Executive Director of Development, School of Education in Leeds

The Executive Director of Development for the School of Education is the strategic fundraising leader for the benefit of the School of Education. The School of Education prepares transformative leaders for a rapidly-changing world and educational landscape. Our faculty, students, alumni and partners are constantly working to create new knowledge in the fields of educational theory, practice and policy – then taking that research and developing meaningful ways to put it to work in classrooms and clinics.

The Executive Director reports to the Assistant Vice President for Schools & Academic Initiatives in the Office of University Advancement and is a strategic partner to the Dean. The Executive Director is responsible for the leadership and strategy for private philanthropy for the benefit of the School of Education, developing, implementing, and executing strategy for institutional development to advance philanthropic efforts of the School. As a seminal thinker and leader with a demonstrated ability to capitalize on the unique role of the School in an academic and research setting, the Executive Director will work to establish target markets and align philanthropic and engagement strategies and resources to maximize impact. This position is based in Williamsburg, Virginia, and offers a flexible work environment.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with demonstrated experience directly related to the position.
• Significant experience in increasingly more responsible roles in development/advancement in a nonprofit or higher education setting.
• Strong leadership and management skills and the ability to drive a culture of engagement and philanthropy and motivate donors in a metrics-driven environment.
• Proven ability to plan, execute, and close significant major gifts ($100,000 and higher) and reach aggressive goals.
• Commitment to teamwork and willingness to work collaboratively with colleagues from across the university, capitalizing on the opportunities that diverse ideas and thoughts can provide.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and fluency in using persuasive language to promote visionary gift opportunities.
• Advanced writing skills with demonstrated expertise in drafting and executing creative individual and corporate foundation relations (CFR) focused strategies.
• High level of ease working independently and demonstrated work ethic and integrity.
• Significant organizational skills and an ability to handle multiple and complex tasks and projects concurrently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in a related field.
• Extensive fundraising experience with a proven track record of identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gifts.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Demonstrated performance leading fundraising strategy in an academic unit.
• Fundraising campaign experience.
• Management skills to educate, lead and inspire fundraising professionals and other team members.

Job Duties:

• 55% - Portfolio Management: Develop and manage an appropriate-sized major gift portfolio of donors by the end of the second year in the position and to be able to conduct an appropriate number of $50,000 asks based on the portfolio. In addition to annual dollars raised, performance goals include the number of asks and closes, activity/move measures as well as the number of prospects identified and qualified for major gift potential.
• Meet or exceed fundraising metrics and major elements of the solicitation process from cultivation to solicitation to stewardship.
• Create, coordinate, and implement thoughtful and donor-centric development strategies designed to reach the most significant prospects of the School of Education within their own portfolio as well as those whose relationship with W&M may be managed by other staff.
• Proactively lead strategy sessions on prospects for School of Education.
• Create the program most directly related to the success of fundraising for the particular fiscal year, the campaign, and beyond, and for communicating internally with all interested parties.
• Oversee innovative, systematic, and integrated donor engagement programming that encompasses donor appreciation events, endowed programs and building naming dedications.
• Develop comprehensive briefings for the Dean, President, VP for University Advancement, Associate Vice President for Advancement/Chief Development Officer, and other university and advancement leaders as needed.
• Serve as liaison to and work in conjunction with W&M University Advancement on current and future fundraising initiatives.

• 40% - Program Leadership: Lead and direct a comprehensive, strategic, fundraising program for the School of Education (to include, but not be limited to, leadership and major gifts, annual fund, planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and donor acquisition programs).
• Partner closely with the Dean to identify and define fundraising priorities.
• Collaborate with Office of University Advancement colleagues.

• 5% - Foundation Support: All work below is related to the support for gifts and/or communication about gifts that will support the WMF or other university foundations.
• Negotiate, finalize, accept, document, and execute gift agreements to the WMF.
• Record and store gift agreements to the WMF.
• As appropriate, manage and invest gifts to the WMF.
• Document, administer, and steward gifts to the WMF.

Equal Opportunity Statement: William & Mary values diversity and invites applications from underrepresented groups who will enrich the research, teaching and service missions of the university. The university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Background Check Statement: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment.

Benefits Summary Statement: William & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.

For full consideration, applicants must submit resume and cover letter.