Job Description Summary

Organization's Summary Statement:

The Director, Donor Experience & Leadership Giving plays a pivotal role in the Broad-Based Campaigns & Strategic Engagement (BCSE) department, which works to identify and qualify the next generation of major gift donors by cultivating an engaged pipeline at all levels for the University of Maryland. This department, within Central Development in University Relations, is made up of three teams that inform, develop, and conduct these efforts, and who all rely on a donor-centric, analytical and data-forward approach. The BCSE leadership team includes the Executive Director of Development and team leads overseeing centralized annual giving, Donor Experience (DXO), and Leadership Giving (LEAD).

The Director manages two teams of development officers with complementary approaches: Donor Experience Officers (DXOs) who engage prospects through structured, cadence-based outreach, and Leadership Giving Officers (LGOs) who focus on dedicated discovery outreach to qualify potential major gift donors. These officers work to identify, engage, and solicit the next generation of major gift donors in support of the university and are responsible for the strategic engagement and solicitation of gifts up to $50,000 from alumni, friends, and parent prospects with the capacity for future major gift support.

The Director provides strategic oversight and day-to-day administration for both the DXO and LEAD teams. This role involves managing five front-line fundraisers and carrying a select portfolio of prospects. As a leader within the University of Maryland's advancement team, the Director champions a culture of philanthropic excellence. They are responsible for achieving annual individual and team goals and possess the ability to review and analyze data to not only inform strategic decisions and execution but also to provide targeted and effective coaching to team members.

The Director is responsible for recruiting, coaching, managing performance, and the professional development of the team. They should exhibit fundraising excellence, demonstrate best practices, and embrace emerging tools. They will bring a collaborative, curious, and good-humored approach to fostering a positive and productive team environment.

Physical Demands:
Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard equipment and keyboards. The ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, and travel up to 20% of the time may be required. The individual must also be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Preferences:
-Possess successful experience as a front-line fundraiser, primarily closing gifts between ($1,000 - $50,000) from prospects in a university setting.
-Experience leading and developing a team’s skills through effective feedback and coaching, motivating and empowering colleagues while being institutionally minded, strategic, and impactful.
-Experience in training and onboarding new frontline fundraising staff.
-Experience working with various technologies, including advanced knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office and/or Google Business Suites, database software, and/or CRM systems.
-Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail, the ability to work with ambiguity, navigate a complex work environment, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
-The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to achieve goals with a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
-Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as effective presentation skills.
-Flexibility to accommodate changing priorities and deadlines.
-Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in independent decision making.
-Organized and detail-oriented with strong follow-up skills.
-Possess a high level of professionalism and commitment to confidentiality with sound judgment and discretion.
-Collaborative, curious, and good-humored.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

*All applications should include a resume and cover letter.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Eight (8) years of professional donor pipeline building or fundraising experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES: 

Knowledge of conducting marketing programs through direct mail and the web.

Knowledge of social media.
Knowledge of technologies, trends, and data analytics for target marketing, reporting, and results analysis.
Knowledge of database management, gift processing, and donor relations.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products.
Skill in the areas staff management, development, and team building.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Additional Job Details

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

Yes

Department

VPUR-Central Development

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$133,760-$150,000

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

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