The Catholic University of America

The Assistant Dean for Advancement within Catholic University’s School of Arts and Sciences serves as the chief advancement officer for the School, responsible for all activities related to identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of annual, major and planned gifts from alumni, friends, and institutions.  The position collaborates closely with the central University Advancement team, which provides resources and strategic counsel, and uniform metrics to help drive results within the schools and across the University. The Assistant Dean also leads the collaborative effort in building alumni engagement and communicating the School’s mission, vision, and achievements to key donor, alumni, and additional external constituencies.  The position reports dually to the Associate Vice President for University Advancement and the Dean of the School.  The Assistant Dean provides counsel to the Dean of the School and faculty on advancement matters, sets the philanthropic strategy annually, and helps to organize and set the School’s philanthropic priorities in order to maximize external support.

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $110,000 - $140,000.

• Advancement Program Management: Lead the advancement effort for the school by working with the Associate Vice President to develop, implement and evaluate the annual advancement plan. Serve as primary point of contact on all matters pertaining to fundraising in support of the School of Arts & Sciences.
• Individual Goals: Focus on securing major and principal sources of support to meet funding priorities set by the Dean and in response to supporting key initiatives or strengths of the academic program within the school. Manage a portfolio of relationships with major and principal gift suspects, prospects, and donors.
  The Assistant Dean will be expected to build, grow and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, based on new and past donors, at the $100k+ level, in addition to the metrics below.
  The Assistant Dean will be expected to conduct at least 100 prospect visits annually, soliciting and closing 15-25 major gifts and engage the same number of new major gift prospects each year.
  The Assistant Dean is expected to build upon a program that currently generates 7-figure revenue annually, with a personal fundraising goal of $2.0M+ per year. Annual gift revenue goals may vary year to year.
• Annual Giving & other Collaborative Efforts: The Assistant Dean will manage annual fund giving and solicitation efforts by working with the Annual Giving team and the Arts & Sciences Advancement team to develop direct mail solicitations for the school’s alumni and friends. The Assistant Dean will collaborate with central Advancement office colleagues in areas including planned giving, stewardship and donor relations, institutional partnerships, and constituent engagement to support the advancement program within the School of Arts & Sciences.
• Management of Volunteer Leadership: The Assistant Dean will build volunteer leadership through engagement with the School’s Board of Visitors and other alumni or external constituencies key to the school’s fundraising success. The Assistant Dean will recruit new members to grow the board and the pool of flexible revenue the dean can use to pursue opportunities and create new programs. Provide guidance for and management of programmatic content and stewardship activities for these constituents.
• Administrative Leadership and Oversight: The Assistant Dean will hire, train, supervise, and evaluate the University Advancement professionals assigned to support the School of Arts & Sciences. The current staff size is 3 FTE.
• Faculty Engagement: Work with the Dean and the Advancement staff to cultivate strong working relationships with faculty of the school who are overseeing priority academic and research areas. Guide academic partners through the major gift prospect development process. Manage the development of proposals, solicitation letters and other development materials for faculty use with School of Arts & Sciences prospects and donors. Continuously educate and steward the faculty to encourage their participation in philanthropic work.
• School-Based Event Management: Direct the school efforts in developing, marketing, and executing Arts & Sciences events and initiatives aimed at cultivating donors, engaging alumni, and enhancing the visibility and reputation of the school.
• Gift Revenue and Department Budget Management: Work with the School of Arts & Sciences finance staff and the University Advancement budget and gift acceptance staff to align gift accounts and develop and manage operational budget.
• Support the Division of University Advancement in achieving its strategic and fundraising goals, through positive and productive interaction and collaboration with all departmental staff, University liaisons, and external constituents.

• Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible development/advancement experience within a large, highly complex non-profit business environment.
• Higher Education Experience is strongly preferred.
• Master's degree is preferred.
• Should have a demonstrated track record of developing and soliciting 7 and 8 figure gifts.
• Experience managing volunteer leadership groups for philanthropic purposes (board management).
• Candidate should have experience with capital campaigns, especially soliciting and closing lead gifts, developing solicitation materials, case statements, etc. Must have at least 3 years staff management experience.
• The Assistant Dean will be a highly energetic professional with a track record of building relationships and closing gifts above $50,000.
• The successful candidate will possess the ability to work in an environment that puts a strong emphasis on metrics and success as well as the capability to work independently and as part of a team.
• He/she will have a demonstrated ability to take initiative and be a self-starter; manage projects; determine priorities and maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral skills and demonstrated effective writing skills will be required as will strong organizational and analytical skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Candidates must have the ability and willingness to travel; and to work occasional evenings and weekend hours.

• Must be polished, passionate and have exceptional interpersonal skills.

• Must possess the ability to lead and obtain results from professional colleagues and exceptional ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

• Must have effective planning and organization skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google suite of applications.

• Familiarity with generally accepted office procedures, and ability to utilize the internet for research-related duties.

• Skills in planned giving and/or wealth management desirable.

• Skill in using development-related database systems, preferably Raiser's Edge.

   

• The ability to drive a vehicle (campus or non-campus) on behalf of university business.