| Job Description: |
JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Advancement leads the planning and execution of a comprehensive philanthropy and external relations program for the George A. Smathers Libraries in coordination with the Dean of University Libraries. This position reports dually to the Dean of University Libraries and the Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Development.
The Director leads a team of development professionals that work collaboratively with library deans, chairs, and librarians, as well as colleagues outside of the Libraries to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward philanthropic support for the Smathers Libraries initiatives and strategic priorities. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing and providing direction to the work of the advancement team in securing all private support, executing donor stewardship, development of public support groups, fundraising event coordination, and relations between the Libraries, its Library Leadership Board, and other groups of library donors, the University of Florida and the UF Advancement. The Director is responsible for implementing a broad range of fundraising activities but will focus primarily on major gifts and leadership of the overall advancement program. Additionally, the Director will attend strategic engagement events in support of Smathers Libraries fundraising goals.
THE GOLD STANDARD CULTURE
At UF Advancement we are committed to “The Gold Standard Culture” and live it through:
Our Vision: To be ranked among the best, as measured by Voluntary Support of Education
Our Mission: To be a catalyst in securing and managing private support for university priorities
Our Values:
- Excellence – Strive for greatness as an institution that brings out the best in each individual.
- Discovery & Innovation – Collaborate on the uncharted frontiers of knowledge to seek truth and make the world a better place.
- Inclusion – Demonstrate commitment to contributing to a respectful and caring community for all and seek to provide equitable access to opportunity.
- Freedom & Civility – Embrace the freedom to inquire and express ideas without condemnation, and to show respect for the right of others to do the same.
- Community – Create a safe, welcoming community and a shared purpose that builds a sense of belonging and togetherness.
- Stewardship – Show respect for those who came before us, responsibility for those now with us, and the commitment to leave a just and habitable world for those who come after us.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Development
- Work closely with the Dean of Libraries and the Assistant Vice President of Development to define, prioritize and develop plans to meet funding needs.
- Build a portfolio of fundraising prospects at the major gift levels ($100,000+) and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits to bring gift solicitations to closure.
- Within 24-36 months of the start date, develop a portfolio that will consistently raise $1.5 - $2 million per year or more in support of the George A. Smathers Libraries, averaging 120-160 personal visits annually and 10-15 gift solicitations per year of $25,000 or more.
- Build and manage a portfolio of major gift donors as well as manage a qualification pipeline.
- Serve as the primary fundraising strategist for Libraries, identifying, qualifying, and stewarding donor prospects up to the major gift level.
- Strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits with Special Collections donors, prospects, and friends.
- Actively identify and research alumni and friends in targeted areas; work with the AVP to develop and implement strategy for securing gifts in these areas, including advancement plans to inform constituents in identified markets about the funding needs and gift opportunities.
- Actively build donor pipeline through in-person visits, volunteer engagement, and other strategies.
- Work closely with the Dean, AVP and the Office of Estate & Gift Planning in identifying and qualifying prospects who have the potential of making a planned gift to Libraries.
- Actively qualify and manage major gift prospects in accordance with their interests, capacity, and propensity, consulting with the AVP on philanthropic engagement strategy and key campus partnerships for collaboration.
- Work with University Initiatives to increase parent and family giving to Libraries.
- In collaboration with the Dean of University Libraries, develop solicitation strategies on case-by-case basis, being cognizant of development office and Library needs and procedures.
- Oversee all stewardship efforts for the Libraries.
- Coordinate stewardship efforts with colleges and support units as well as other colleagues within UF Advancement and University of Florida, as appropriate.
- Acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors and appropriate to the vision, mission, and values of the Smathers Libraries and UF Advancement, ensuring the advancement team is providing timely recognition, appropriate and meaningful recognition.
Leadership and Management
- Recruit, hire, retain and develop the Smathers Libraries Advancement team including a Development Coordinator and Assistant Director of Development.
- Provide leadership, counsel, and accountability on matters relating to fundraising, including establishing goals in alignment with library objectives, developing metrics and strategic planning.
