Associate Director of Development

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• Upload Resume or Curriculum Vitae for automatic population of information to the application.
• The contact information, work experience, and education listed on your Resume/CV will be parsed and input into your Montclair application.
• Review information and double-check all fields containing information that the system parsed – the software is intelligent, but you need to verify that the data is accurate.
• In the “My Experience” section, you will find a Resume/CV upload option where you can submit your cover letter and all other supporting documents.

Note: If you have an expansive CV, we recommend that you apply manually and only include the positions you have held in the last ten (10) years. You will then be able to attach your Resume/CV, as well as all other supporting documentation in the "My Experience" section of your application.

Job Description

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Major & Planned Giving, the Associate Director of Development is responsible for qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects to secure major gift support of $50,000+ from individual donors. The Associate Director identifies, engages, and solicits donors at all life stages, including conducting prospect research, developing effective solicitation strategies, and stewarding donors throughout the major giving process. The Associate Director may require frequent business travel and meetings on and off campus during regular and non-traditional business hours and is expected to operate with high levels of autonomy and collaboration.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Structure, lead, manage, and oversee a major gift program.

• Manage a fluid portfolio of major gift prospects rated at $50,000+ through an active moves management process of qualification visits, cultivation, solicitations, and stewardship.

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects to secure major gift support of $50,000+ from individual donors.

• First year focus on identification and qualification activities.

• Present a persuasive case to prospects for support of key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of the prospect to specific needs for the university and/or an assigned college, school, or unit.

• Collaborate with fundraising colleagues, faculty, academic leaders, administrators, and lead volunteers to increase and grow major gift support by deepening meaningful relationships with major gift prospects.

• Coordinate the necessary information needed from the appropriate Dean, Director, and/or senior administrator to create and implement a major gifts program for the University, college, or unit. Partner with the Associate Vice President for Development Strategy & Operations and with other Development areas, such as Annual Giving, Donor Relations, and Alumni Engagement, to coordinate contacts.

• Record and track all prospect and donor plan activities using the university's prospect management system.

• Work closely with the Development team to achieve the University’s Development goals and objectives.

• Conduct prospect research.

• Develop effective solicitation strategies.

• Serve a key role in conveying a clear sense of focus, competency, and credibility to those who invest in and support the University’s mission, students, programs, and other activities.

• Steward donors throughout the major giving process.

• Business travel and meetings on and off campus during regular and non-traditional business hours, and is expected to operate with high levels of autonomy and collaboration.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.

• A minimum of four years of experience in the areas of major gift fundraising, campaign fundraising, and prospect management. 

• Demonstrated track record of soliciting, documenting, closing, and stewarding major gifts of $50,000+.

• Demonstrated success in one-on-one communications and sustained relationship building with donors, prospects, administrators, faculty, staff, and colleagues.

• Ability to creatively manage development activities and identify fundraising opportunities in an entrepreneurial, innovative, forward-thinking, and performance-driven manner.

• Demonstrated understanding of donor-centric, customer service-oriented, collaborative fundraising.

• Extensive working knowledge of identified “best practices” and leading-edge principles in the areas of development, fundraising, moves management, planned giving, donor stewardship, and proposal preparation.

• Proven ability in leading, managing, and organizing multiple projects with energy, clarity, optimism, collaboration, diplomacy, and integrity.

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree from an accredited university or college.

• Higher education fundraising experience.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook) or Raiser’s Edge

• Intellectual curiosity, personal accountability, emotional intelligence, collaborative mindset, and openness to new ideas and constructive feedback.

• Performance-oriented, self-starter with proven ability to build relationships and communicate effectively.

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

Applicants should include a resume and cover letter describing how their background, skills and education match the needs of the University. When applying, please take a moment to carefully read and follow the steps in the application instructions. 

Salary Range

$85,550.86-$106,947.56 Annually

The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/benefits/   

Montclair State University considers factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s relevant work experience, education, skills, and internal equity, when extending an offer.

Salary offers for internal employees who are part of a collective bargaining unit (CBU) and are applying to a position that is within a CBU will be determined in accordance with contractual provisions. 

Department

Major Gifts and Development Leadership

Position Type

Professional - Non-Faculty

Contact Information:

For questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources' Workday Recruiting Support at 973-655-5000 (Option 2), or email [email protected].

Inclusion Statement

Montclair State University values access and educational excellence. We are committed to an environment of diverse perspectives which ensures that graduates will be civically engaged, committed to democracy, and prepared to thrive as global citizens. We foster a community that promotes varied experiences and voices. We seek applicants who will contribute diverse ideas and perspectives and who value an environment that promotes educational growth and advancement for all.

EEO/AA Statement

Montclair State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution with a strong commitment to diversity.

Additional information can be found on the website at
www.montclair.edu/human-resources/about-us/eo-aa-and-diversity/

Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 Policy

Montclair State is required by Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities.  The requirement to not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities extends to admission and employment. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/job-seekers/