Job Summary:

Under the general direction of the Executive Director, Engagement & Annual Programs, the Director, Parent Philanthropy and Engagement is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the parent program, which seeks to increase and enhance engagement with and raise funds from rated parents whose children are current or former UCI students. He/she will develop, plan, and implement programs to encourage and increase parent giving and enhance parent relations. He/she will be primarily responsible for expanding both the major and annual giving parent fundraising. The Director will be responsible to identify and cultivate individual prospects capable of making gifts in excess of $25,000. The Director will be responsible for soliciting gifts both independently or in collaboration with unit-based development professionals in support of University-wide priorities.

Job Description:

Job Essential Function 1
Percent of Time: 100%

• The Director will manage prospect cultivation, stewardship and build relationships with university administrators and faculty leading to successful gift solicitations; oversee the Parents Leadership Council and engagement events for parents including family weekend; and manage the parent programs team.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, Engagement and Annual Programs and Associate Director of Parent Programs, plan, direct, monitor, and coordinate the major and gift parent fundraising program responsible for an annual fundraising goal of approximately $2 million from parents.
• Meet with prospects to assess his/her interest in the University, evaluate future donor viability, and match prospect motivation with the appropriate department or discipline.
• Develop strategies to direct and manage a comprehensive centrally-managed major gifts program to qualify and cultivate new donors in support of the University’s mission and campaigns.
• Coordinate nature of contacts with assigned prospects. Conduct 12 face-to-face meetings per month.
• Facilitate relationships between potential donors and the institution’s senior administrators, deans, faculty, trustees, alumni and others.
• Qualify 5 new prospects each month.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to determine which identified prospects have viable potential to make gifts of $25,000+ or more.
• Coordinate regular review of the prospect list to re-prioritize as needed to ensure appropriate focus on the most likely major gift prospects.
• Review prospect strategies regularly for refinement and determine next steps to move the prospect closer to the point where it is appropriate to ask for a major gift.
• Work closely with University development professionals regarding prospect strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship when a collaborative effort is appropriate.
• Consult with the supervisor regularly and keep the team informed of progress with prospect solicitations and major gift strategy.
• Cultivate and collaboratively solicit major donor prospects at the $25,000 to $1M level; this effort will be done collaboratively or independently based on each situation and the donor’s interests.
• This position will require that the Director conduct extensive outreach and some cold calling to qualify prospects.
• Develop innovative engagement opportunities for previously unqualified donors (major gift suspects).
• Develop an annual business plan and budget for inclusion in the Engagement & Annual Programs plan.
• Provide monthly status reports on the number of contacts, proposals, and solicitations.
• Coordinate individual strategies for key major gift prospects (in collaboration with university officers, faculty, and development staff, including active participation in solicitations as required).
• Provide assistance to Deans and school-based development programs to identify new major gift prospects with interest in specific campus projects or programs.
• Collaborate with Development personnel and volunteers to successfully close major gifts, complying with accounting and investment policies as well as governmental requirements.
• Create an effective pipeline of donor prospects to provide a steady flow of prospects, donors, and volunteers to higher levels of giving.
• Maintain and encourage close working relationships between Annual Programs, Principal Gifts, Legacy Planning, and unit-based development officers.
• Prepare written proposals and/or other written materials for use during donor qualification, cultivation, and solicitation.

Relationships:

• Work with the Assistant Vice Chancellor, University Development, the Executive Director, Engagement & Annual Programs, individual development directors, and Manager of Prospect Development to coordinate prospect qualification and initial prospect contact in accordance with University fundraising policies.
• Maintain effective working relationships with all departments in University Advancement.
• Participate in the campus prospect management system, development officer forums, and University Advancement planning meetings to supervisor the major gifts qualification activities.

Scope:

• Is responsible operating budget for this specialized function.
• Supervise the Associate Director of Parent Programs and Development Coordinator, UCI Parents Program.
• Is responsible for compliance with all UCI policies and procedures including but not limited to solicitation and acceptance of gifts, alumni and support group policies, and naming policies.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse and high-level group of individuals in a diplomatic and professional manner and build consensus and cohesion within the staff.
• Resourcefulness in finding appropriate solutions to problems and initiative in presenting alternatives and implementing solutions to ensure effective progress. Ability to anticipate problems and take necessary action to eliminate or mitigate potential negative effects.
• Ability to be flexible in working independently as well as collaboratively with Advancement and faculty and staff to achieve defined goals. Use initiative to organize and follow through with complex tasks to meet deadlines.
• Skills to use a personal computer and computer software programs at the level of sophistication required for the development office. Proven ability to use MS Office Suite and a variety of database programs. Knowledge of Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with the Internet and how to conduct searches.
• Possess traits of good judgment, confidentiality, and discretion in communicating with colleagues and constituents.
  Broad knowledge of the principles of major gift fundraising, within a major research university; a minimum of five years of successful major gift fundraising in a complex development program.
• Experience working in a capital campaign and knowledge of concepts from planning phase to conclusion is desired.
  Successful experience working with volunteers leaders and university administrators to ensure an integrated, organized effort.
• Understanding of academic, research and education functions and operating principals of a major research university.
• Ability to work effectively with other advancement staff in devising, analyzing, modifying, implementing and evaluating this program.
• The ability to work effectively in a large, complex, and dynamic organization.
• A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience is required.
• May work occasional evenings and weekends.
• May be required to drive on occasion in order to perform the routine or essential job responsibilities for the position.
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and participate in the DMV Pull Notice Program.

University Advancement:

In a relatively short period of time, the University of California, Irvine has achieved tremendous success. A top public university, UCI has become internationally-recognized for improving lives through research and discovery, fostering excellence in scholarship and teaching, and engaging and enriching the community. With plans for major campus growth and having just completed a comprehensive campaign, the future is even brighter… The university is seeking experienced, innovative development professionals to lead our fundraising efforts at a time of great excitement and opportunity for the campus.

We offer competitive salary ranges, excellent benefits—including a minimum of three weeks of vacation per year—and career advancement opportunities. UCI is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. UCI Human Resources, 111 Theory, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92617.

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy

Salary: Commensurate with experience
Total Hours: 8-5, M-F
Career Position.
Final candidate subject to background check.
As a federal contractor, UC Irvine is required to use E-Verify to confirm the work status of individuals assigned to perform substantial work under certain federal contracts/subcontracts.

Please attach your resume.