Job Summary: 

In collaboration with the College Dean(s) and the University Advancement Team, the Assistant/Associate Director of Advancement is responsible for securing gifts to support the University’s fundraising goals.  The Assistant/Associate Director is responsible for developing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.  Develop an annual work plan that outlines strategies for communication, engagement, and fundraising efforts.  Enlist the support of University partners to develop appropriate strategies for donors.

Manage a portfolio of 100-120 major gift donors and assigned prospects who can make a major gift.  Serve as primary staff for individual prospects, developing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies as part of an annual work plan.  Responsible for conducting 15 monthly meaningful contacts for field research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Assist with preparing written proposals, gift agreements, and other materials needed to define, secure, and document gifts.  Effectively utilize database to record contacts with donors and prospects, and analyze potential donor research materials to target prospective donors.

Extensive travel, evening and weekend work is required to meet/visit meaningful contact benchmark requirements.

Education/Experience: 

Advanced degree with demonstrated experience in major donor and gift solicitation or an equivalent combination of education and related experience required.

Required Qualifications: 

• Three to five years of direct fundraising experience  with advanced degree and demonstrated experience in annual, major donor and gift cultivation and solicitation, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Qualified candidates will demonstrate experience in fund raising and the process of acquiring philanthropic support from alumni and friends.
• Must possess strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills with the demonstrated ability to build, foster and maintain relationships with both internal and external constituencies including administrators, faculty and staff, volunteer leaders, students, and alumni.
• The ability to multi-task, work independently, as well as collaborate in a team-based environment.
• Knowledge of current office software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, and development software such as Raiser’s Edge.
• Must have the availability to travel and work non-traditional hours as needed to carry out responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Experience in a higher education setting, experience in development or alumni relations, experience with managing a prospect portfolio.

Normal Work Schedule: Some evenings and weekends required to perform job.

Radford University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, or political affiliation in the administration of its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices.