. Establishes priorities and facilitates the planning to promote the brand, vision, mission, goals and accomplishments of the Division for University Advancement and the Foundation to University alumni, donors, internal and external constituents.
4. Serves as a representative of 521 Properties LLC. And the MSU Foundation with outside venue managers and external parties as related to the Old Glass Place venue.
5. Administers donor gift planning by having current professional knowledge of gift possibilities available through the Missouri State University Foundation and the current laws and regulations governing such gifts.
6. Assumes primary responsibility for working directly with scholarship and endowment gift donors and gift officers; prepares and reviews all donor agreements and associated paperwork which facilitates scholarship and endowment giving including the collection of agreements and other documentation to manage and administer the terms and provisions of individual donations.
7. Responsible for working directly with the Office of Financial Services to ensure private funds are utilized in a way that matches donor intent and meets all required University and IRS rules and regulations.
8. Directs the NextGen Scholarship Manager Software and the online scholarship process for the Foundation Scholarships on both the Springfield and West Plains campuses; implements processes and protocols with team members to ensure privately funded scholarship support can flow to University students in the most effective way possible.
9. Oversees the Foundation funding and budget for endowed faculty positions and works in tandem with the Office of the Provost on the awarding and funding process.
10. Manages the Foundation budget accounts in special funding programs and works with University administrators on special funding initiatives and Foundation funding.
11. Enhances good donor relations by assuming primary responsibility for The Founders Club, including the annual goal of adding new members and managing donor correspondence, reminders, acknowledgments, list maintenance, lists for publications, all club events and arrangements, donor mementos, materials, parking passes, and anything relating to TFC membership.
12. Plans and executes a variety of Foundation and University events. Works with University and external constituents to ensure attendees have the ultimate experience and are recognized and hosted in appropriate and joyful ways.
13. Enhances the ability of the University to meet fund-raising goals by having a complete understanding of current capital projects as well as endowment gifts, athletics gifts, phone, email, and mail efforts, and giving programs available through the Missouri State University Foundation and possessing a knowledge of the advantages of membership in various gift recognition clubs.
14. Directs communication related to the status of current fund-raising activities to both the public and senior administrators and stimulates interest in gift giving by preparing written materials including proposals, contact reports, brochures, gift acknowledgments, articles, administrative reports, as well as contributing to Missouri State Magazine and being the content manager and coordinator of the MSU Foundation’s Advancements publication.
15. Prepares and sends donor correspondence and account reporting information; facilitates donor and student encounters through event experiences, virtual meetings, and print/e-mail correspondence.
16.Represents the Office of University Advancement at functions and meetings as assigned and collaborates with donors and potential donors, alumni, students, friends, and various constituencies of the University to strengthen their ties to Missouri State University.
17. Prepares for professional and donor encounters 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 Vice President for University Advancement
18. Assures donor confidentiality as well as the confidentiality of the projects undertaken by the Division for University Advancement by conducting all personal contacts and communications with donors in a professional manner.
19. Facilitates and supports the accomplishment of established goals for the Office of University Advancement Relations by developing and maintaining cordial and professional working relationships with University administrative, support, and professional departmental staff and appropriate off-campus constituencies.
20. 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 University Advancement.
21. Contributes to the overall success of the Division for University Advancement by performing all other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
This position supervises the Senior Director of University Advancement Relations,
the Assistant Director of University Advancement Relations– West Plains, the Strategic
Communications Specialist, Content Strategist, an administrative assistant, a graduate
assistant, part time employees and multiple student workers (on the Springfield and
West Plains campuses).
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED AUGUST 2024
