Associate Director, Major Gifts—Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/10

Job Summary:

The Associate Director, Major Gifts for the Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gift support from a prospect pool of alumni, friends, and family members. The Associate Director will build a balanced portfolio of prospects through qualifying visits, cultivation of prospects, prospect solicitation that align with prospects’ interests and financial capacity and stewarding current donors. This role interfaces with colleagues from the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, including deans, faculty, program directors and other University leaders to prepare them for prospect meetings and support their alumni engagement activities. 

The Associate Director works as a member of Weinberg College Development team within ARD to fundraise for the College’s priorities in coordination with the dean’s strategic plan.  This position also collaborates with colleagues from teams across Alumni Relations and Development (e.g. leadership and annual giving, reunions, donor relations, marketing and communications, planned giving). 

We value transparency in our hiring process. As part of our evaluation, we may review publicly available social media information about candidates.

For full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter.

 

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning, Prospecting, and Gift Work

  • Gathers data, assesses leads, and develops strategies designed to realize the current and life-time giving potential of individual prospects.
  • Maintains consistent and appropriate contact with prospects.
  • Facilitates or makes major gift solicitations of six figures or more. 
  • Ensures effective stewardship of donors.
  • Develops, plans, and implements strategies and approaches to identify, solicit, and close major gifts of six-figures or more. 
  • Builds and manages a portfolio of approximately 45 prospects by strategically moving them through the major gift pipeline.
  • Collects and synthesizes information from campus partners to prepare compelling donor proposals that strategically align with donor interests and their full philanthropic capacity.
  • Gathers, records, and retrieves information about prospects and donors utilizing University database and research resources.
  • Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines and reporting.
  • Frequently travels to visit with alumni and donors to assigned domestic regions.   

Collaboration

  • Involves moderate- to-high-level of collaboration with both internal department partners and moderate level of collaboration with broader University partners to identify and integrate resources to accomplish strategic goals & objectives. 
  • Partners with other areas of development, specifically Annual & Planned Giving to coordinate contacts. 

Miscellaneous 

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience. 
  • 4 years development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

  • Curious and Adaptable: Interest in growing and learning; ability to remain flexible and contribute where needed. 
  • Organized and Dependable: organization, time management, and clear communication with stakeholders
  • Collaborative and Effective Communicator: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, along with strong interpersonal skills for building and maintaining donor relationships; experienced at strategically aligning across teams and units.
  • Driven and Goal-Oriented: proactive; demonstrates the qualities of a self-starter who is driven by success. Demonstrated ability to take initiative, follow through, and take responsibility for outcomes. Proven track-record of closing gifts, or equivalent sales experience. 
  • Strategic and Critical Thinker: prioritizes planning, goal-setting, and long-term vision. Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Proven ability to close major gifts of six-figures or more.
  • Experience with development/fundraising operations (annual giving, stewardship, prospecting, volunteer management, board management)
  • Previous experience in higher education or large complex organization.
  • Driver’s License

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

  • Other preferred competencies include creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively. Understanding of complex organizations and multiple stakeholders

 

Target hiring range for this position will be between $88,000-$90,000 per year.  Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

 

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.htmlto learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.htmlto learn more.



Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. Viewadditional information on the accommodations process.

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