Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
KALAMAZOO, Michigan
Gainesville, Georgia
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posted: 09-Apr-25
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Employment Type:
Organization Type:
Required Education:
Internal Number: 101061
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Assistant Director of Development reports to the Chief Advancement Officer for Integrative Health and is responsible for managing relationships with major gift prospects determined to have the ability to make gifts at or above the $25,000 level.
This position is charged with developing and implementing strategies for securing financial support from a portfolio of prospects, approximately 150-180, including identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts for Duquesne University from alumni and friends for the College of Medicine, the Rangos School of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, and the Center for Integrative Health.
Major gift officers work independently and also as members of the University Advancement team and coordinate their activities with those of other units in University Advancement and other units at the University.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Works independently and is self-motivated in initiating contact with potential donors
Manages a caseload of active major gift prospects and implements and executes strategies for solicitation of these prospects, ensuring regular interaction through face-to-face meetings, mail/email/telephone, online meetings, campus meetings, and events
Assumes and achieves annual fundraising activity and performance goals, including 100 to 120 in-person prospect meetings; submission of 10-20 major gift-level proposals; an average accepted gift range of $25,000 to $500,000 in new commitments; and total dollars raised of $1,000,000 or more
Drafts contemporaneous briefings; contact reports, gift and solicitation strategies, proposals, and other correspondence for prospects; processes gift commitments expeditiously
Makes numerous decisions on portfolio management, including donor cultivation, proposal and solicitation planning, and relationship management, both internally and externally. Effectively manages use of travel time and travel and entertainment budget
Work collegially with the development team, academic colleagues, key administrators, and volunteers in creating and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and closure
Schedules own travel using a P-Card and reconciles all transactions in Chrome River in a timely manner
Completes other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
Valid driver's license
Willingness and ability to travel frequently to conduct face-to-face meetings and attend events both locally and out-of-state
Preferred qualifications:
Proven experience (minimum three to five years) in major individual gift fundraising, preferably in higher education and/or a university hospital setting, and in cultivating and soliciting prospects capable of six-to-seven-figure gifts
Knowledge of IRS and FASB laws, rules, and regulations, and thorough knowledge of fundraising and solicitation policies, procedures, and methods
Broad knowledge of principles of fundraising and an ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle
Expertise and facility with Banner, MS Office suite (especially Excel) Slate, or similar CRM
Ability to act as a proactive “prospector” who can handle duties beyond direct fundraising that ultimately support alumni/friend discovery, cultivation and engagement, eventually resulting in higher levels of philanthropy
Ability and willingness to perform and embrace other duties as assigned or directed
Emotional intelligence
Excellent organizational, project management, multi-tasking, and leadership skills
Exceptional communication (verbal/written), listening, and follow-through skills; collegial and respectful manner
Ability to work independently within the boundaries of established University policies and procedures and the development practices and codes of conduct from CASE and AFP
Impeccable integrity and high ethical standards
Demonstrated experience in consistently meeting deadlines/deliverables and standards for quality work
Entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving and demonstrated success in exceeding goals and expectations
Experience and comfort level with databases and systems
Ability and willingness to support and articulate the mission, identity, and strategic goals of Duquesne University
Sensitivity to the need of each individual to be treated with dignity and respect as it relates to diversity in general and the Mission of the University specifically
Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Commitment to the University’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognition of the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission. Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others)
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community
Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.