Regional Advancement Senior Director

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

300 East River Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14623

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

100006 Ofc Sr Vice Pres Advancement

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 114

Compensation Range:

$86,482.00 - $129,723.00

Responsibilities:

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Regional Advancement Senior Director is a key leadership role responsible for driving success in a high-priority territory during the University’s transformative capital campaign. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President and/or Executive Director of Regional Advancement, the Senior Director will manage a standard portfolio of approximately 125 prospects plus 30–40 additional high-value Major Gift prospects to achieve ambitious campaign goals and exceed performance metrics.

This position may oversee multiple campaign committees, ensuring members are engaged and aligned with campaign objectives. Additionally, the Senior Director may provide supervision, training, and mentorship to an Associate Director of Regional Advancement and/or ensure that newly hired team members are onboarded in the most efficient manner.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of securing major gifts, strong leadership and mentorship skills, and the ability to develop impactful fundraising initiatives. With enhanced performance expectations, this role offers an opportunity to significantly advance the University’s mission during a transformative period.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Fundraising

• Maintain a portfolio of 125 plus an additional 30-40 Larger Major Gift Prospects
• Maintain major gift pipeline to ensure aggressive team assigned metrics are exceeded
• Hiring, train and ensure new team member exceeds all assigned metrics
• Expect higher metrics annually

Fundraising strategy

• Create strategies for and solicit donors capable of contributing large major gifts to the University, including gifts supporting the capital campaign.  
• Responsible for planning, managing, executing, and stewardship strategy for each prospect.

Prospect Management

• Travel within designated regions to initiate and/or strengthen relationships with major gift prospects.
• Travel will include working with key volunteers, faculty, university leadership, parents and alumni.
• Collaboration with Advancement colleagues to research and identify new major gift prospects annually.
• Managing relationships with prospects that include University Deans, Department Chairs, and Faculty.

Programmatic Work

• May oversee and manage multiple Regional Campaign Committee activities, as a result working in especially close collaboration with numerous internal and external partners.
• This may include academic, engagement, and principal gifts to name a few.
• Respond to inquiries and requests from donors and volunteers involving status and disposition of gifts. 
• Collaborate closely with University stewardship and donor relations offices in assuring appropriate follow up to gifts, executing follow up actions as appropriate:  letters and phone communication, problems solving, information gathering from other departments involved with gifts, etc.
• Become an expert within major gift fundraising. Specifically in estate giving, and alternative gifting vehicles.
• May Create and manage campaign committee materials, manage multiple meetings, and cultivate each member in preparation to support the campaign.

Strategic Planning

• Works closely with internal and external partners to secure the resources necessary to achieve a vision outlined by university leadership.
• Collaborates with Senior Leaders, Deans, Department Chairs, Volunteers, and key faculty to effectively manage and create prospect strategies to promote development efforts that focus on school priorities.
• Responsible for creating and maintaining a sophisticated strategy for multiple campaign committees.
• This includes volunteer management and activities regarding volunteer recruitment, meeting topics, and additional event planning.
• Special campaign committee advisor to the Assistant Vice President regional advancement ensuring the overall success of the program

Leadership Project Work-Regional Team Estate Planning Expert And Mentor Specialist-

• Oversight and Training: Ensure all members of the Regional Team are proficient and up to date on all estate planning information, tools, and best practices
• Strategic Estate planning Management: Lead the planning and execution of internal estate planning initiatives, including the strategic advice and campaign gift tracking of large Regional Team prospects.
• Cross-Regional Collaboration: Provide on-site support and mentorship to new Major Gift Officers (MGOs) outside your assigned region, fostering consistency and alignment across teams.
• Proactive New Hire Integration: Develop and execute a structured plan for regular check-ins with each new hire, ensuring a smooth onboarding process and early success.
• Mentorship and Development Leadership: Act as a mentor to all new MGOs, facilitating weekly check-ins, maintaining an open-door policy, and sharing proven success strategies to build their confidence and capabilities.

Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• 7 years of development experience at a university or college. Required
• Supervisor experience preferably, of exempt staff,
• Or an equivalent combination or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong interpersonal skills and evidence of interest in, and ability to, work effectively with volunteers and solicit annual gifts. Required
• Strong capacity for collaboration. Required
• Intelligence and evidence of ability to work well with faculty.    Required
• Ability to manage complex projects and to effectively manage detail. Required
• Solid skills in written and oral communication. Required
• Positive attitude, optimism, independence and creativity are essential. Required
• Familiarity with office productivity computer programs and an interest and aptitude in learning more about management information systems.  Required

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.