Job Information
Vanderbilt University Director of Development, School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee
Vanderbilt University’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, major gift officer to serve as the Director of Development, School of Medicine.
Reporting to DAR’s Senior Director of Development, School of Medicine/Basic Sciences, this position will serve as a strategic partner responsible for managing and executing development plans for the School of Medicine. While the fundraising for this position will be mainly focused on the academic mission of the School of Medicine, there will also be additional support provided by this position for the School of Basic Sciences operations.
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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects for gifts of $100,000 and above; develop solicitation strategies for prospects that are potential major gift donors; make direct solicitations; staff deans, faculty, and volunteers as needed.
Manage a portfolio of up to 85 prospects and donors.
Regular travel and occasional evening/weekend work is required.
Complete at least 100 face-to-face visits each fiscal year.
Annual goals are dependent on portfolio capacity and personal pipeline planning.
Support the Senior Director on various focused projects within these Schools.
Support the Senior Director with major gift pipeline development.
Work in close collaboration with the Dean, faculty, and leadership from the School on fundraising strategies and initiatives.
Assist with staffing Deans for donor visits and travel.
Represent the Team, DAR, and Faculty/Staff as needed.
Work collaboratively with Senior Director and other development officers in cultivating prospects interested in supporting School of Medicine.
Establish oneself as a knowledgeable staff member by:
Learning the Vanderbilt mission and being knowledgeable about DAR’s responsibilities to the mission.
Attaining an in-depth understanding of the development programs and their goals in supporting all schools/units.
Becoming an expert in School of Medicine and School of Medicine-Basic Sciences initiatives, goals, projects, departments, etc.
Cultivate relationships with DAR staff, administrators, and Vanderbilt University as a whole. In addition, cultivate relationships with external constituents by:
Collaborating with DAR staff to build and maintain best practices.
Establishing a sound working relationship with DAR staff to enhance collaboration. This includes working with major gifts officers, the regional and discovery teams, operations/advancement services, research and prospect development, department leadership, strategic initiatives, and the DAR leadership team.
Enhance departmental performance standards by:
Performing as a team player.
Maintaining a level of reliability that generates stability in the department.
Meeting or exceeding department performance standards.
Fostering a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.
Contribute to departmental efficiency by:
Understanding and effectively communicating departmental policy and procedures.
Clearly communicating concerns and questions to supervisor and staff.
Soliciting guidance from supervisor and co-workers when uncertainty arises.
Conveying thoughts to supervisor on improving departmental performance.
Performing other duties as assigned.
Approach each situation with a professional attitude by:
Exercising good judgment in discussing issues and results.
Maintaining composure and calm yet professional demeanor during challenging situations.
Respecting the need for confidentiality of donors and colleagues.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not currently have supervisory responsibilities. There may be opportunity for this in the future. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director of Development, School of Medicine/Basic Sciences.
Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent work experience, is required.
Five years of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is required.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever changing priorities are required.
Prefer experience at a major research university or similar organization, including direct solicitation of five and six figure gifts from individuals.
Prefer experience selecting and training development officers.
Familiarity with Vanderbilt and/or solid understanding of a major research university environment is preferred.
The capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex academic environment.
The ability to apply sound judgment in all situations is required, as are excellent organizational skills with a meticulous attention to detail.
Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communications skills and the ability to articulate the needs, interests and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to a wide range of audiences.
Exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies and possess a genuine commitment to the advancement of education, research, and to the principles governing Development and Alumni Relations
Values the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
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Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.