Associate Director of Development

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:
The Associate Director of Development – Parent and Family Philanthropy is an integral member of the Parent and Family Philanthropy team in the Development and Alumni Relations division at Rice University. Working closely with the Senior Director, Parent and Family Philanthropy, the Associate Director of Development will play a key role in the execution and assessment of programming and events that drive parent philanthropy, including, but not limited to, a Parents Council. The Associate Director of Development will also assist with drafting briefing packets and other internal collateral, as well as external communications. They will work closely with the annual giving and stewardship teams to ensure execution of the parent strategy. The Associate Director of Development will also be responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of donors in Greater Houston with the capacity to make annual gifts in the range of $10,000–$100,000. The Associate Director of Development is a fundraising generalist, soliciting and stewarding gifts benefiting any/all of Rice’s schools and programs. To that end, they will work with internal partners in Development and Alumni Relations, including directors of development based in schools, unit development professionals, colleagues on the communications, events, stewardship, research, development services, alumni engagement, and annual giving teams, as well as staff and faculty partners on campus. The successful Associate Director of Development will be a proactive and collaborative member of this dynamic team as Rice builds on its success.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial and focused fundraiser and program manager who is successful in engaging high-capacity prospects in ways that lead to closing significant gifts.

Workplace Requirements:
This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Must possess (or have the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and/or at-fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Three years of successful program management or equivalent experience and three years of professional fundraising experience with a demonstrated track record of soliciting, closing, and stewarding gifts of $10,000+

Skills:

• Experience developing and assessing donor programming
• Event experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong data analysis skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned

Preferences:

• Five years of the experience specified above and fundraising experience with an institution of higher education or nonprofit organization
• Experience working on a capital campaign
• Strong familiarity with fundraising database software to ensure accurate documentation of development activity
• Appreciation for and/or connection to Rice University, its mission, history, and unique focus on undergraduate liberal arts education and research
• Curious nature and interest in lifelong learning
• Desire and ability to innovate and implement dynamic change, exceed goals, and build consensus among colleagues
• Strong familiarity with fundraising CRMs and other databases to ensure accurate documentation of development activity

Essential Functions:

• Maintains a portfolio of gift prospects through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors with an emphasis on leadership gifts and future $100,000+ gifts
• Identifies fundraising priorities and devises plans and strategies to accomplish goals
• Works collaboratively with development colleagues in support of fundraising initiatives
• Collaborates on development-related communications and events
• Supports the development, execution, and ongoing assessment of departmental engagement strategies
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Regional travel is required for this position up to 30% of the time
• Occasional weekend and evening work hours are required
• Requires contact with all areas of the university in person, in meetings, in writing, and by telephone
• Requires personal contact outside the university with a wide range of donors

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact Rice University’s Disability Resource Center at 713-348-5841 or [email protected] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.