Development Director - South Dakota State University Foundation

Position Summary
The Development Director serving the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences assists donors in accomplishing their philanthropic goals while simultaneously working to help South Dakota State University advance its mission. This individual will work closely with the leadership team for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences on engagement of donors and prospects with great potential to support the college’s priority funding objectives, and will support the various departments and fields of study specific to this college including the Ness School of Management and Economics, the School of American and Global Studies, the School of Communication and Journalism, the School of Design, the School of English and Interdisciplinary Studies, the School of Performing Arts, the School of Psychology, Sociology and Rural Studies, Aerospace Studies and Air Force ROTC, and Military Sciences and Army ROTC. This individual will work with the SDSU Foundation Leadership to set the strategic direction for fundraising efforts and implement a comprehensive plan for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts to increase support and achieve goals that truly make a difference within the college.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Relationships and Fundraising

• Solicit donations to increase philanthropic support for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and South Dakota State University, focusing on commitments of $25,000 of more.
• Establish and manage relationships in an evolving portfolio of approximately 75 to 125 prospects and donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Build and nurture collaborative, donor-centric long-term relationships with major gift donors.
• Ensure consistent, appropriate, and timely stewardship through personal recognition, ongoing communications, and invitations to key events.
• Effectively match the interests of prospects and donors to specific college and university needs.
• Draft and customize correspondence, proposals, and other written materials for identified prospects and donors.

Strategy and Prospect Management

• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop comprehensive long-range and short-term strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.
• Design and execute appropriate and effective cultivation and solicitation strategies to move assigned prospects through the gift cycle.
• Develop a pipeline of future major donors capable of making significant gifts to the university by participating in the identification, qualification, and evaluation of major and planned gift prospects.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of pertinent communications and contact reports following prospect and donor engagements within database.

Engagement with University Partners

• Ensure that the SDSU Foundation is viewed as a transparent, collaborative, responsive partner to be able to professionally address both opportunities and concerns.
• Coordinate with the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences to create and implement a comprehensive major gift development plan.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as major priorities of the university.
• Collaborate with the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences leadership team to identify and prepare volunteers, including Faculty/Staff, Trustees, and Development Council members, to assist in the development process when applicable.
• Through collegial consultation and cooperation, model and encourage a donor-centered culture of collaboration that includes multidisciplinary priorities supporting the overall goals of the university.
• Actively collaborate across the holistic development programs for the college including Annual Programs, Corporate and SDSU Foundation Relations, Planned Giving, and the Alumni Association.
• Serve as an advocate for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, South Dakota State University, and the SDSU Foundation.

Travel and Event Attendance

• Travel regionally/nationally as well as attend evening and weekend activities as required.
• Annually attend/participate in a wide sampling of university and campus events related to your assigned college/unit and others that fall outside of your primary area or responsibility to gain a strong understanding of South Dakota State University.

Other Duties

• Other duties may be assigned to meet the organization’s needs.

Education and Previous Experience
Bachelor's degree is required. Minimum of three years of professional fundraising experience or appropriate related experience (such as public relations, sales, marketing, or alumni relations) required. Background within Higher Education fundraising is preferred.
Additional Qualifications
Qualified individuals will possess the following:

• A high level of interpersonal skills, both in person and by phone, to handle sensitive and confidential situations with varied internal and external constituencies.
• Customer service skills requiring clear communication in person, on the phone, and in writing are essential.
• A high level of integrity, including ability to treat confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to be organized and resourceful to locate and compile information and accomplish projects with minimal supervision.
• Consistent attention to detail in composing and proofing materials, establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment with professional demeanor, self-reliance, and resourcefulness.
• Dependability and punctuality.
•  High energy, positive attitude, and high degree of initiative.
• Proficient experience using the most recent versions of computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software (i.e. MSWord, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Typical Physical Demands
Requires sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and some lifting. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, the telephone, and other office and/or clerical equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and vision.
Employee Statement of Understanding
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Regular attendance is required in this job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. The SDSU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

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