Director of Development, Global Futures Laboratory

The ASU Foundation has retained Lindauer, an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled.

Candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter. Communications, nominations, applications, and inquiries concerning this search should be directed to Raegan Harvey, Consultant, rharvey@LindauerGlobal.com.

The Director of Development for the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory (GFL) is a senior development professional who works collaboratively with the ASU Foundation for A New American University (ASUF) to demonstrate leadership among colleagues and secure significant philanthropic investments. The principal activity of development directors is externally focused, and effectiveness will be evaluated on the ability to achieve annual financial goals and weighted contact metrics. The Director of Development reports to GFL’s Executive Director of Development.

Since 2004, ASU has become a global leader in sustainability efforts—creating the Global Institute of Sustainability, launching the first School of Sustainability in the U.S., deploying the largest solar energy portfolio of any university in the U.S. and more.

The emergence of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University is the next step in our continual evolution. It represents the urgent belief that we can and must make a meaningful contribution to ensuring a habitable planet and a future in which well-being is attainable.

Using the model of the multi-focused National Laboratories, the Global Futures Laboratory is creating a platform for an ongoing and wide-ranging exchange across all knowledge domains to address the complex social, economic and scientific challenges spawned by the current and future threats from environmental degradation. This platform positions a new world headquarters for an international network of scientists, scholars and innovators, it lays the foundation to respond to existing and emerging challenges and it uses innovation to purposefully shape and inform our future.

The Global Futures Laboratory provides key engagement spaces for scientists, educators and leaders across ASU and around the world to address critical issues related to the future of planet Earth. Rather than solving problems after they arise, we seek to design a future in which humanity not only survives, but thrives.

What you'll do:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward portfolio of 50+ major gift donors, with an emphasis on securing gifts and commitments $100K and above
• Develop and execute customized strategies that leverage donor prospect’s interests, connects them to giving opportunities and results in invitations to philanthropically support key initiatives
• Demonstrate strong writing skills and prepare and guide the design of engagement, solicitation and stewardship materials for individual, corporate and foundation prospects
• Participate in strategic development planning for programs, working closely with faculty leaders to identify needs and giving opportunities
• Serve as a development thought partner to academic leadership and faculty, and ensure adequate preparation and continued involvement of academic partners throughout the donor engagement process, as appropriate
• Track development activity in Foundation’s prospect management and tracking system, following all protocols for visits and solicitations
• Guided by the direction and scope of each prospect’s interest, pro-actively collaborate across the university to leverage the maximum philanthropic potential of each donor
• Work closely with ASUF colleagues to ensure GFL’s fundraising priorities are integrated into broader enterprise initiatives
• Provide oversight on GFL’s grant activity
• Furnish timely reports on progress toward assigned goals and solicitation results
• Work in a results-oriented, dynamic environment with complex and evolving relationships and priorities
• Other duties as assigned

What you'll need:

• Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally
• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, in 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 to seven years successful professional development and/or fundraising related experience, preferably in higher education: OR, any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved.

The ASU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Learn More: