Associate Director of Development, University Priorities

Associate Director of Development, University Priorities

The George Mason University Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, invites qualified candidates to apply for a full-time position, Associate Director of Development, University Priorities. The division is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 135 full-time employees. Functional units within Advancement and Alumni Relations include development/fundraising, alumni relations, donor relations and stewardship, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services.

George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

This position also offers:

• Potential for flexible telework and hybrid telework scheduling
• Competitive salary
• Outstanding benefits including:
• Health and life insurance, multiple industry-leading retirement plans available including state VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan, accrued paid days off per year, paid holidays, paid winter break, paid sick leave, professional development, tuition reimbursement at GMU, and employee assistance programs.

About the Position:

The Associate Director of Development, University Priorities will plan and implement a variety of strategies to raise funds from major donors and secure significant philanthropic support for University priorities.

The Associate Director will manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors, including Corporations and Corporate Foundations, and be responsible for facilitating all phases of the gift cycle, including initiating contact, cultivating and moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, creating solicitations, writing proposals, and stewarding donors. The position works collaboratively with key volunteers, school leadership and faculty, Advancement staff and other school representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for university priorities.

Duties Include:

• Assists the Senior Director of Development for University Priorities in preparation of annual and strategic plans for fundraising initiatives and oversees implementation of these plans;
• Carries a portfolio of individual and corporate donors that are being moved through the donor engagement process culminating in major gifts (as defined by George Mason’s Advancement team);
• Obtains financial support for the University by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding current donors and identifying new donor prospects, including Corporations and Corporate Foundations;
• Cultivates and solicits new, multifaceted institutional partnerships at all levels and maximizes the return on investment by our partners;
• Maintains ongoing communication with prospects and donors through written correspondence and personal visits;
• Plans and implements donor relations and fundraising events for major donors with the goal of donor engagement and support;
• Assists as needed in University Priorities related development events, programs, and activities, some of which occur on evenings or weekends;
• Maintains accurate and timely records using University Development data management and reporting systems;
• Follows Mason policies and procedures, maintains files, and provides annual projections; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field and demonstrated successful professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill, and abilities have been achieved;
• Demonstrated fundraising experience in successfully cultivating and securing major gifts of $25,000 or more (generally five or more years);
• Experience with Corporate and Foundation giving;
• Consistent record of building solid relationships with prospects and donors;
• Ability to manage a mixed portfolio of individual, corporate, and prospective donors involving travel and considerable face to face meetings;
• Understand basic principles and techniques of planned giving and ability to work closely with planned giving colleagues;
• Understand business processes of advancement operations including prospect management, donor relations, and gift processing;
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, listening, and written communication skills;
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities; strong organizational skills;
• Demonstrated aptitude at representing an organization in a professional and highly effective manner;
• Able to work well with diverse groups of constituents and colleagues;
• High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation;
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with respect to prospects and donors;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
• Familiarity with CRM fundraising software; and
• Ability to travel as needed; evenings and weekends may be required.

Special Instructions to Applicants  

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA44KZ at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.