About Job

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private research university comprised of 14 schools and colleges.

Howard University, one of the nation’s leading research universities, is dedicated to educating students from diverse backgrounds at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Guided by an extraordinary cadre of faculty, students are immersed in cutting-edge scholarship and innovation, including nanotechnology, human genome research, atmospheric science, as well as the social sciences, arts, and humanities.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Schools & Colleges, the Director of Development provides leadership for all major gift fundraising initiatives for the Schools of Education, Divinity, and Social Work. The Director works closely with each School’s Dean, program directors, and faculty to develop fundraising priorities and lead revenue generation aligned with organizational goals reflecting the vision of Howard President Ben Vinson III, PhD.

Building on the recent increase in interest in and gifts to Howard, the Director will develop a proactive plan for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, managing a portfolio of 75-120 benefactors and prospects, with a primary focus on alumni and friends of the University. The Director will manage other major gift officers assigned to each School.

Responsibilities:

Lead fundraising strategic planning and management for the Schools, especially major individual giving, utilizing a “return on investment” strategy in managing a donor portfolio.
Serve as the strategic partner to leadership, particularly the Deans and the Executive Director, Schools & Colleges, by providing both strategic and tactical insights.
Conceptualize, implement, direct, and manage engagement initiatives that enhance and support fundraising priorities for the Schools.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and donors, using metrics to track all activity and provide timely reports.
Write complex proposals for solicitation of individual, corporate, or foundation prospects.
Enhance cultivation and stewardship strategies for top prospects and donors through high-level engagement with the Deans, faculty, or University leaders as appropriate.
Act as the subject matter expert on priorities for the Schools, developing and utilizing knowledge to elevate stories of the Schools’ efforts and successes.
Assist in formulating fundraising policies and procedures, as requested, and ensure they are accurately implemented at the Schools.
Produce fundraising performance reports and report on core development metrics to measure effectiveness.
In coordination with the Director of Alumni Relations, plan and manage alumni, fundraising, and other special events for the Schools.
Provide guidance and direction to staff involved in engagement initiatives and programs.

Ideal Candidate:

Bachelor’s degree required.
5 to 7 years of development experience, with at least 3 years of personal solicitation of individual major gifts.
Experience with an HBCU preferred.
Demonstrated experience in managing relationships with high-level prospects to secure major gifts.
Mastery of the fundamentals of major gifts fundraising and moves management.
A basic understanding of planned giving concepts and an ability to navigate internal processes and structures to the advancement of relationships with donors.
Superior written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to initiate and collaborate with partners at all levels.
Demonstrated ability to work interdependently and independently in a collaborative environment is vital.
Experience utilizing fundraising database programs (experience with Raiser’s Edge highly preferred).
Commitment to the mission of Howard University.