Associate Director Development - Tufts University

In 1978, Tufts University established a veterinary school with a One Medicine mission. Today, more than 35 years later, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, the only veterinary school in New England, continues to advance One Health initiatives that improve the health and well-being of animals, humans and the environment. Cummings School assures that our students approach the veterinary profession with knowledge-filled open minds and the drive to make a difference in the world.

The Office of Development and Alumni Engagement serves Cummings School by maximizing resources from friends, alumni, parents, and corporate and foundation partners in support of the school’s academic, clinical, scientific, and service priorities. Specifically, the office raises, current use, capital funds and planned gifts to meet the school’s current and future needs. It also serves as a liaison for the Tufts University Veterinary Alumni Association (TUVAA).

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development & Alumni Engagement, the Associate Director of Development will develop and implement strategic fundraising plans and activities in support of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine priorities. The Associate Director will collaborate with colleagues working in major gifts, annual giving, gift planning, and corporate and foundation relations to assess appropriate cultivation strategies for qualified prospects. S/he/they will work independently, as well as with fundraising volunteers, faculty, dean, and university leadership to further cultivate, solicit, and steward qualified prospects.

The Associate Director will manage a qualification portfolio consisting of 150 individuals (friends, alumni, and parents) identified by the Department of Prospect Development and in conjunction with the Sr. Director through other leads as possible gift prospects. S/he/they will be charged with scheduling face-to-face meetings and visiting prospects in select regions throughout the country. S/he/they will document all meeting outcomes in the University Advancement database and working with the Sr. Director and other senior staff members in the division, determine the appropriate next steps for each individual.

The Associate Director will be expected to contribute to the successful achievement of School and university fundraising goals by qualifying and disqualifying new prospects, and by securing leadership annual gifts as well as endowment and capital gifts.

Portfolio Management and Prospect Qualification, Cultivation and Solicitation

• Qualify potential major gift prospects as identified through the Office of Prospect Development. Cultivate and solicit a segment of qualified major gift prospects emerging from this pool;
• Maintain an active portfolio of 150 prospects, with emphasis on high-end annual gifts and capital gifts of $100,000 or more, from Cummings School alumni, parents, and friends;
• Secure in-person visits to gain an in-depth understanding of the prospect pool by asking relevant strategic questions and employing active listening skills qualifying or disqualifying prospects, as necessary;
• Travel to assign geographic regions to visit prospects and host prospects on campus;
• Using information learned through prospect interactions, develop, and implement strategic cultivation strategies working independently or in concert with senior director.
• Develop and implement thoughtful prospect solicitation strategies based on information learned through prospect visits; actively solicit 5 and 6-figure annual and capital gifts in accordance with fiscal year metrics established by the senior director;
• Prepare written materials including briefing documents for volunteer leaders and school leadership as appropriate, acknowledgments, proposals, and other routine correspondence;
• Meet ambitious metrics for prospect visits and proposals submitted and closed each year in consultation with supervisor;
• Execute detailed and timely summaries of all prospect interactions which clearly outline progress made toward qualification/disqualification and/or strategies for future cultivation and solicitation;
• Represent the school at regional and on-campus events.
• May include managing a targeted fundraising project. 

Collaboration with University Advancement Staff, Campaign Planning, and Communications:
• Work with Advancement colleagues to develop invite lists and to drive turnout for key university events on and off campus;
• Participate in UA meetings designed to increase awareness of school priorities and campaign objectives among all major gift officers. Work closely with these colleagues and others to
• Identify fundraising priorities and strategies for key prospects;
Gain a strong working knowledge of the broad vision and campaign priorities of the school and the university. 

Stewardship
• Work closely with colleagues in Donor Relations and Stewardship to develop and implement stewardship plans for key donors; Conduct stewardship visits with donors, beneficiaries and key volunteers as appropriate;
Collaborate with Donor Relations, Stewardship and Special Events staff as appropriate on donor recognition events. 

Basic Requirements:

• Minimum 5-7 years of extensive experience in philanthropy
• Proven track record of structuring proposals and securing major gifts
• Advanced interpersonal and relationship building skills
• BA/BS Degree- or equivalent years of relevant experience
• Valid US Driver’s License
• Microsoft Office and donor databases such as Advance
• Minimum 1 week of travel per month (that might be 1-2 days per week each week)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent writing skills
• Familiarity with planned giving vehicles