The Assistant Vice President of Development works collaboratively to develop, implement and achieve strategic plans for increasing private support, provides leadership and direction for assigned units and is directly involved in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts.  Effectively communicates the mission and values of the University and has a working knowledge of current best practices in all aspects of fundraising.  Colaborates with colleagues in the Foundation and across the campus community.

• Maintains a portfolio. Primarily raises major gifts from $1M and above. Regularly raises from $50,000 to multimillions through personal solicitation from major gift prospects, including alumni, friends, corporations and/or foundations.
• Responsible for development and implementation of overarching fundraising strategy, management of metrics, and benchmarks for unit fundraising.
• Leads, plans, directs, and manages the activities, training and evaluation of unit development programs in support of annual goals and campaigns.
• Participates in university-wide prospect management, cultivation and stewardship of donors and prospects. Develops and stewards personal relationships among alumni and donors with the institution. Determines which alumni, friends, corporations and foundation should be approached for major gifts.
• Develops strong positive relationships with the university community and partners. Supports, trains and coordinates the activities of key leadership volunteers (Foundation Trustees, campaign committee members and volunteers, etc.).Works closely with University Deans and Executive Officer.
• Participates (typically in concert with others) in multi-million dollar gift solicitations to fund University programs and to enhance the development efforts of assigned Colleges, schools and departments.
• Provides leadership in the stewardship and oversight of gifts and grants related to advancement within the assigned units. Ensures the awarding of scholarship funds established by charitable donations in the college and for stewarding scholarship gifts of the college.
• Serves as a key member of the University Advancement team. Participates in and adheres to university-wide prospect
• management guidelines for cultivation and stewardship of donors and prospects. Ensures the cooperative participation with Development staff in the University prospect management and tracking system, as well as with University alumni relations.
• Solicits support from previous and potential donors to the University. Manages a personal portfolio of individual and institutional leadership gift prospects and participate in their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Meets with potential donors on campus, nationally, and in the community. Travels nationally and internationally to meet with prospects. Attends meetings, gatherings or University sponsored events.
• Recruits, manages, supervises, motivates, trains, and retains experienced and competent professional and support staff in collaboration with University administrators. Implements management methods to achieve fundraising and donor relations & stewardship goals, including monitoring and assessment of performance. Ensures that the staff comply with University policies and standards. Manages staff development including setting of performance standards and expectations, training, mentoring, and ongoing performance management and evaluation.
• Leads and manages College/School/Unit/Program development teams in the strategic development, execution, ongoing management and continued growth of long-term fundraising goals and operational plans. Works with
• University Deans and College/Unit constituent groups to be ambassadors for philanthropy. Develops, implements and evaluates development plans and corresponding goals that reflect the College/Unit/Program’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Keeps abreast of current best practices in the Development profession and evaluates new and emerging ideas for potential implementation.
• May handle donated funds in the forms of checks or negotiable securities. Accesses confidential information regarding gifts and donors. Represents the University and/or the college at public functions as needed.
• Drafts and reviews written proposal for major gifts. Liaises with gift administration to prepare gift agreements and guidelines. Prepares reports and presentations and presents to volunteer groups.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree in an appropriate specialization and six years of experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate specialization and eight years of experience.

• Must possess 7 or more years of major and/or principal gift fundraising preferably in higher education. Campaign experience is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of FIU or state institution and/or large public university preferred.
• Maintains high degree of confidentiality of prospect and donor records.
• Has ability to engage a diverse array of prospects and influence, energize prospects outside of the current FIU prospect circle.
• Well-versed in wealth management, financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws and planned giving vehicles and methods.
• Exhibits self-motivation (a “self-starter”); is innovative and has the ability to work with considerable independence within the context of a team environment and a worldwide network
• of relationships.
• Demonstrates an understanding of university governance and academic administrative and financial policies and guidelines.

Salary:

Starting at $185,000 and commensurate with experience.