Director of Development for Regional Engagement

Director of Development for Regional Engagement

Benefits of working at VCU

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here.

Job Code

Recruitment Pool
Direct Appointment

Posting Number
req7277

Unit
Development MBU

Department

Department Website Link

Location
VCU

Address
907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA

Duties & Responsibilities

Reporting to the SAVP/AVP for Colleges, Schools and Units, the Director of Development for Regional Engagement serves as a gift officer for the DMV Region. The Director works with the SAVP/AVP, as well as the dean, and Units, Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) colleagues, and those across the division, to achieve Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) fundraising goals by engaging and soliciting prospects with interests in the strategic needs of the Colleges, Schools, Units and University wide projects.

Primary responsibilities:

• Manage (identify, engage, cultivate, solicit, steward) a portfolio of approximately 90-125 prospects with a giving capacity of $25,000 or greater; engage in discovery work annually on an additional pool of 20-30 prospects to determine interest in VCU priorities;
• Solicit gifts at the major gifts level (at or above $50K) through personal appointments, calls and correspondence in order to obtain and/or increase donor contributions;
• Solicit gifts at the primary gift level (at $10K or above) through personal appointments, calls and correspondence in order to obtain and/or increase donor contributions;
• Maximize academic leaders' participation in fundraising and engagement efforts through strategic planning and thorough organization;
• Integrate academic and university leadership, faculty, students, and alumni into development activities where most appropriate and effective;
• With DAR leadership and colleagues, devise short and long-term donor-centric strategies and develop plans for advancing assigned prospects' meaningful passions to the university.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other university operations, as well as colleagues on central teams (including planned giving, CFR, principal gifts, and university development) to develop donor-centric strategies to leverage and maximize giving and engagement; engage with colleagues for joint cultivation/solicitation/stewardship efforts when needed;
• Prepare briefing documents for VCU and DAR leadership for regional functions in which they are in attendance;
• Ensure accurate documentation of all donor activity and major gift solicitation plans in the university's prospect management system (RADAR);
• Coordinate with alumni relations and the strategic marketing and engagement team to ensure coordination of information to stakeholders and friends of the region;
• Develop, support, and evaluate campaign volunteer opportunities within the region to collaborate with central partners on the recruitment and training of those volunteers;
• Audit internal operations in order to develop standardized procedures in keeping with university policies;
• Provide guidance and assist with stewardship events and correspondence in coordination with the University's Office of Donor Relations;
• Coordinate with central teams on the composing, editing, and publishing of fundraising reports;
• Manage time and activities to support annually established metrics on prospect/donor engagement and fundraising efficacy.

As a team member, you will:

• Demonstrate appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU and VCU Health;
• Display a strong commitment to organizational success and delivering on individual responsibilities as a university citizen;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of excellence, high achievement and ongoing professional development by proactively seeking opportunities to develop new capabilities, skills, and knowledge;
• Establish, cultivate and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality service to internal and external communities;
• Demonstrate an open-minded approach to understanding people from all backgrounds, identities, abilities, perspectives and experiences;
• Ensure work is completed accurately and within deadline. Set high standards, exhibit a positive attitude, maintain strict confidentiality, and show an exemplary work ethic;
• Reflect DAR's and VCU's core purpose and values.

Qualifications

Minimum hiring standards:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience;
• Previous professional experience working in higher education, customer service, fundraising, or sales environments
• Knowledge of the principles, ethics, and practices of successful fundraising;
• An outgoing and positive personality, strong interpersonal skills, and a collaborative working style;
• Strong written, oral, and data-analysis skills;
• Familiarity with technology, software, and digital tools to communicate and engage with others;
• Ability to work and navigate within a complex organization and with a variety of constituencies;
• Willingness to learn, collaborate, and grow within a high-performing fundraising team.

Preferred hiring standards:

• Master's degree and/or 3-5 years of professional experience in front-line major gift fundraising work, customer relations, or sales-related fields;
• Three or more years of professional fundraising experience, preferably in an academic medical center, healthcare, or higher education (Research I) setting, or similar complex environments;
• Demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure gifts;
• Demonstrated ability to execute objectives and goals aligned to the mission of a complex, urban university and the ability to persuasively represent its goals to multiple constituents;
• Ability to plan and execute travel for donor visits that may include overnight trips;
• CFRE certification.

FLSA
University Employee

Job FTE
100

Exemption Status
Exempt

Restricted Position
Yes

E-Class
UF - University Employee FT

Job Category
University Employee

ORP Eligible
Yes

Salary Range
Minimum $85,000, commensurate with experience

Compensation Type
Salaried

Target Hire Date
5/10/2025

Contact Information for Candidates

Julia Ayscue
joayscue@vcu.edu

Documents Needed to Apply