- Provide ongoing leadership and direction to team members in building the Libraries’ donor pipeline through the qualification and solicitation of leadership annual giving donors to the Libraries
- Lead the Libraries participation in university wide fundraising campaigns and initiatives.
External Relations and Volunteer Management
- Implement a series of strategic events designed to promote Special Collections and other library priorities, to engage a larger audience and build a major gift pipeline.
- Oversee the design and execution of fundraising plans that would include special events, VIP and donor lunches and dinners, campus visits with the dean, catered events, Library tours with the dean, team retreats, and meetings and initiatives that promote the engagement of donors and friends.
- Develop support for the program by effectively involving stakeholders, such as volunteers, staff, and members of the Library Leadership Board, in efforts supporting the fundraising program.
- Understand and articulate the unique contributions of Smathers Libraries to education, research, and service on local, national, and international levels.
- Oversee and manage activities and public support programs and events for the Smathers Libraries.
- Coordinate development and alumni activities with Libraries’ public relations staff; assist with Libraries public relations and promotional activities.
- Attend and strategically engage and cultivate donors and prospects at events, providing effective follow-up.
- Provide leadership and direction to the Assistant Director of Development in the management of a successful Friends of the Libraries program to generate gifts between $1,000 and $25,000 that will generate unrestricted support for the library, steward and cultivate those closest to the library, and build a pipeline of new potential donors.
- Lead the advancement team in executing fundraising initiatives for the Smathers Friends of the Libraries and other donor groups, effectively building a pipeline of prospects to ensure future success of the fundraising programs.
- Engage with the UFA Annual Giving Office to ensure successful Friends of the Libraries prospect and pipeline management.
- Provide leadership and support strategic planning efforts as they relate to Smathers Friends of the Libraries.
Library Leadership Board
- Cultivate the Leadership Board, engaging a small group of individuals who can support at a high level or make significant connections on behalf of the library.
- With the Dean of University Libraries, plan, manage, and successfully execute all Library Leadership Board meetings, events, and activities; responsible for preparation of meeting materials and logistics.
- Engage with individual prospects, including Library Leadership Board members.
- Coordinate stewardship reports and activities for individual prospects including Library Leadership Board members with appropriate members of the administration.
- Develop support for Smathers Libraries by effectively involving stakeholders, including Library Leadership Board Members, and staff efforts supporting the fundraising program.
- Create a structured process for the identification, recruitment, evaluation, recognition, and replacement of volunteers to strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
- Collaborate with the Dean and the AVP regarding overall gift strategies for Libraries Leadership Board members as appropriate.
Administrative
- Responsible for effective and timely prospect tracking, record keeping, reporting and administration aligned with the metrics and reporting from UF Advancement.
- Plan and monitor the budget, using resources for best results in fundraising and planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, faculty and administration.
- Ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files and record keeping; ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources such as contact reports, prospect management, research, analysis, and the donor database.
- Assist in evaluating and analyzing programs using established attributes and metrics to produce accurate reports, to guide effective decision making.
- Supervise the Libraries’ Development Coordinator and, once hired, the Assistant Director of Development.
Additional Responsibilities
- Research industry standards, trends, breakthroughs and best practices.
- Implement changes accordingly to maintain the Smathers Libraries’ competitiveness among its peers and other organizations.
- Participate in professional programs at the state and national level as appropriate (CASE, DORAL, ALADN).
- Perform related duties as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishment of the responsibilities and functions related to this position.
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| Preferred Qualifications: |
The ideal candidate will possess:
- At least 5 years of external affairs experience with success in cultivating relationships with individuals and corporate prospects.
- Prior experience in a college or university setting, enthusiasm for fundraising in a comprehensive research university, and the desire to work collegially within a goal-oriented fundraising organization.
- 2+ years’ experience leading a high performing team of 2+, including prior management of development officers. Track record of recruiting, developing, and retaining a high caliber staff, building a team, and creatively organizing and managing them to maximize the support of external constituencies.
- Proven track record of developing and implementing innovative fundraising strategies designed to maximize performance of a development team. This includes knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards; a demonstrated ability to construct, articulate, implement, and monitor an annual strategic development plan; and an excellent track record of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creative problem solving.
