Executive Director of Development, Student Success

The University of Iowa is one of America’s premier public research universities. Known for its excellence in both the arts and sciences, Iowa is home to world-class academic programs, a renowned medical center, Big Ten athletics, and leading-edge artists. The University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA) works to support the University of Iowa through engagement and philanthropy and seeks an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and strategic fundraising leader to serve as Executive Director of Development for Student Success. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Main Campus Regional Gifts, this is an exciting, inaugural position that will lead fundraising efforts for campus-wide student success programs and initiatives.

The Executive Director of Development for Student Success will drive best practices in student success fundraising, partnering with dynamic, visionary campus leaders from the Division of Student Life, Office of Student Financial Aid, Division of Access, Opportunity, and Diversity, First Gen Hawks program, and other student success initiatives. This collaboration will be pivotal in generating momentum to enhance student success, retention, and graduation rates at the University of Iowa. The Executive Director of Development for Student Success will work with the main campus regional gifts team to articulate the value of supporting these programs and drive revenue growth by expanding the donor base. With a focus on major gifts, the Executive Director of Development for Student Success will serve as a philanthropic advisor, assisting donors in making inspirational investments in the University of Iowa to assist in removing barriers to student success and maximizing the Hawkeye student experience, ensuring realized dreams of a degree from the University of Iowa.

*This position is eligible for hybrid work (telecommuting) which includes working on-site at our office in Iowa City at least 3 days per week.

**Required: Please submit cover letter with application**

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Identification
• Advises Prospect Management staff in the identification of prospects (based on capacity, giving history, and affiliation) from among pools that may include alumni, fans, patients, or other supporters of the university
• Works with Prospect Management staff to develop strategy for managing prospects
• Provides strategic input into the design and implementation of engagement events and referral programs designed to build long-term relationships and attract major gifts
• Conducts all activities, particularly those involving constituent data, according to established laws, policies, procedures, and standards and with the full support of UICA, UI, and UI Hospitals and Clinics as relevant

• Efficiently conducts proactive outreach calls and messages to secure face-to-face qualification meetings

Qualification
• Optimizes qualification pool of potential major gift prospects with the goal of growing a continuous pipeline of donors capable of making gifts of $50,000+
• Uses gathered information to independently determine whether prospects should be disqualified or moved into the portfolio
• Models the role of a trusted philanthropic advisor, using transparent communication and educating donors about the giving process

Cultivation
• Manages portfolio of active major gift prospects and develops their readiness to advance
• Develops and implements donor-centric cultivation strategies, collaborating with colleagues as needed
• Facilitates prospects’ decision-making process; helps them understand next steps and articulate the link between their personal objectives and institutional priorities
• Maintains expert knowledge needed to ensure donors are fully informed about the full range of planned giving options

• Maintains expert knowledge of funding priorities within and beyond assigned unit, consulting with UICA colleagues and campus partners as needed

Negotiation
• Meets expectations for solicitations, gifts closed, and average gift size (goals established annually with the supervisor in alignment with organization-wide metrics)
• Knows where prospects fall in the donor engagement process and plans next steps accordingly
• Identifies meaningful ways for donor to achieve their desired impact while meeting funding needs
• Employs and models the use of communication and meeting preparation tools in order to achieve stated objectives for each step of the process

Stewardship
• Develops, implements, and participates in appropriate stewardship activities (e.g., acknowledgement letters, publicity events) for donors as relevant, working with stewardship staff as needed
• Maintains integrity of constituent database through timely submittal of stewardship plans and contact reports for all significant interactions

Constituent Management
• Partners with campus leaders and UICA leadership to develop strategic fundraising priorities and a comprehensive multi-year plan to increase private gift support
• Manages fundraising program for assigned unit, including any special campaigns for program and capital support, in cooperation with campus partners/leaders
• Leverages trusted working relationships with campus partners/leaders (deans/directors) as well as external groups with ties to the unit; Communicates frequently regarding progress toward goals
• Prepares partners/leaders as necessary for donor meetings and guides their critical role in the giving conversation and donor engagement process
• Collaborates with CFR staff as relevant to identify and cultivate corporate and foundation gift prospects for assigned unit
• Provides direction on annual giving strategy and the development of fundraising materials for assigned units including mailings, brochures, donor recognition, reports, etc.

UICA Program Leadership
• Plans and oversees the overall operational, reporting, budgetary, and financial responsibilities of assigned UICA unit
• Develops and maintains work systems, procedures, and productivity standards that advance the mission and goals of the UICA unit and enable optimum performance of the people and other resources within it
• Allocates resources to effectively accomplish the work of the UICA unit
• Monitors, evaluates, and aims to improve effectiveness of unit operations
• Makes business decisions that are consistent with UICA mission/vision and our organizational culture and values

UICA People Leadership
• Manages all aspects of the employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding through separation
• Empowers employees to take responsibility for their jobs and prioritizes trust and transparent communication as the basis for a productive relationship
• Supports employees in developing meaningful goals aligned with those of the UICA unit and UICA and in achieving/surpassing those goals
• Inspires performance through clear expectations and ongoing feedback
• Supports employees struggling to meet expectations for productivity, quality, and goal attainment
• Identifies and anticipates competency gaps within individuals and the UICA unit as a whole
• Motivates, develops, coaches, and rewards employees for growth in competencies over time, leading to new opportunities for subject matter expertise or leadership
• Partners with Talent Management to achieve optimum results for employees, self, UICA unit, and UICA
• Creates a work environment that is consistent with UICA mission/vision and that emphasizes our organizational culture and values

Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of related experience required, preferably in a fundraising, nonprofit, or higher education setting

**Required: Please submit cover letter with application**