Senior Executive Director of Advancement for Campus

Job Summary

The Senior Executive Director of Advancement for Campus (SEDOA) manages the dual-reporting relationships for development directors in colleges and areas across the University on campus (non-Health), collaborating closely with deans, directors, and key fundraising teams in the University Advancement office and report to the Chief Philanthropy Officer. The SEDOA develops and implements a strategic development plan for University campus fundraising, expands the donor pool and pipeline, works with the deans, directors and fundraising team to maximize the fundraising potential, and ultimately increases the funding available to meet the college/area needs and the University mission. Building and supporting a collaborative culture of donor-centric philanthropy are key values for this position.

The SEDOA will be an experienced development professional with significant leadership experience, preferably in higher education. A successful track record as a major and/or principal gifts fundraising professional and as a builder of teams and programs is required. The SEDOA will also have the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to establish strong relationships and partnerships internally and externally.

The position offers a generous benefits package including retirement, health, dental, life, and other insurance, vacation, and sick leave (see https://www.hr.utah.edu/benefits/). Relocation assistance is available.

University Advancement is deeply committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Experience with alumni organizations would be helpful but not required. With an increasingly diverse population of alumni and donors, we recognize that nationally the most successful alumni programs employ individuals who can connect with these diverse communities and understand approaches that mirror a broad perspective of cultures, values, and experiences. The long-term strength and viability of the University of Utah stem from the ongoing EDI practices, and we work intentionally to ensure these efforts are reflected in all aspects of our fundraising and advancement work. We highly encourage applications from historically underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons who have served in the military, and others who would bring additional dimensions of education and experience to our team.

Responsibilities:

Following are the SEDOA’s leadership opportunities and expectations:

Develop and implement a strategic development plan for University campus fundraising
1. Build a close relationship with deans/directors, the development directors of the colleges/areas, and the Chief Philanthropy Officer, to jointly manage the work of the development directors, including collaboratively developing their strategic fundraising plans, establishing annual fundraising goals and performance metrics, determining professional development needs, establishing fund-raising budgets, and evaluating performance;
2. Work closely with deans and directors by providing professional fundraising guidance to assist in identifying fundraising priorities;
3. Ensure the colleges/areas provide appropriate acknowledgment to donors, including annual endowment reports, coordinating with the University Advancement Office’s Donor Relations program as well as comply with donor intent in expending gift and endowment funds;
4. Promote One U collaboration among colleges and areas, across campus and U Health, and with the University Advancement Office;
5. Coordinate the work of the development directors with the Principal Gifts, Corporations & Foundations, Legacy Giving, Student Support Initiative, Prospect Development, and Annual Giving teams in the University Advancement Office; Expand the donor pool and pipeline for major giving
6. Advise on strategies for increasing the number of donors through annual giving and alumni relations, identifying prospects and establishing a pipeline to move donors from annual to major giving;
7. Coordinate prospect identification, research and clearance for areas with the Prospect Management, Principal Gifts, and CFR teams in University Advancement; Work with the team to maximize fundraising potential
8. Jointly with the cognizant dean or director, recruit and hire the development director for colleges/areas;
9. Serve as a resource to deans and directors to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of their fundraising;
10. Supervise and evaluate the performance of development directors, with an emphasis on action-oriented metrics as well as best practices in major gift fundraising;
11. Develop a training program for frontline fundraising for the areas and the University Advancement Office, and oversee the onboarding and training of, as well as serve as a mentor to front-line fundraisers;
12. Develop career paths within and across development job grades for the University and assist areas and colleges with implementation with the goals of appropriately rewarding strong performance, and retaining and promoting excellent front-line fundraisers;
13. Expand opportunities for students in fundraising through internships and training opportunities (e.g. CASE interns);
14. Manage an internal operating budget and assist fundraisers in developing their budgets;
15. Carry a small portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, leading by example.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.

Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in related field or equivalent; ten years of progressively more responsible experience, or equivalency; demonstrated skills in advancement; and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

Department Specific Qualifications:

Personal success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors;
Experience managing and training front-line fundraisers, by taking an interest in advancing their careers and providing the support necessary for them to be successful;
Professional credibility, integrity, intellectual depth, maturity, wisdom, and collaborative skills to garner the trust and confidence of the deans and directors as well as the development staff;
Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills;
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as part of a team;
Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking capabilities; ability to embrace challenges and thrive in a fast-paced team-oriented environment;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively, creatively, and inclusively with a variety of constituencies and diversity of ideas;
Ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a complex environment;
Deep understanding of and appreciation for the philanthropic process and individual giving behaviors combined with direct solicitation experience;
Philanthropy experience in an academic environment is preferred;
Working knowledge of planned giving, financial and/or estate planning concepts is preferred.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Special Instructions Summary: 

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited.

Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume, a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile, and a list of three references.

Applications are being accepted and reviewed; the search will remain open until the position is filled.

Professional Recruiters is assisting University of Utah in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made.

Inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be submitted to Franci Eisenberg ([email protected]; 801/327-9933)