Position Objective: 

The director of leadership annual and special giving will provide leadership for university-wide leadership annual and special giving initiatives, lead the strategic direction and execution of the leadership annual giving program through direct mail and email, and manage top alumni volunteers to increase engagement and cultivate major gift prospects. Functioning as a member of the central annual fund team, the director will work in partnership with school and college development colleagues to raise the school’s local, regional, state, national and international support and build the university’s major gift pipeline.

Essential Functions:

• Manage a portfolio of 150 to 200 regional prospects of donors, alumni, parents, and friends with a giving potential in the range of $10,000-$99,999; develop and implement strategic cultivation and solicitation strategies for each. Take a leadership role in building the university’s major gift pipeline by advancing special giving donors with higher capacity and interest toward larger commitments. Take the lead on gift solicitations and incorporate leadership when necessary (50%).
• In conjunction with the executive director of annual and special giving, design and implement a comprehensive special gifts program designed to identify, cultivate, steward, and solicit all university special giving level donors and prospects. Recommend dollar goals for the special giving program, develop strategies for attainment, and track and report special gift donor activity (20%).
• In conjunction with the executive director of annual and special giving, create the vision and lead strategic efforts for the leadership annual and special giving program to achieve yearly goals in collaboration with university colleagues, through quarterly appeals, emails, phone calls and in-person meetings (15%).
• Assist school and college annual and special giving officers with implementing reunion giving strategies for over 10 reunion classes each year. Identifying and secure reunion leadership and special gifts, which could include assisting with the creation of new funds and coordinating stewardship. (15%)

Nonessential Functions: 

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. (<1%)

Contacts: 

• Department: Daily contact with the executive director, directors, and manager of department. Contact with staff as required to perform essential functions.
• University: Contact with the college and professional school development staff, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.
• External: Contact with donors, alumni, parents, friends of the university and vendors.
• Students: Infrequent contact with undergraduate, graduate, and professional students as required to perform essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility: 

No staff supervisory responsibility.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 7 or more years work experience; 3 years in development, public relations, engagement, or related field.  Experience in non-profit organizations or higher education is preferred.
• Education/Licensing: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Required Skills: 

• High degree of energy, creativity, flexibility, organization, and interpersonal skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Experience with volunteer management and peer-to-peer fundraising.
• Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Available to work outside of regular office hours as required.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.

Working Conditions: 

General office environment; occasional nights and weekend hours.

Diversity Statement:

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable Accommodation: 

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

COVID Vaccination:

Case Western Reserve University has implemented a COVID Vaccination policy requiring evidence of COVID-19 vaccination for all students, faculty and staff with an on-campus presence. Religious and medical exemptions may be provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. For more information go to: https://case.edu/equity/covid-19-  accommodations. Applicants may contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 /[email protected] for information regarding religious or medical exemptions as an accommodation.