This position is responsible for managing and coordinating the complex operations and processes surrounding the university's efforts related to principal gifts. The Office of University Development Initiatives is tasked with strengthening the engagement and philanthropy of Vanderbilt's most influential donors and prospects. The Executive Director of Operations will assure that strategies related to the university's top donors are effectively tracked and implemented so the donor relationship managers are bringing the donors closer to Vanderbilt.

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University's teaching and research programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Working closely with the Vice Chancellor of Development, the Associate Vice Chancellor of University Development Initiatives, and other principal gift prospect managers, coordinate the development of overall goals, strategies, and tactics to effectively engage the university's top donors.
• Assist University Development Initiatives team and other prospect managers assigned to principal gift donors and prospects in establishing and disseminating guidelines for fundraisers and other staff working with or managing principal gift prospects and work with team to assure guidelines are being followed.
• Maintain detailed records of tracking activities including donor strategy sessions, donor meetings, donor engagement activities, and assure appropriate reports are included in the system of record.
• Create and present comprehensive reports to the Vice Chancellor highlighting donor strategy and upcoming pipeline meetings. Assist in monitoring overall goals and objectives, tracking, cultivation, and solicitations for the university's top donors.
• Prepare for, lead, and assure adequate follow-up from weekly Chancellor donor debrief sessions.
• Coordinate activities related to Chancellor involvement and solicitations.
• Draft Chancellor donor communications as requested.
• Prep and assist with the Vice Chancellor's work with prospects.
• Draft Vice Chancellor communications with prospects.
• Assure the quality of briefing materials and correspondence required by the Chancellor, Provost, Associate Vice Chancellor and other senior leadership.
• Advise the Vice Chancellor of DAR in donor activity that supports the goals and objectives of the University Development Initiatives team based on DAR's goals, portfolios, and staff resources.
• Convene the University Development Initiatives team in regular meetings to review and prioritize strategic activities.
• Coordinate business planning and track progress on fundraising goals for Vanderbilt's University Development Initiatives office
• Establish business processes to support engagement efforts assuring efficiency and maximum strategic outreach by principal gift officers.
• Liaise with the Office of Admissions as needed.
• Manage action items and deliverables for the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor of DAR, and others in their work with the Board of Trust and campaign leadership.
• Assure effective deployment of high-level engagement strategies focused on the university's principal level donors and prospects
• Assess performance of two direct reports and evaluate overall success of team effort.
• Monitor and manage annual team budget.
• Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• A Bachelor's Degree, or the equivalent, is necessary
• A Master's Degree is preferred
• Five years of professional work experience in development, alumni relations, marketing, public relations or similar work is necessary.
• Three years of management experience is necessary.
• Experience in managing senior leadership and board of trusts preferred.
• Strong verbal and writing skills, high attention to detail and follow-up, and excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Proven record of accomplishment in prospect management and cultivation of prospective donors is preferred.
• Experience developing and monitoring budgets.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Dynamic public speaking and presentation skills towards an audience of all levels of the organization.
• Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion with confidential information.
• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, and Word.
• Some travel will be required, including some nights and weekends.
• Value of the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion