Director of Engagement, Thunderbird

The ASU Foundation (ASUF) fosters partnerships between ASU and
like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe
in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its
charter into meaningful impact.   

The Director of Engagement, Thunderbird will have oversight and
line management of Thunderbird’s Annual Giving program, ensuring
that regular and leadership donors with potential to support at a
higher level are identified and cultivated appropriately. 
This role will work extensively across the organization, developing
close relationships with the academic leadership of the unit, and
with specific responsibility for representing Thunderbird through
liaison with Sun Devil Giving, Gift Planning and Corporate
Philanthropy.

The principal function of this role is to manage a global
pipeline of major gift donors and prospects to realize significant
philanthropic contributions in support of Thunderbird’s strategic
goals.

This new role is one of two Directors of Engagement for
Thunderbird and is a key frontline major gift fundraising position
which serves as part of Thunderbird’s Engagement Leadership
team.

This individual must be an experienced development leader with a
proven track-record in working with donors in a large and complex
environment, preferably in higher education.  The director
reports to the Executive Director of Engagement.

What you’ll do:

• Build and manage a portfolio of major and leadership gift
  prospects and secure philanthropic investments in support of the
  school priorities, with a primary focus on securing gifts above the
  $100,000 level and a personal fundraising goal of at least $2M in
  accordance with performance metrics.
• Contribute to creation and leadership of coordinated program of
  fundraising and engagement activities designed to increase the
  number and level of annual, major and/or principal gift donors for
  Thunderbird.
• Develop a strategic program focused on the integration of
  annual giving, pipeline development, major and planned gifts as
  part of the comprehensive engagement strategy for Thunderbird.
   
• Design and execute strategies to involve campus leaders,
  alumni, friends, and volunteers to identify and cultivate new
  individual, corporate, institutional and/or foundation prospects on
  behalf of assigned area of responsibility
• Guided by the direction and scope of each prospect’s interest,
  proactively collaborate across the university enterprise to
  leverage the maximum philanthropic potential of each donor.
  Effectively build partnerships with ASU Foundation leadership and
  staff.
• Participate in strategic planning for academic programs as it
  relates to fundraising, working closely with the Dean and academic
  leaders to identify fundraising needs and opportunities.  Act
  as the lead contact for specific academic areas.
• Develop and submit written proposals, case statements, budgets
  and other collateral materials needed to secure philanthropic
  investments.
• Prepare the Dean and other senior colleagues with appropriate
  prospect and donor information as needed.
• Hire, supervise, mentor and evaluate assigned development
  staff
• Work within the ASU Foundation prospect management and tracking
  system, following all protocols for visits and solicitations.
• Participate as a member of the ASUF development management team
  and serve as a resource to development colleagues.
• Actively contribute to the department’s strategy, reporting and
  performance management. Serve as a member of the Thunderbird
  Engagement Management Team and support the Executive Director in
  driving the agenda for these and other key departmental meetings.
  Deputize for the ED as appropriate.
• Other development related duties as assigned

What you’ll need:

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact
  effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors,
  and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment
  with complex and evolving relationships and priorities.
• Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to
  work in a team-based environment
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically (US) and
  overseas.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and
  responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and
  University business and confidential prospect information
• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to
  communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of
  development/fundraising, preferably in higher education
• Able to secure personal appointments and qualify new
  prospects
• Demonstrated achievement in securing philanthropic
  investments
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while
  being flexible
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex
  situations involving numerous and sometimes competing
  constituencies
• Ability to represent the institution well
• An advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American
  University
• Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related
  materials
• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned
  duties
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable
  working in donor/prospect computer data base systems
• Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated,
  multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building
  and moves management approach leading to successful gift
  closure
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving
  priorities and communication plans
• Demonstrable experience in stewardship plans leading to
  additional investments

Relevant qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and five years’ successful professional
  development and/or fundraising related experience, preferably in
  higher education.
• Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated,
  multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building
  and moves management approach leading to successful gift
  closure
• Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from
  individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding
  sources
• 2+ years experience managing a team
• Previous experience working with international donors
• Experience working in annual giving or planned/ estate
  gifts

At ASU Enterprise Partners: 

We serve. 

We serve the faculty and staff of ASU to bring them resources so
they can do all the great things that they do. 

We innovate. 

We’re always looking for new ideas, new solutions, new
approaches and new ways to address the challenges facing
ASU. 

We engage. 

We engage our donors, philanthropists, investors and partners,
connecting them to ASU and helping them share their time, talent
and treasure. 

We care. 

When we serve, innovate and engage, it shows that we care —
about faculty, staff, donors, fellow employees and other partners
as we bring resources to ASU. 

ASU Enterprise Partners and its subsidiaries is an equal
opportunity employer that is firmly committed to promoting justice,
equity, diversity, and inclusion within our organization and
throughout our sphere of influence. Because we embrace a spirit of
innovation and achievement, we will endeavor to maximize the talent
and potential of all employees, directors, and volunteers through
bold and strategic action aimed at building success and a sense of
belonging. All employees are expected to act in good faith to
support these actions and to not impede the efforts of others to
build a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive
organization.