- Expertise in developing solicitation strategies.
- The ability to work strategically, develop and implement constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
- Business acumen and the ability to work collaboratively as a team player.
- Must be an outstanding communicator and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills; interpersonal skills; and the ability to work collegially and interact effectively with a broad constituency.
- Proven success working with stakeholders; excellent strategic planning and project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others are required.
- Working knowledge in these areas: Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, internet browsers, preferably Internet Explorer, E-mail. Working knowledge of a donor database, contact management and tracking system.
- The ability and willingness to travel. A valid driver license and good driving record are essential.*
*Business expenses are reimbursed through a standard accounting system. The ability to pay for expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential.
UF Advancement has defined the following critical competencies for organizational and position specific success:
- Relationship Mastery - Identifies, targets and strategically builds relationships with colleagues, prospects, donors and volunteers
- Establishes and maintains effective relationships; demonstrating genuine interest in the well-being and opinions of others and recognizing common ground with individuals from varying backgrounds
- Anticipates conversational direction with ability to swiftly adapt and diffuse high-tension situations
- Successfully identifies the proper timing, medium and consistency to engage stakeholders
- Exhibits a high level of emotional intelligence in all interactions
- Donor Focus - Ability to establish, cultivate and steward prospects/ donors to build and maintain lifelong partnerships and trust on behalf of the institution
- Consistently searches for ways to improve the donor experience centralizing all efforts and tasks around meeting their needs
- Matches donor/prospect passions with university priorities, involving the right people and resources at the right time
- Places prospect/ donor needs ahead of personal success
- Utilizes resources, remains flexible and creatively suggests individualized engagement activities
- Tenacity - Ability to demonstrate the discipline and resilience necessary to successfully achieve goals and strategies
- Identifies and seizes opportunities, setting “stretch” goals and exceeding them (always looking for the next rung on the ladder)
- Ability to re-direct prospects from distractions and non-productive requests (in control but not seemingly in control)
- Strong commitment to close gifts (every day is a domino)
- Does not give up in the face of obstacles (master of “No”)
- Credibility - Displays responsible, reliable and trustworthy actions
- Acts in an ethical and authentic manner to support the mission of the university, demonstrating a “can do” spirit, sense of ownership, urgency and commitment
- Stay current on functional and technical aspects of one’s job seeking opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills
- Promotes and establishes trust, respect and rapport utilizing diplomacy and tact
- Fulfills commitments made to donors, colleagues and university partners
- Entrepreneurial Spirit - Ability to generate creative solutions and take risks
- Understands current environment and possesses the ability to adapt to new opportunities and challenges
- Generates innovative ideas, solutions and opportunities to positively impact results (doesn’t order from the menu)
- Learns from success and failure with a drive to succeed (hates to lose)
- Accepts, embraces and leads change
- Engaging Communication - Ability to attentively listen and express oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communication
- Possesses the ability to engage and inspire
- Successfully reads verbal and non-verbal cues adapting communication style and strategy as needed
- Demonstrates active listening and understands the art of asking questions to skillfully obtain more complete information
- Commands attention when speaking and presenting to individuals or groups
- Strategic Thinking - Ability to develop strategies and plans that integrate into the organization’s mission, priorities and goals
- Ability to effectively synthesize information and data to evaluate and prioritize prospects/donors in a larger context (knows their prospects)
- Ability to document and illustrate a comprehensive engagement strategy with realistic timelines
- Collaboratively engages colleagues and academic partners and integrates their knowledge into strategy
- Ability to think big, and create bold and inspiring tactics
- Mission Driven - Fundamentally identifies with the core mission to create awareness, build relationships, generate support and recognize donors for the purpose of advancing the university
- Considers national trends and best practices of advancement within higher education
- Possesses a solid appreciation of UF history, culture and tradition
- Understands the power of philanthropy and how to engage donors toward achieving their goals
- Creates advocates for the university through the ability to “visualize dreams”, “ask”, and “close”
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