Job Purpose
Provide vision strategy and leadership for principal and transformational giving at Wayne State University. Personally manage a prospect portfolio to achieve ambitious fundraising goals annually. Develop, coordinate, and manage fundraising strategies and initiatives to secure principal $1 million and transformational $10 million gifts from the universitys highest potential prospective donors to fund university priorities, enhance the universitys philanthropic support, and meet aggressive fundraising goals. Coordinate the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of principal and transformational gift donors. This position reports to the Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs.
Essential Functions
Essential functions are the primary duties, major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.
• Personally manage a prospect portfolio to achieve ambitious annual fundraising and visit goals. Establish and implement prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies focusing on securing commitments of $1,000,000. Draft and negotiate highly complex gift and pledge documentation. (35%) • Establish and implement prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies for the universitys highest-level gift donors and prospects. Devise and oversee the creation of highly customized, robust solicitation materials for principal and transformational gift donors and prospects. Work closely with the university President, Vice President of Development, and other executive leadership to secure principal and transformational gifts to fund university priorities and meet aggressive fundraising goals. (25%) • Collaborate and support school- and college-based fundraising and academic colleagues on implementing strategies for principal and transformational gift donors and prospects, ensuring coordination across multiple departments. Lead and convene effective and productive principal gift strategy sessions on a scheduled cadence. (15%) • Supervise staff effectively, manage performance to meet individual and team initiatives, foster a collegial and highly productive work environment. Recruit, interview, hire, train, coach, evaluate, and discipline staff. Establish and communicate performance expectations in a manner that motivates and empowers staff to fulfill job duties. Encourage support and ensure employee participation in training and development programs. (10%) • Manage units annual budget. Develop expense projections, approve expenditures at the unit level, and monitor transactions for compliance with university policies and procedures. (10%) • Network with outside professional groups and organizations to keep abreast of current industry trends and best practices related to principal gift fundraising. Represent Development & Alumni Affairs at industry or community meetings at the request of leadership. Special projects and other duties as assigned. (5%)
WORK CONTEXT
This grid characterizes the position scope.
Job Reports to: Vice President AVP: Dean Leadership Accountability: Develops policy and strategic plans Supervisory Accountability: Supervises through management personnel Organizational Accountability: Manages department Financial Accountability: Approves expenditures Customer Accountability: Interfaces with officials and executives Freedom to Act: Sets broad policies and objectives
Wayne State University is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high quality education. Our deep rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities preparing students for success in a diverse, global society.