Description
Position Summary:
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks an Executive Director of Development for the UAB Advancement team. The Executive Director will be an experienced professional who will have the vision and ability to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising and alumni engagement strategies for the Schools of Dentistry, Health Professions, Nursing, Optometry, and Public Health. The Executive Director will organize, plan, and lead fundraising projects and initiatives through a team-based approach to securing major, principal and transformational gifts. The incumbent must possess a proven ability to present complex information in a clear and compelling manner and the capacity to clearly comprehend and communicate the University’s mission and ongoing initiatives.
The Executive Director of Development will be expected to work collaboratively with assigned schools to identify fundraising opportunities and develop compelling proposals for top donors. They will have extensive experience in higher education leading a large and complex team using a collaborative approach to leadership and an understanding of the integrated nature of development, and alumni relations within higher education.
The incumbent will be expected to meet/exceed established team metrics on an annual basis including dollars raised, visits, solicitations and proposals. The incumbent is expected to hire staff and oversee metrics for a team of advancement professionals and to lead their efforts in soliciting and closing a defined number of major gifts within a specified timeframe.
This position reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Development.
This position is full-time, hybrid eligible after the probationary period.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Develops and implements strategic development and alumni plans to support the research and/or education missions of the Schools of Dentistry, Health Professions, Nursing, Optometry, and Public Health.
2. Raises major and principal gifts from multiple donor groups such as corporate/foundations, alumni, community.
3. Identify exciting transformational gift opportunities and facilitate a collaborative approach to involve key leadership in strategy, planning and participating in securing principal gifts.
4. Provide visionary leadership and mentorship to a team of development directors and staff within the Schools of Dentistry, Health Professions, Nursing, Optometry, and Public Health including hiring and coaching/developing all team members.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, or a related field is required, along with a minimum of ten (10) years of higher education fundraising or equivalent experience, including at least seven (7) years of major gift experience. A Master’s degree is preferred. Work experience may NOT substitute for the required education.
Preferences:
CRM usage and management
Campaign Design/Business Plans
Financial modeling skills
Political Acumen/Social Awareness
Stakeholder management (internal and/or volunteer)
Human resources skills: interviewing, conflict resolution, identification of strengths/weaknesses, objective measurement, emotional intelligence
Extensive experience leading, managing, mentoring, and coaching development officers to high achievement through a positive team culture within a highly complex university setting
Experience securing major and principal gifts in a development leadership role in higher education
High emotional intelligence
Advanced Board Management
Advanced Portfolio Management (analytics, technology, etc.)
Advanced Project Management
Advanced knowledge of planned giving / endowments
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
