General Summary: 

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Principal & Leadership Gifts and Campaign Director, the Director of Principal and Leadership Gifts is primarily responsible for developing managing, implementing, and overseeing strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 100-125 prospective leadership gift donors. The Director will create individualized solicitation plans leading to major outright and deferred gifts of $50,000+, integrating unrestricted and restricted gifts, endowment, annual and capital gifts in support of UMass Boston fund raising priorities. Responsibilities will most significantly include the identification, cultivation and solicitation of new prospects for the university. The incumbent will focus on three main Schools and Colleges at the university.

The Director of Principal and Leadership Gifts will serve as a fundraiser for university-wide targeted initiatives and will work with the Chancellor, the Provost, Deans, department chairs, key faculty members, and University Advancement colleagues in developing and implementing key fundraising strategies and activities.

Examples of Duties: 

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of UMass Boston and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific University needs;
• Work closely with three Deans and their staff to advance projects and ideas to advance university priorities;
• Research, identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward special and leadership gifts from a managed portfolio of 100-125 prospects and donors with capacity to make gifts of $50,000 and more. Face-to-face solicitations are required;
• Visit 10+ donors/prospects monthly along with significant phone, text and email outreach, and advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic investments in UMass Boston;
• Develop engagement and/or solicitation materials and collaborate with the Chancellor, the Provost, Deans, and Vice Chancellors and key faculty to translate the university’s fund-raising priorities into formal proposals for top prospects;
• Work with the Associate Vice Chancellor, Dean’s Directors, faculty and staff throughout the university to develop funding opportunities, engage in relationship-building activities of many kinds with faculty, volunteers and prospects; and provide general direction for support of university-wide targeted initiatives.
• Work with planned giving to identify prospects for bequests and other planned gifts to the University;
• Submit timely contact reports for each visit with detailed briefing papers;
• Gather, record and properly store information about prospects and donors utilizing Advance the University’s donor and alumni tracking database and use Gravyty for identifying new prospects;
• Plan and implement focused cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for specific gift opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree preferred and seven (7)-plus years of direct and successful development experience in fundraising, which includes a minimum of five (5)-plus years of leadership gift experience, preferably in higher education, with a record of closing major gifts is required. Experience in fundraising at a complex University is preferred. Strong interpersonal skills are required, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings. Incumbent must be able to travel locally and nationally to meet with donors and prospective donors to raise money on behalf of the University. Ability to work various hours including nights and/or weekends.

• Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality;
• Proven track record of successful solicitation and securing major and high-end annual gifts;
• Ability to be an effective advocate for the University;
• Ability to be proactive;
• Knowledge and proficiency with various planned giving vehicles is preferred;
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment; -Strong oral, written communication and interpersonal skills;

Supervision Received:

This position reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor Principal & Leadership Gifts and Campaign Director 

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 35             

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HRDirect@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.