Director of Major Gifts

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Vice President
of Development and Alumni Affairs, the Director of Development will
manage the major gift programs with giving beginning at the $25,000
level. These programs include Cooper Fund Leadership Circle,
including Patrons, Partners and President’s Circle groups. As a key
member of the Development team, this position will execute
year-round prospecting, cultivation and stewardship efforts and
ensure financial goals are achieved. In partnership with the alumni
affairs staff and in close coordination with the VP of Development
and Alumni Affairs, the Director will work to identify and
cultivate a pipeline of current donors and new prospects to
introduce to CU.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify, cultivate and
solicit current donors and prospects as they relate to the
fundraising priorities for the schools of Architecture, Art and
Engineering, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social
Sciences.
• Responsible for managing donor programs starting at the $25,000
level including all communications, stewardship, and
engagement.
• Maintain a portfolio of 75-150 current and prospective
donors.
• Manage three full time staff members including, the Assistant
Director of Individual Giving, Prospect Research Specialist and
Development Associate
• In coordination with the Director of Special Events and the
Development Team, execute donor recognition and cultivation
events.
• Manage the Planned Giving donor pipeline group – The Society of
1859 providing stewardship for planned giving prospects, as needed,
in close partnership with VP.
• Work with other development support staff managed by the Deputy
Director of Alumni Affairs and Development for needed resources to
prospect and steward these individuals.
• With team, track and maintain giving projections to ensure
financial goals are met.

• Manage donor relationship
plans, including those for VP and President, to ensure proper
stewardship.
• Monitor all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful
prospect and donor relations.
• Travel as needed and approved by the Vice President for meetings
and events with alumni and other prospects.
• Coach staff and participate in aspects of the gift cycle to
ensure high standards are met at all levels.
• Work collaboratively with all development staff, events and
alumni affairs professionals and all other colleagues on
campus.
• Offer counsel, insight and research to the president, vice
president, and development staff on prospects and current
donors.
• Ensure appropriate donor acknowledgment, stewardship and
recognition.
• Develop effective major gift solicitation strategies, working
closely with the Vice President of Alumni Affairs and Development
and key constituencies within the college, and write compelling
proposals.
• Participate in development events to encourage long-term
relationships with prospects.

SKILLS/REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of ten years of
successful experience in major gift fundraising preferably in
higher education
• Passion for the arts and sciences
• Ability to communicate effectively to internal and external
audiences through exceptional personal presentation and persuasive
writing
• Desire to work in a collaborative environment stressing mutual
support for common objectives
• Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and
major gift donors to develop relationships between them and
Cooper
• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to
promoting Cooper’s fundraising priorities
• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage
multi-functional or diverse areas
• Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing
cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of
completing assignments

• Willingness to travel

EDUCATION:

Bachelors Degree

Annual Salary – $148,000

This is a non-union
position.

The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is
an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Email materials
to: hr@cooper.edu