Reporting to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the Director of Development is responsible for oversight of all annual giving and leadership gifts programs managed by the Division and that advance the mission of the College. The Director provides leadership, planning, direction and management for all areas of annual and leadership giving. The Director will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing program and develop a strategic road map for substantial and sustainable long-term philanthropic growth including building a volunteer program. The Director develops and maintains a portfolio of alumni, parent and friend leadership gift prospects to personally cultivate, solicit and steward. The Director builds partnerships with colleagues across campus to ensure a strong baseline knowledge of programs and priorities.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership, planning, direction and management – including the implementation and evaluation of strategic direction for annual giving and leadership gifts. Establish performance metrics for individual staff, monitor progress, build a culture of encouragement and productive accountability. Mentor the team to work and partner with colleagues across the College. As needed, join gift officers on prospect/donor visits. Management includes hiring staff, training, mentoring, frequent meetings, performance appraisals and other duties as related to supervision.
• Support SAVP with prospect management, individual donor stewardship and other projects as assigned. Assist with comprehensive campaign execution including review of best practices, data analytics, communications, metrics, goals, strategy development, and other.
• Manage a portfolio of assigned prospects and actively model best practices. Facilitate relationships with assigned prospects while communicating College funding priorities to cultivate and close gifts. This includes meetings with individuals both on and off campus, traveling as appropriate. Utilize and engage campus partners (President’s Leadership Team, Deans, Department Chairs, faculty, coaches, etc.) in the development process as needed. Metrics determined on an annual basis in conjunction with SAVP. Plan, participate and execute events and programs in support of Development activities, both on and off campus.
• Work to promote a positive and productive team dynamic among the staff, including promotion of information sharing, best practices, and creative and innovative techniques that lead to successful outcomes.
• Attendance at staff, departmental, and institutional meetings as required. Participate in College committees, representing the Division as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree required with more than 8 years of related higher education fundraising experience. Master’s degree preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Office practices and procedures.
• Philanthropy trends and current resources for data.
• Variety of philanthropic strategies and methods, including the annual fund, major giving, comprehensive campaign strategy and affinity group giving and communication strategies for each.
• Approaches to working with principal/major gift prospects and donors.
• Trends in digital engagement and philanthropy.
• Metrics and predictive analytics for fundraising and fundraisers.
• Springfield College community and campus setting.
• Customer service concepts and best practices.
• Working with large and complex organizations.
• Supervisor and management best practices.

Skills:

• Project management.
• Staff management.
• Ability to prioritize.
• Computer/Digital proficiency: database, word processing, presentation, digital philanthropy platforms, analytical tools, other.
• Interpersonal/customer service skills, via telephone and in person.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong listener and thoughtful questioner.
• Consensus builder, yet makes decisions as leader.

Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability in securing principal/major gifts from individuals and/or corporations and other private funding sources.
• Demonstrated ability in planning and implementing short- and long-range development initiatives to meet established priorities.
• Ability to manage “up”, working with Vice President, President, and Board of Trustees.
• Ability to hire, train, mentor and manage development staff, including setting and monitoring appropriate fundraiser metrics to promote accountability and goal attainment.
• Ability to direct and manage volunteers.
• Exercise good judgement and to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Plan, organize and coordinate activities and special events.
• Adjust priorities as necessary, independently as well as in conference with Vice President.
• Foster effective working relationships within a team environment, leading by example.
• Apply and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required.

Computer & Software:

• Proficiency with Google products, Microsoft Office – Excel, PowerPoint & Word, and Blackbaud constituent database

Regular evening and weekends as necessary to staff events such as Reunion, Homecoming, and other Development/Alumni functions.

Development work is driven by the fiscal year, with high volume times being September through December and March through June. Other times are busy however, peak times are those months.

Regular travel required. Travel is necessary to meet with prospective donors or donors as required by portfolio management. That travel may be local, regional or national in scope and take place over multiple days, requiring overnight stays. Duration may be longer the further from Springfield to maximize departmental budget.

Valid driver’s license, with a College insurable driving history, is required for this position. A full motor vehicle/driving history report will be required as a part of the background check process.

This position has been designed as forward facing and as such, the incumbent will be required to be immunized against COVID-19 on or before their first day of employment. Proof of vaccination status, or an attestation to the same effect, will be required. Individuals may seek ADA accommodations or a religious exemption, upon request with HR, but must do so prior to their arrival.

Springfield College is committed to enhancing diversity and equity in education and employment. To that end, the College welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences, who will contribute to a culture of inclusion and respect. For more information about Springfield College’s position on diversity and inclusion, please visit our Office of Inclusion and Community Engagement.