Advertised Job Summary
Under limited supervision, reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Services (AVP), the Executive Director for Prospect Development (Executive Director) is responsible for leading and managing a comprehensive program that works closely with Advancement Services, Development leadership, and other university-wide stakeholders to plan, develop, and implement prospect strategies that maximize philanthropic engagement and organizational performance. The Executive Director ensures that the prospect pipeline sustains the university’s philanthropic goals. Responsibilities include the management of professional development staff in planning, implementing, coordinating, and administering the prospect development program with an emphasis on partnering with central development programs to include significant support to our colleges and schools. Oversee and monitor the activities of the top donors and prospects to the University President and Vice President for Development. The Executive Director leverages key relationships to explore, develop, and implement industry best practice standards to identify and move prospects into relationship management strategies, as well as evaluate the progress of UofSC’s fundraising strategies. Works closely with AVPs to ensures coordination and compliance of all prospect development policies and procedures, fostering a positive environment of collaboration among colleagues. The Executive Director serves as an active member of the Advancement Services Management team and develops strong partnerships while expanding the organizational understanding of how data can be synthesized powerfully to inform fundraising strategy.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of experience, including some prior management experience. Ability to travel overnight to conferences, work evenings and weekends, as needed. May require in-state travel to regional campuses. Must have a reliable means of transportation.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in business related field and 8 years of work experience in prospect management and/or research. At least three years of process improvement in which primary role was leading and directing complex, cross-functional efforts, preferably in higher education or non-profit setting. Demonstrated expertise with CASE guidelines and knowledge of federal, state, and IRS laws and regulations. Experience with process mapping tools (e.g., Visio).
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse professional environment or commitment to do so. Ability to solve problems while effectively collaborating with stakeholders throughout a complex, matrix organization. Ability to provide strategic guidance to leadership and campus partners on all aspects of prospect and donor management and pipeline development. Expert understanding of protocols and industry best practices for prospect development with a good understanding of business analytics. Commitment to research guidelines, methodologies and code of ethics statements as defined by the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (Apra), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and other related associations. Skilled with analysis techniques and tools used to modify, retrieve, manipulate, and report on data from relational database management systems. Expert leader with a track record of successful coaching and succession planning. Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills; superior judgment, negotiating skills and diplomacy. Capable of managing multiple priorities while working strategically, collaboratively, and inventively. Demonstrated success as a public speaker and proven ability to present effectively on behalf of the Prospect Development Team and, more generally, the Development Division at internal and external forums. Demonstrated ability to collaborate successfully with Division of Development leadership. Use discretion and maintain all confidentiality. Demonstrate the ability to practice and adhere to organizational values. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with faculty, alumni, donors, students, volunteers, and the general public. Outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Excellent analytical skills are required. Ability to travel overnight to conferences, work evenings and weekends, as needed. Must have a reliable means of transportation.