The Opportunity

Brandeis University – a distinguished top-tier private research university recognized for its academic excellence and leading-edge research – has an exciting opportunity for a talented and motivated Assistant Director, Parent and Family Giving.

Brandeis is dedicated to first-rate undergraduate education while making groundbreaking scientific discoveries, advancing artistic and creative expression, and tackling some of society’s most pressing economic, human rights, and health policy issues. Brandeis offers a culture of learning and mentorship essential to a 21st-century liberal arts education where close relationships with professors and research opportunities enable students at all levels to collaborate with faculty members and peers across the institution.  Established as a nonsectarian university in 1948 by members of the American Jewish community, our visionary founders shared a commitment to social justice and to making the world a better place. Our founders’ pioneering spirit and intellectual pursuits continue today at Brandeis – from helping to solve a national public health crisis through work at its Opioid Policy Research Collaborative, to the biological discoveries that, in 2017, earned two faculty members a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

We aspire to further such important endeavors and are looking to grow our team with individuals who share our passion and commitment. In preparation for its next ambitious campaign, the Division of Institutional Advancement (IA) seeks to strengthen the bonds with the university’s many constituencies. By working together, we will secure the financial resources necessary to continue the legacy of excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship at Brandeis.

Located nine-miles west of downtown Boston, a global hub for higher education and innovation, Brandeis University is accessible via major highways (I-90 and I-95) and the MBTA Brandeis/Roberts commuter rail stop.

Position Summary

As an integral member of the IA Division’s fundraising and constituent engagement team, the Assistant Director, Parent and Family Giving, in partnership with the Executive Director, is primarily responsible for supporting the growth of  the Parent and Family Giving program for Brandeis.  The Assistant Director will focus their efforts on cultivating and strengthening relationships among Brandeis parents and families, encouraging student success and promoting philanthropic support to the University.  Reporting to the Executive Director, Parent and Family Giving, the Assistant Director is an integral member of the IA Division’s fundraising and constituent engagement team.

The AD must demonstrate a desire to welcome parents and families to the Brandeis community; to help create opportunities for meaningful involvement; work with the Executive Director to connect families with one another; and assist with educating families about valuable resources, critical issues and topics relevant to student success. S/he will support the management of the Parents Leadership Council and assist with efforts to recruit, train and support parent volunteers. In collaboration with the University Office of Parents & Families, Office of Student Life, Alumni Relations and others, the AD will also help with coordination and staffing of events and activities during the admissions recruitment process, at orientation, Family Weekend, and Commencement.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Development:

• Assist Executive Director in supporting the Parents Leadership Council and its members, in building upon the Council’s activities to maximize its impact and increase membership.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to develop, manage, and execute Parent and Family Giving program communication and marketing plans for internal and external purposes.
• Manage the Legacy Parent program, including an annual event during Family Weekend.
• Enhance partnerships with other campus departments supporting the new student and family experience, including Family Weekend.
• Assist with special events, project management and donor campus visits as needed.

Communications, Data Management & Other Duties:

• Routinely interacts and collaborates with staff, both within and outside of IA, as well as with University faculty, staff and administrators.
• Support Annual Fund appeal process for parents, coordinating with Director of Marketing & Participation.
• Collaborate with Communications staff to develop and manage content for the parent giving website.
• Write content for donor newsletters, appeals, and other parent giving communications.
• Record activities, contacts, correspondence, proposals and strategy plans in the donor database, working with support staff to ensure proper records administration and that constituent biographic and contact data maintained in the database is accurate and up-to-date.
• Takes on additional projects and tasks as requested by supervisor and within a logical relation to current working duties.

Fundraising and Volunteer Management:

• Supports Executive Director and other gift officers in parent and family engagement and fundraising activities, as appropriate.
• Works with the Executive Director and other members of the IA team, as well as University faculty and members of the campus staff, to identify and cultivate parents to support programs and initiatives at the University.
• Recruits, manages and leverages the relationships of parent volunteers for fundraising and engagement purposes.
• Coordinates special projects/tasks and assists as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3-5 years of experience, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Proven track record of working in a dynamic, evolving and highly energetic fundraising environment.
• Presents a collegial, collaborative, and customer-service demeanor that positively reflects the core values and standards of the institution and demonstrates tact and diplomacy.
• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to apply sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to professional ethics and data security when dealing with highly confidential constituent, donor, and prospect information.
• Demonstrates proficiency in email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and conferencing software, and relational databases with an ability to become comfortable and productive with the University’s alumni and donor systems.  MS Office Suite and Salesforce experience highly desired.
• Adheres to University and departmental business policies and procedures. 
• Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail and follow-up. 
• Self-motivated with an ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends with an attitude of doing what it takes to get the job done. 
• Must be able and willing to travel frequently throughout the United States and international regions, as needed, to attend events and meet with prospects and donors to further cultivation and solicitation strategies.

Closing Statement

Brandeis University is committed to providing its students, faculty and staff with an environment conducive to learning and working and where all people are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity, religion, disability, age, genetics, active military or veteran status and any other characteristics protected under applicable federal or Massachusetts law.