Associate Director of Development, Owen

The Associate Director of Development will be responsible for soliciting gifts of $100,000 and larger, for Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management (Owen) team within the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) department.  This position is responsible for development solicitation strategies for potential major gift donors; make direct solicitations; staff dean, faculty, and volunteers as needed.

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University's teaching and research programs. 

You can visit our website for more information:  https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Identify, cultivate and solicit alumni, parents and friends for gifts of $100,000 and above, develop solicitation strategies for potential major gift donors; make direct solicitations; staff dean, faculty, and volunteers as needed.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 major gift prospects and donors.
• Make a minimum of 75 face-to-face meetings each fiscal year.
• Travel regularly to ensure discovery and cultivation of prospect and donors in assigned territory is ongoing. Travel expectation is approximately 24 trips per year.
• Secure $750,000+ annually in dollars raised.
• Make 15-20 solicitations at the $100k+ level each fiscal year. 
• Support the Associate Dean of Development and the Senior Director in strengthening the major gift pipeline for Owen.
• Support the activities of the Owen Alumni Board by recruiting potential members, managing relationships with Alumni Board members, and staffing events. 
• Represent the Associate Dean of Development and Senior Director as needed.

      Establish oneself as a knowledgeable staff member by:

• Learning the Vanderbilt mission and being knowledgeable about Vanderbilt and Owen's responsibilities to the mission.
• Attaining an in-depth understanding of Owen development programs and their goals.

Cultivate relationships with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) staff, faculty, Deans and administrators within Owen, and Vanderbilt University as a whole.  In addition, cultivate relationships with external constituencies such as alumni, parents, and friends of the University by:

• Collaborating with DAR staff to build and maintain best practices in soliciting major gifts
• Establishing a sound working relationship with DAR staff to enhance collaboration.  This includes working with other major gifts officers, operations/advancement services, school leadership, reunion teams, and the DAR leadership team.

Enhance departmental performance standards by:

• Performing as a team player
• Maintaining a level of reliability that generates stability in the department
• Meeting or exceeding department performance standards
• Fostering a spirit of cooperation

Contribute to departmental efficiency by:

• Understanding and effectively communicating departmental policy and procedures
• Clearly communicating concerns and questions to supervisor and staff
• Soliciting guidance from supervisor and co-workers when uncertainty arises
• Conveying thoughts to supervisor on improving departmental performance
• Performing other duties as assigned

Approach each situation with a professional attitude by:

• Exercising good judgment in discussing issues and results
• Maintaining composure and a calm demeanor during challenging situations
• Respecting the need for confidentiality of donors and colleagues

Work Environment:

This is a hybrid role based in Nashville in the office approximately 1 day per week depending on business needs.

Supervisory Relationship

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director of Development for Owen.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, is necessary 

Experience and Skills:

• Three years of development or relevant experience, or the equivalent, is necessary
• Three to five years of experience in higher education development preferred, including direct donor solicitation of five and six figure gifts from individuals
• Willingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and larger
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employees
• Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information
• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt's donor management system
• Experience with trip planning, domestic travel, and scheduling discovery appointments with individuals (i.e., donors, prospects, clients, customers that applicant may have never met before)
• Exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies and possess a genuine commitment to the advancement of education, research, and to the principles governing Development and Alumni Relations
• Routine overnight travel is required
• Some evening and weekend work, as needed
• Familiarity with Vanderbilt and/or solid understanding of a major research university environment is preferred. 
• The capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex academic environment
• The ability to apply sound judgment in all situations is required, as are excellent organizational skills with a meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever changing priorities are essential
• Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications skills and the ability to articulate the needs, interests and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences 
• Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Operating a motor vehicle is a regular and necessary part of this position. A motor vehicle registration (MVR) check is routinely conducted to ensure compliance.