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Department:
Time Type:
Full time
Job Type:
FLSA Status:
ExemptWork Modality:
Union:
Job Description:
Summary:
Working in and reporting to University Advancement, the Assistant Dean of Advancement for the College of Arts and Sciences is the chief major gift fundraiser for the College of Arts and Sciences at American University, the largest of AU’s six schools. The Assistant Dean of Advancement works on behalf of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, shaping and executing plans for fundraising to meet the financial needs of the Dean’s academic priorities for the College. The Assistant Dean of Advancement works exclusively in the area of major gift fundraising for the College and participates in the Dean’s senior management team in order to understand fully and discuss implications of academic programs for development. The Assistant Dean of Development plans, implements, and oversees the major gift fundraising program for the College of Arts and Science with emphasis on gifts of $100,000 to $1,000,000+. The American University Art Museum, Center for Israel Studies, and Katzen Arts Center are each units of the College of Arts and Sciences with specific Development focus.
The Assistant Dean of Advancement serves as a key member of the Dean’s management team and as an ambassador of the College of Arts and Sciences. The Assistant Dean assists with the development of publications for the College of Arts and Sciences and other programs and special events by the Dean and Vice President of Advancement. The Assistant Dean supervises the activities of three additional fundraisers (two Directors and one Assistant Directors) and a Development Assistant who work in a collaborative, team atmosphere in support of donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, alumni programming, and special events. In coordination with the Dean, the Assistant Dean of Advancement and College of Arts and Sciences Advancement’s team recruit and staff members for the College of Arts and Sciences advisory and volunteer councils, including the Arts Council, Science Council, and Center for Israel Studies Council. The Assistant Dean and College Advancement team strive to maximum councils’ effectiveness, working closely with the Dean’s office to establish agendas and programs for meetings and communications.
As a specific component of the Assistant Dean of Advancement’s responsibilities, the Assistant Dean works with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to secure dates and plan for the Dean’s development work, including constituency events, travel for cultivation and solicitation, correspondence and regular contact with donors.
The Assistant Dean of Advancement operates under the University’s prospect development system with the expectations of achieving the following metrics through demonstration of a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and refined written and oral communication. Management and strategy development of a pool of approximately 150 assigned, rated, and staged prospects generally rated $100,000 - $1,000,000+, although some may be rated higher; meaningful contact or attempted contact of 100% of the assigned portfolio during any six month period; regular maintenance of prospect pipeline (i.e., planned and executed solicitations) to reflect a minimum of 15 major gift solicitations per year. Varying by stage of cultivation, consistent movement of prospects in assigned portfolio in proscribed timeframe. (As an example, it is expected that prospects will only be in qualification and early cultivation mode for 6 months, regular cultivation for 12 months, and pre-solicitation cultivation and consideration mode for 6 months). A minimum of 10 planned, strategic visits per month with many other interactions, meetings, events, and unplanned visits. Regular updates to contacts, staging, and ratings so that all reports are current for supervision meetings and monthly progress reports. Work in concert with University Advancement colleagues, including particularly close collaboration with the Leaderships Annual Giving Team, Planned Giving Team, and Office of Prospect Development, to conduct entrepreneurial prospect identification and qualification work equal to approximately 10 - 20% of all activity. (More if Assistant Dean meets expectations of progress with assigned portfolio).
The Assistant Dean of Development’s financial objectives will be established collaboratively and with close review of the capacity and readiness indicators of the Assistant Dean’s prospect portfolio. Based on a general assessment of that portfolio now, the appropriate candidate should be able to secure a minimum of $1,500,000 annually in new commitments within 24 months of hire.
As needed, the Assistant Dean updates and coordinates with the Senior Director of Development, Annual Giving to ensure that the messages and priorities are consistent for the mail and phone programs; coordinates with directors in other areas (Planned Giving, Leadership Annual Giving, Principal Gifts, other units) on mutual interest prospects and programs.
Essential Functions:
With the Dean and independently, aggressively work major gifts portfolio under the prospect development rules and guidelines, actively setting and executing strategies on assigned major gift prospects, meeting or exceeding established benchmarks for visits, contacts, and solicitations, and securing gifts that support the academic priorities of the Dean, other units, or the University as a whole.
Develop, execute, manage, fundraising strategies, priorities, schedules and tactics for the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, including but not limited to: (1) identifying and engaging prospects around the Dean’s academic priorities for the College; (2) planning travel and individual meetings; (3) managing regular communication with key prospects; (4) adding a development perspective to relevant matters that emerge in the School or on the Dean’s leadership team; and, (5) managing all aspects of the Dean’s Constituency Advocacy Councils, including developing strategy to cultivate and solicit council members for leadership giving at the College.
Manage, motivate, and evaluate the College of Arts and Sciences Development team: two Directors of Development, Assistant Director of Development, and Development Assistant. Develop major gift strategies and revenue expectations, donor stewardship initiatives, and special event plans to be implemented by appropriate staff members. Delegate and assign associated task, including creation and design of related publications.
Work with AU’s Annual Giving team to effectively manage annual giving techniques and messages utilized in AU’s direct marketing and phone programs, assuming responsibility for making sure the information about the College of Arts and Sciences used in these programs is accurate, up to date, and in line with the College’s current fundraising objectives. Work closely with the Director of Development, Annual Giving, on annual Dean’s letter or other equivalent solicitation pieces, ensuring that they occupy a reasonable and productive spot in AU’s direct marketing calendar.
Other duties as assigned in support of the objectives of the Vice President of Advancement.
Supervisory Responsibility:
Reporting to this position is the Director of Development, CAS, Assistant Director of Development, CAS, and Director of Development, SOE and CAS.
Competencies:
Building and Supporting Teams.
Driving Continuous Improvement.
Acting Strategically.
Leading and Inspiring People.
Collaborative Leadership.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Full-time.
35 hours per week.
Position also requires occasional evening and weekend work.
Salary Range:
$160,000.00 - $179,000.00 annually.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
8 or more years progressively responsible development experience required, with at least 4 years in demonstrated success in securing major gifts of $100,000+.
Supervisory experience.
Familiarity with and experience following guidelines of an established Prospect Management System.
Computer literacy with MS Office suite or equivalent and familiarity with fundraising systems.
Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Preferred Education and Experience:
Master's degree or equivalent.
8 - 10 years of relevant experience.
Travel Required:
This position requires regular local travel, and out of area travel approximately 25 - 40% of time.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
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Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.