Position Summary

The Associate Director, Parent and Family Giving (AD) is primarily responsible for the strategic management of a portfolio of approximately 100 – 125 individuals and households, with a particular emphasis on building up the Parent and Family Giving program for Brandeis.  The AD will focus their efforts on cultivating and strengthening relationships among Brandeis parents and families, encouraging student success and promoting philanthropic support to the University.  Reporting to the Executive Director, Parent and Family Giving, the Associate Director is an integral member of the IA Division’s fundraising and constituent engagement team.

The Associate Director initiates, develops and implements strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects and donors interested in supporting Brandeis’ Parent and Family Giving program.  The AD will routinely cultivate and solicit prospects for gifts of $5,000 or more and will work collaboratively with other Institutional Advancement colleagues to optimize philanthropic support.

The AD must demonstrate a desire to welcome parents and families to the Brandeis community; to help create opportunities for meaningful involvement; work with the Executive Director to connect families with one another; and assist with educating families about valuable resources, critical issues and topics relevant to student success. S/he will support the management of the Parents Leadership Council and assist with efforts to recruit, train and support parent volunteers. In collaboration with the University Office of Parents & Families, Office of Student Life, Alumni Relations and others, the AD will also help with coordination and staffing of events and activities during the admissions recruitment process, at orientation, Family Weekend, and Commencement.

Primary Responsibilities

• Fundraising and Portfolio Management (40%)
  • Manages a portfolio of 100 – 125 prospects and collaborates on parent and family cultivation and solicitation with other fundraising staff.
  • Plans and manages an effective schedule of contacts and meetings; arrange campus visits; and engage University leaders, faculty, staff and other advancement colleagues in parent and family engagement activities, as appropriate.
  • Works with the Executive Director and other members of the IA team, as well as University faculty and members of the campus staff, to identify, cultivate, and solicit parents to support programs and initiatives at the University.
  • Leverages the relationships of parent volunteers for fundraising and engagement purposes.
  • Maintains a regular and consistent travel schedule to assigned geographic territories to identify new prospects for pipeline development into one’s personal portfolio and/or for partnership with other staff members and departments within the IA Division.

• Program Development (30%)
  • Assists Executive Director in supporting the Parents Leadership Council and its members. Refines and builds upon the Council’s activities to maximize its impact and increase membership.
  • Collaborates with the Executive Director to develop, manage, and execute Parent and Family Giving program communication and marketing plans for internal and external purposes.
  • Identifies, develops and coordinates parent volunteer opportunities for leadership parent prospects and donors.
  • Enhances partnerships with University departments supporting the new student and family experience. Liaison with academic and administrative departments to elevate unit offerings and collaborate effectively to meet identified objectives.

• Communications and Data Management (30%)
  • Routinely interacts and collaborates with staff, both within and outside of IA as well as with University faculty, staff and administrators.
  • Manages Annual Fund appeal process for parents, coordinating with Director of Marketing & Participation.
  • Develops and manages content for the parent giving website.
  • Writes content for donor newsletters, appeals, and other parent giving communications.
  • Records activities, contacts, correspondence, proposals and strategy plans in the donor database, working with support staff to ensure proper records administration and that constituent biographic and contact data maintained in the database is accurate and up-to-date.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5-8 years of total work-related experience required; experience in a higher education or non-profit setting preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts at the $5,000 + level.
• Proven track record of working in a dynamic, evolving and highly energetic fundraising environment.
• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with colleagues and external constituents in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to apply good judgment and discretion when dealing with highly confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor and prospect information.
• Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with an ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities to meet challenging timelines and achieve annual goals.
• Adheres to University and departmental business policies and procedures.
• Presents a collegial, collaborative and customer-service demeanor that positively reflects the core values and standards of the institution and demonstrates tact and diplomacy.
• Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends with an attitude of doing what it takes to get the job done.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion aren’t just important values at Brandeis today — they are rooted in our identity as an institution. They serve as a regular reminder for self-reflection, and a continuous call to grow.  Founded as a model of ethnic and religious pluralism, Brandeis University welcomes students, faculty, and staff of every nationality, religion, and orientation.  Social justice is central to the mission of Brandeis, which endeavors to foster a just and inclusive campus culture that embraces the diversity of our larger society.  Brandeis embodies the American heritage of cultural diversity, equal access to opportunity and freedom of expression.  Read more online about our Mission and Diversity Statements.

Brandeis University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of Brandeis University not to discriminate against any person on account of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by federal or state law. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Vice President of Human Resources, Bernstein-Marcus Administration building, phone: 781-736-4464.