Director of Development
We are seeking a Director of Development for the Regional Development Team within University Relations. This is an individual contributor role responsible for securing funds to support the students, faculty, programming, capital projects, and overall mission and philanthropic priorities of Creighton University. Through prospecting, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a full portfolio of major gift prospects and donors (up to 70+ households), this position yields a significant amount of revenue for the University. The Director will focus on building relationships and a prospect pipeline for all schools/colleges within their assigned geographic territory into the University's comprehensive fundraising campaign. This will be accomplished through multiple methods of outreach and personal visits with alumni, friends, and benefactors of the University.
Key Responsibilities
- Cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects in order to support University philanthropic priorities.
- Focus on raising annual, operating, major, and planned gifts.
- Build a prospect pipeline for the comprehensive campaign through regional prospect engagement.
- Partner with alumni officers and other faculty and staff across campus when necessary to enhance donor cultivation.
- Partner with school/college-based gift officers and planned giving officers to maximize gift amounts and close rates.
- Be present and involved with regional, school/college-specific, and University events to connect with donors and discover new prospects.
- Partner with prospect development officers to deepen portfolio and build pipeline.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Minimum 5-7 years’ experience of demonstrated and successful fundraising preferred. Comparable experience will be considered.
- Experience in a college or university environment and a national campaign environment helpful. Knowledge of and commitment to the field of education a plus.
- Experience soliciting and closing six-figure gifts a plus.
- Must be comfortable discovering and pursuing new prospects and leads.
- Strategic thinker with superb organizational, verbal and writing skills.
- Outgoing and positive interpersonal skills with proven ability to work collaboratively or independently in managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Initiative, tenacity, strong results orientation, entrepreneurial mindset, and proven track record in setting and achieving ambitious goals desired.
- Must exhibit professionalism, integrity, and excellent judgment.
- Ability to operate both autonomously and collegially in a directed team effort preferred.
- Appreciation, understanding, and ability to effectively communicate Creighton University’s mission.
- Familiarity with Advance, Blackbaud or comparable fundraising database a plus.
- Ability to travel nationally for events and prospect visits required.
AAP/EEO Statement
Creighton University is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory educational and employment environment. The University admits qualified students, hires qualified employees and accepts patients for treatment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or other status protected by law. Its education and employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other programs and activities, are administered without unlawful discrimination.
Disclosure Statement
This description describes the general nature of work to be performed and does not include an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, or abilities required. Regular, reliable attendance is an essential function and all employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor. Employees may also be required to work in excess of normal working hours as workloads and seasonal activities necessitate. A complete description is available in the Human Resource office. Creighton University reserves the right to modify duties, responsibilities and activities at any time with or without notice.