Job Description:

 The Director, Leadership Giving for Brown University will be responsible for the strategic management of a leadership giving development program. Responsibilities include management of a team of 6 or more leadership gift officers with a primary focus on qualifying prospects, building relationships and securing gifts and pledges primarily in the 5- and 6- figure range. The Director will specialize in developing early stage major gift fundraisers and building a major gift pipeline within a high-performing Higher Education fundraising environment. 

A core responsibility of this role, will be to lead onboarding and ongoing training for all Regional Development gift officers. This position will also support Regional Development select program metrics, initiatives, and projects. 

The incumbent will have the opportunity to strategically manage a small personal portfolio as team transitions occur. These prospects will be weighted toward the capacity to make gifts of $1M plus to the University for which prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship are required.  

This position will collaborate heavily with the Academic Initiatives, Brown Annual Fund, and the Brown Sports Foundation teams to support specific fundraising goals; and Alumni Relations, Donor Relations and Special Events to support engagement programming geared toward pipeline development in multiple regions.  

The incumbent will oversee the fundraising strategies and progress for reporting fundraisers while working toward regional fundraising goals on an annual and long-term basis. The success of this team will be vital to building the future pipeline of support for the University.  

This position is based out of Providence, RI.

Brown University is committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, and equity and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  

Job Qualifications  

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in fundraising or in related fields such as development and sales. 

• Minimum 5 years of staff management experience.

• Experience in a higher education or a similar complex larger scale non-profit setting.

Required Qualifications

• Proven ability to solicit and close gifts on the $1M+ level, or equivalent experience in related fields (such as sales). Demonstrated success in managing a portfolio of donors resulting in multiple asks and gift closures year over year. 

• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of Advancement and the fundraising enterprise.

• Successful management track record with the ability to inspire, mentor, motivate team performance, and promote accountability. Provide appropriate training, support, and feedback to all fundraising professionals, including early, mid-career, and senior-level gift officers. Proven effectiveness at recruiting, hiring and retaining high-performance fundraising staff. 

• Computer proficiency and knowledge of CRM systems are required.

• Working knowledge of email and calendars, the Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other software such as Adobe Acrobat, donor databases, etc. 

• Must be able and willing to travel frequently throughout the United States to attend relevant programs and events and to meet with current and prospective donors and leadership volunteers to further cultivation and solicitation strategies. Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with major gift fundraising in a capital campaign, high-level volunteer management, and knowledge of Brown University is highly desired. 

Job Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), including experience/ability to identify and emphasize diverse perspectives in programming, communications, and strategy. Commitment to working in a team environment is essential.

• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills, team-building skills, and demonstrating tact, poise, and diplomacy while working with a wide variety of personalities. Ability and comfort in meeting and interacting with individuals of considerable social status and affluence is required.

• Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor, and prospect information.

• Must be detail-oriented, a self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects, priorities, and staff to meet goals and timelines.

• Decisiveness, trustworthiness, discretion, and creativity are daily requirements of this position.

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume with their application. All offers of employment are contingent upon a completed criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here.

Recruiting Start Date:

2024-12-11

Job Posting Title:

Director, Leadership Giving

Department:

Advancement

Grade:

Grade 13

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid Eligible

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

As an EEO/AA employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.