As a member of the Office of Annual Giving Programs, the Associate Director, George Eastman Circle will work within a team environment toward the successful implementation of leadership annual giving at the University of Rochester. This position will report to the Executive Director, George Eastman Circle and will work across the diverse matrix of schools and unit advancement professionals within our organization in support of the University of Rochester and Medical Center.

Responsibilities: 

Regional Management and Personal Solicitation of George Eastman Circle members and high-end annual giving prospects – 40%

• (30%) Through a minimum of 180 face-to-face personal visits per year, in addition to multiple telephone conversations and email correspondence; initiate and/or strengthen relationships with George Eastman Circle (GEC) leadership annual giving prospects in assigned geographic regions. Create strategies for and solicit donors capable of contributing gifts of at least $1,500 per year. Concentrate on discovery and cultivation of these prospects to encourage consistent leadership annual giving.
  • Primary portfolio of ~250 individuals will include management of targeted alumni prospects within assigned regions and stewardship of current George Eastman Circle (GEC) members including solicitations for membership renewals. National travel is required; primarily traveling at least monthly to regions with the highest volume of alumni leadership annual giving prospects. Performance metrics required for 1:1 personal solicitation visits, GEC membership commitments closed, and total dollars raised.
• (10%) Collaboratively establish donor strategies for key leadership annual giving prospects within portfolio. Develop relationships with Advancement officers across schools and units to steward alumni; collaborate with regional officers to coordinate solicitation and engagement strategies for key prospects.

George Eastman Circle – Membership Engagement and Volunteer Support – 30%

• (20%) In partnership with the GEC regional engagement team, attend GEC stewardship and prospecting events within assigned region(s). Encourage prospect and member attendance. Assist with GEC council meetings and help steward GEC volunteers as needed.
• (10%) Assist with identification of current GEC members to serve as council members for their region. Train, provide giving information and manage peer-to-peer volunteer solicitations. Work with volunteers to steward GEC members including acknowledgment letters, event attendance, and personal solicitations.

George Eastman Circle – Affinity Gift Campaign Support – 20%

• For assigned prospects celebrating a reunion year or for affinity campaigns, assist with achieving key GEC fundraising goals by prioritizing and soliciting leadership annual giving prospects. Target GEC renewals and upgrades to increase potential to reach goals. Collaborate with Class Giving team as needed to ensure informative communications, timely solicitations, and a successful experience for assigned prospects.

Continued Training and Professional Development – 5%

• Update “product knowledge” through regular meetings with school-based colleagues; attend trainings on UR Advancement protocols and procedures; technical training on Advancement’s prospect management system; honing of professional skills through conferences, training, and individual mentoring when possible; participation in all Annual Giving and Advancement meetings and activities.

Other Duties – 5%

Perform other duties as required in support of Advancement goals and mission by the Executive Director, George Eastman Circle, or Assoc. VP of Annual Giving and School Programs.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 5-7 years of relevant experience isrequired
• Superb oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills required
• Ability to travel at least monthly and work occasionally on evenings and weekends
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to effectively solicit and close gifts
• Sound judgment and experience handling confidential information
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, working both independently and within a dynamic complex organization
• Exceptional ability to think strategically and analytically
• Strong relationship-building skills, able to interface with alumni, donors, and volunteers
• Ability to work collegially within Advancement and across all University units
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Word & Excel, navigation within a complex data query system, and Internet research capabilities

Skills and Abilities Desired: 

• Knowledge of the University of Rochester and Medical Center
• A demonstrated commitment to higher education and the ability to articulate a persuasive case for annual, unrestricted support of the University
• Strong initiative, creativity, and drive to “sell and close”
• High energy level, sense of humor, and enthusiasm for building relationships

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.