Executive Director of Development, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

ASU Foundation, one of five nonprofit entities that make up ASU Enterprise Partners, is seeking an Executive Director of Development for The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (The College).

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of ASU and the university’s largest and most diverse college offering unparalleled academic choice and unlimited opportunities for success. As the academic core of the New American University, The College fosters educational excellence, intellectual inquiry, discovery and unmatched access through a unique collection of programs in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.

The College has 90+ undergraduate majors and 140+ graduate degrees housed in 23 interdisciplinary schools and departments. Students are encouraged to pioneer solutions to society’s most pressing issues. This is accomplished by inspiring students to be socially aware, critical thinkers and global citizens who create and bring about positive change in the world.

The College’s 50+ research centers and institutes address large, complex problems and challenges facing society in hopes of finding solutions and making the world a better place. From pursuing cutting-edge research in evolutionary and sociococultural anthropology and archaeology to studying the oldest materials in the solar system and analyzing NASA mission data, our centers and institutes are working toward local, national, and global impact.

The Executive Director of Development for The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a senior professional who will lead one of the university’s largest and most successful comprehensive unit development programs. The Executive Director will foster significant philanthropic investments in the college by providing strategic direction to the academic leadership of the unit, collaborating with development colleagues across the university to promote opportunities to interested prospects, and proactively managing a prospect portfolio. This individual must be a seasoned development leader with a proven track-record in higher education development. The Executive Director will report to the ASUF Vice President of Unit Development, has a liaison reporting line to The College Senior Vice Provost and Senior Vice Provost and Dean, collaborates with the divisional deans, and serves as a member of The College’s leadership team.

The ASU Foundation has retained Lindauer, an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Adele Mezher is leading the engagement. Candidates should visit: Application Site to submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter.

What you’ll do

• Lead a comprehensive development program that generates more than $35 million in new gifts and commitments annually in support of The College's fundraising priorities

• Hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate a team of advancement staff supporting the divisions of Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and The College overall

• Develop successful partnerships that enhance private philanthropic investments in The College including individuals, foundations and corporations nationally and internationally

• Guided by the direction and scope of each prospect's interest, proactively collaborate across the university enterprise to leverage the maximum philanthropic potential of each donor

• Develop and submit written proposals, budgets and other collateral materials needed to secure philanthropic investments

• Provide fundraising expertise and counsel regarding potential development opportunities for evolving programs and priorities

• Collaborate and support deans, school directors,and department chairs in articulating compelling gift ideas and implement plans, goals and activities related to major gift fundraising

• Engage the deans directly with principal and major level prospects and prepare the deans and other college leaders to participate effectively in development activities and prospect appointments

• Participate in strategic planning for academic programs as it relates to fundraising, working closely with the deans and academic leaders to identify fundraising needs and opportunities

• Responsible for achieving the unit and personal fundraising goals/metrics

• Work within the ASU Foundation prospect management and tracking system, following all protocols for visits and solicitations

• Work in a fast-paced, results oriented environment with complex and evolving relationships and priorities

• Familiarity and ability to convey the benefits, concepts and strategies related to estate and gift planning, including bequests, beneficiary designations, donor advised funds, qualified charitable distributions, life income gifts, and other gifts of non-cash assets.

• Other development related duties as assigned by the Vice President of Unit Development and the Senior Vice Provost and Dean

What you'll need

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team and a clear record of management experienceCollaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information

• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing, and by phone

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible

• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies

• Ability to represent the institution well

• An advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University

• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties

• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects

• Demonstrated achievement in securing philanthropic investments

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of development/fundraising in higher educationSelf-starter able to secure personal appointments and qualify new prospects

• Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer data base systems

• Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building and moves management approach leading to successful gift closure

• Demonstrable experience in stewardship plans leading to additional investments

Relevant qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and ten years of successful development experience, preferably in higher education; OR, Any equivalent combination of education and experience within a complex organization from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.  

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution

• 22 days of vacation time

• 11 holidays, including your birthday

• Parental leave

• Significant tuition reductions

• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Foundation, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest

• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement

About ASU Foundation

The ASU Foundation fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education and conduct research for the public good.

At the ASU Foundation we value

Character
We prioritize character and integrity in every decision and action, establishing trust as the foundation of all that we do.
 

Service
We are dedicated to serving our students, donors, communities, and colleagues by fostering support and collaboration to ensure that our efforts are impactful.
 

Innovation
Innovation drives us to create meaningful opportunities and solutions, helping every member of our global community achieve meaningful outcomes.

The ASU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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