Director of Volunteer Engagement and Philanthropy

Director of Volunteer Engagement and
Philanthropy

Req # 10000761

About the Department:

The Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations division is a
comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with a
staff complement of approximately 135 FTE. Functional units within
Advancement include development/fundraising, alumni relations,
stewardship and donor relations, advancement communications,
special events, gift processing, research, prospect management,
gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information
systems and management, and infrastructure services.

Advancement’s mission is to build strong, lifelong relationships
with George Mason University’s alumni and constituents, while
matching their philanthropic interests with the university
aspirations and priorities. The division is committed to serving
the needs of the university, our alumni, and the greater community
by providing access to quality education and lifelong learning.
Respect, service, integrity, collaboration, diversity,
transparency, and creativity are the values that guide our work and
culture.

About the Position:

This position supports the University in identifying and
implementing strategies for success in securing significant
philanthropic support from and engagement of the Board of Trustees,
Board of Visitors, and other high-level volunteer councils
including President’s Innovation Advisory Council (PIAC), National
Leadership Council (NLC) and other leadership volunteer groups to
be determined as the comprehensive campaign develops and publicly
launches. This position is responsible for cultivating meaningful
relationships with past, current, and potential BOT/BOV members
while increasing engagement and giving. The Director of Volunteer
Engagement and Philanthropy will manage a portfolio of Board
members and be responsible for facilitating all phases of the gift
cycle, stewarding, and engaging members. This position works
collaboratively with key volunteers, school leadership and faculty,
Advancement staff, and other school representatives to cultivate,
solicit, engage, and steward the Board members.

This position is expected to travel independently and to work a
flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities:

Maintains Personal Portfolio and Support Comprehensive
Fundraising Campaign:

• Carries a portfolio comprised of current, former, and
  prospective Board of Visitors and Board of Trustees members, as
  well as a selection of individuals from other high-level volunteer
  councils;
• Actively engages each prospect in their portfolio to ensure
  prospect movement and portfolio penetration annually;
• Is accountable for meeting or exceeding established fundraising
  goals and metrics, as determined and set by Central
  Advancement;
• Solicits and secures 6 and 7-figure major gifts from the
  assigned portfolio;
• Supports successful execution of a comprehensive fundraising
  program that appropriately partners with and leverages resources
  from the central advancement team to accomplish objectives;
• Works closely with the University President’s Office,
  cultivates, engages, and stewards as appropriate members of the
  University’s Board of Visitors;
• Under the direction of the GMUF President, cultivates, engages,
  and stewards Board of Trustees members;
• Implements strategies for communicating fundraising goals and
  objectives to Board members;
• Prepares agendas and meeting materials, the orientation of
  highly qualified new Board of Trustee members, provides oversight
  of committee membership and ensures that Board members are engaged
  in and knowledgeable about GMU;
• Initiates and builds ongoing relationships with current and
  prospective Board Members to ensure engagement from members;
• Develops and executes leadership engagement plans for each
  Board member assigned to this portfolio;
• Serves as the point of contact for all Board member inquiries
  and facilitate engagement with appropriate university
  leadership;
• Develops, manages, and implements a high-level strategy for the
  National Leadership Council;
• Solicits assigned donor portfolio through face-to-face visits,
  including preparation of personalized materials;
• Proactively identifies, develops, and delivers engagement
  opportunities to Board members to ensure the maximization of their
  financial and non-financial support;
• Researches, develops, and writes funding proposals, appeal
  letters, and reports as required;
• Works with prospects to educate them on university priorities
  and soliciting and closing outright and planned gifts;
• Effectively manages prospects through personal visits,
  correspondence, and electronic and telephone communication;
• Is accountable for cultivating relationships of individual and
  organizational fundraising with a focus on retention, recapture,
  and growth;
• Travels as necessary for donor outreach and cultivation;
• Works closely with Central Advancement services including, but
  not limited to, Planned Giving, Annual Giving, Parents and Family
  Philanthropy, University Priorities, Alumni Relations,
  Communications, Systems, Operations, Donor Relations, Gifts and
  Records, etc.; and
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned, which
  are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job
  classification.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field and demonstrated successful
  professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience or
  any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from
  which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been
  achieved;
• A demonstrated record of successful major gift solicitations
  and experience designing and executing donor identification,
  cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies;
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and
  meeting continuous deadlines.
• Excellent research, writing and interpersonal communication
  skills;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and experience with
  documenting appropriate information in a donor management database
  system; and
• A creative approach to involve and solicit major donor
  prospects and possess the ability to motivate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience in major gifts fundraising, preferably
  in higher education (generally seven or more years);
• Familiarity with CRM fundraising software;
• Demonstrate sound judgment necessary for interacting with
  donors, prospects, trustees, faculty and staff;
• Possess understanding and the ability to articulate, the
  accomplishments and goals of a complex organization; and
• Experience with the management, engagement, and development of
  philanthropic strategies for Board members or other high-level
  volunteers.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for
Director of Volunteer Engagement and Philanthropy
at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and
submit the online application to include three professional
references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and
resume.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its
community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or
veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.