Director of Advancement

The Director of Advancement, East Coast is a senior professional who works collaboratively within the Arizona State University Foundation (ASUF) and partners across Arizona State University (ASU) to demonstrate leadership among colleagues and secure significant philanthropic investments. The principal activity of this role is externally focused, and effectiveness will be evaluated on the ability to achieve financial goals and weighted engagement metrics. The Director works in coordination with the Senior Director of East Coast Advancement, Global Advancement team, and in partnership with the advancement departments of ASU’s various schools and units to build ASUF’s overall presence on the East Coast Region in support of ASU’s Charter. 

What you’ll do

• This role requires approximately 30-40%  travel throughout the East Coast region, structured as a combination of day trips, short regional visits, and periodic multi-day travel for major donor meetings and university events. Candidates must be located on the East Coast with a strong preference for the Mid-Atlantic region and proximity to a major airport hub to maximize cost-effective travel. Strategic trip planning and the ability to build relationships through both in-person and virtual engagement are essential.

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 50+ major gift donors, with an emphasis on securing gifts and commitments of $100K and above

• Develop and execute customized strategies that leverage donor prospects’ interests, connect them to giving opportunities, and result 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

• High level of collaboration with both internal departments and broader University partners to identify common goals and develop, execute, and advance prospect and donor strategies and increase participation among high profile volunteers and donors (i.e., alumni engagement, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, development, donor relations, estate and gift planning, financial services, research, and prospect management)

• Ensures the proper stewardship and recognition of donors in the portfolio

• Manages projects with moderate oversight; depending on area(s) of responsibility, may serve as a project

• Track development activity according to prospect management guidelines for tracking and maintenance of contact and progress reporting

• Within area(s) of responsibility, maintains up-to-date knowledge on key alumni and high-level donors, and/or oversees continuous research, development, and up-to-date knowledge on prospects and works with other areas to coordinate contacts

• Participates as a member of the ASUF development team and serves as a resource to development colleagues

• Furnish timely reports on progress toward assigned goals and solicitation results

• Work in a result-oriented, dynamic environment with complex and evolving relationships and priorities

• Other duties as assigned

What you'll need

• Demonstrated success in raising donor sights, articulating aspirational goals and ideas, setting priorities, presenting philanthropic opportunities, and closing six and seven-figure gifts

• Demonstrated skills in advancing large-scale ideas within an institute, college or research laboratory

• Proven competence to design and implement effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies

• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others

• Highly flexible nature, sophisticated and professional demeanor, and the ability to think quickly and react effectively to unanticipated circumstances, opportunities, and complex situations

• Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment

• Creative, professional, and entrepreneurial spirit; strong intellectual curiosity

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information

• 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 develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds

• Able to secure personal appointments and qualify new prospects

• Complex problem-solving skills coupled with the ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives

• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies and interests

• Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer database systems

• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans

• High degree of self-motivation, personal discipline, and integrity

Relevant qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree

• At least five to seven years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience, preferably in higher education

• Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources

Preferred Education and Experience

• Advanced degree

• Seven-plus (7) years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience in higher education

• Experience working in Salesforce and Workday