Job Summary: Fairfield University is seeking two dynamic Assistant Directors of Development to join its successful University Advancement team. The Assistant Directors will play an integral part in achieving the strategic goal of increasing annual support and alumni participation while building Fairfield’s future major gift prospect pipeline. Through the strategic management of a fluid portfolio of approximately 150-200 prospects, the Assistant Directors will identify, qualify, cultivate and solicit new prospects, promoting annual unrestricted giving at and above the President’s Circle level ($1K+), and qualify prospects who can become $50,000+ donors to reassign to the major gifts team.

Qualifications: 

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience: 3+ years of frontline fundraising or sales, with demonstrated experience achieving and exceeding goals. Personal solicitation experience in higher education preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:     

• Experience raising annual support while qualifying and soliciting prospects for larger gifts.
• Experience making cold calls and other introductory contacts to secure appointments with prospects.
• An aptitude to network among and solicit high net worth individuals.
• Knowledge of moves management and qualifying prospects at their appropriate gift levels (i.e. major gift)
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate Fairfield University’s mission and case for philanthropic support.
• Must excel at writing, interviewing and listening.
• Ability to effectively build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external constituents.
• Goal driven and self-motivated.
• Proficiency with basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office, social media and other networking tools, experience using databases and an ability to analyze and manipulate large data sets.
• Commitment to the mission of Fairfield University.

Work Conditions: Travel 50% or more per month to achieve visit and other goals is required, which involves some overnight travel and driving at night. Occasional attendance at evening and weekend events required. Valid driver’s license required.

Essential Functions:

• Manage and develop strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, steward and reassign a fluid portfolio of 150-200 alumni prospects. This includes acquiring new donors and upgrade President Circle donors, focusing on unrestricted gifts, and qualifying prospects for reassignment to major gift team members. Use a variety of techniques such as phone calls, emails, correspondence, and face-to-face visits.
  • Conduct 175 visits per year (~15 per month), 100 – 125 of which are qualification visits.
  • Meet fundraising goal of $100,000 during first 12 months, progressively increasing in year 2 and year 3, by personally soliciting prospects in a portfolio.
  • Achieve a 65% alumni participation rate for prospects in portfolio.
  • Qualify and suggest to move a minimum of 30 prospects per years to the MG DODs.
  • Conduct at least one form of communication (phone call, email, letter) each month for all prospects in portfolio as part of the qualification, cultivation and solicitation process. Document all communications in Raiser’s Edge.
• Conduct timely moves management on all prospects in portfolio to maximize fundraising potential for the University.
  • Update and maintain donor database with interactions, opportunities, plans, and outcomes to produce comprehensive understanding to be use in identifying prospect stages and reassignments.
  • Work with Prospect Management and supervisor monthly to identify prospects for reassignment to and out of portfolio.
• Attend alumni engagement events for the purpose of identifying new and cultivating existing prospects.
• Learn and continuously enhance knowledge and understanding of Fairfield’s mission, priorities, history, and characteristics of alumni base.
• Participates in the professional development of the department.  This involves:
  • Promoting efficiency and courtesy throughout the University community
  • Participating in departmental/staff meetings as necessary
  • Serving as a responsible committee representative as requested
  • Communicating effectively with supervisor concerning pertinent matters
  • Promotes safe and secure working conditions.  This involves:
    • Promoting the proper utilization of equipment, tools, and materials
    • Notifying supervisor immediately regarding any unsafe working conditions
• Performs other related duties as dictated by responsibilities or directed by supervisor.