Assistant Director of Development

Position Summary:The Assistant Director of Development is part of the Department of Alumni Relations (DAR) Development Team at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for gift fundraising, along with increasing alumni engagement and annual giving programs to drive greater levels of engagement and support. The Assistant Director of Development will be responsible for soliciting gifts of $25,000 and larger for Vanderbilt University.We have multiple job openings for the Assistant Director of Development position, including our National Discovery team, Law School, and School of Medicine.About the Work Unit:The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University's teaching and research programs.  You can find more information at Functions and Expected Performance:Actively cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts by:Conducting 100+ visits (electronically or in-person as deemed appropriate) annually with prospects capable of making annual gifts and pledges of $25,000+ Effectively communicating results of prospect visits to appropriate personnel, such as other development staff, with particular emphasis on major donor prospect identificationQualifying 4-8 major donor prospects each yearUsing data to identify prospects for annual gifts and largerSupport retention and increased giving of current leadership donors                       Establish oneself as a knowledgeable staff member by:Learning the Vanderbilt mission and being knowledgeable about Vanderbilt and the Regional Philanthropy and Engagement responsibilities to the mission.Attaining an in-depth understanding of the development programs and their goals in Regional Philanthropy and Engagement.Cultivate relationships with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) staff, Deans and administrators, and colleagues within Vanderbilt University as a whole.  In addition, cultivate relationships with external constituencies such as alumni, parents, and friends of the University by:Collaborating with DAR staff to build and maintain best practices in giving.Establishing a sound working relationship with DAR staff to enhance collaboration.  This includes working with major gifts officers, operations/advancement services, school leadership, reunion teams, and the DAR leadership team.Enhance departmental performance standards by:Performing as a team playerMaintaining a level of reliability that generates stability in the departmentMeeting or exceeding department performance standardsFostering a spirit of cooperationContribute to departmental efficiency by:Understanding and effectively communicating departmental policy and proceduresClearly communicating concerns and questions to supervisor and staffSoliciting guidance from supervisor and co-workers when uncertainty arisesConveying thoughts to supervisor on improving departmental performancePerforming other duties as assignedApproach each situation with a professional attitude by:Exercising good judgment in discussing issues and resultsMaintaining composure and a calm demeanor during challenging situationsRespecting the need for confidentiality of donors and colleaguesKey Performance Indicators (KPI) for this role will include:Fundraising goals (individual and team)Number of visitsNumber of gifts closedAlumni, parent, and corporate givingOthers TBDThe Assistant Director will work in collaboration with other members of DAR staff to be successful and support university-wide objectives, along with a commitment to being donor-centric.  Will work diligently with donors and volunteers to identify their peers to help increase the Vanderbilt sphere of influence.Establish oneself as a knowledgeable staff member by:Attaining an in-depth understanding of the development programs and their goals in Regional Philanthropy and EngagementLearning the Vanderbilt mission and being knowledgeable about Vanderbilt and the Regional Philanthropy and Engagement's responsibilities to the missionCollaborating with DAR staff to build and maintain best practices in soliciting major giftsEnhance departmental performance standards by:Maintaining a level of reliability that generates stability in the departmentMeeting or exceeding department performance standardsFostering a spirit of cooperationUnderstanding and effectively communicating departmental policy and proceduresClearly communicating concerns and questions to teamConveying thoughts/ideas to the leadership team on improving departmental performanceApproach each situation with a professional attitude by:Exercising good judgment in discussing issues and results with the teamMaintaining composure and a calm demeanor during challenging situationsRespecting the need for confidentiality of donors and colleaguesPerforming other duties as assignedOther duties as assignedWork EnvironmentThis position will be hybrid located in the Nashville area.  The expectation will be 1 day in the office per week, or more depending on business needs.Supervisory Relationships:This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director or Director of Development.Education and Certifications:Bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, is necessary Experience and Skills:Two years of development or relevant experience, or the equivalent, is necessaryTwo or more years of experience in development or alumni relations preferred, with direct donor contact experienceWillingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $25,000 and largerExcellent oral and written communication skillsInterpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employeesAbility to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential informationAbility to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt's donor management systemExperience with trip planning, domestic travel, and scheduling â

Created: 2025-02-20