Director of Philanthropy- Repost

Job Description:

The Director of Philanthropy executes a comprehensive development strategy resulting in a highly effective fundraising program to reach fundraising goals including: operational budget, annual fund, event sponsorships and strategic partnerships, special programs and initiatives, scholarships, and other mission-focused areas. The Director is expected to develop and manage a robust fundraising pipeline and personally cultivate, solicit and solidify significant funds through individual donor cultivation, sponsorship development, event fundraising, major gift asks, and nontraditional funding initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Create and implement unique engagement strategies to secure six-figure plus program sponsorships, naming rights deals and collaborative partnerships and alliances.
• Identify, cultivate and secure significant major gifts from a variety of sources, including individuals, board members, trustees, alumni, foundations, and corporations throughout the United States and globally. Key efforts will be devoted to identifying and cultivating potential major donors, while strengthening and enhancing FIT's relationships with current donors. Cultivation will take place through a combination of personal visits, phone calls, letters, e-mail, and networking events and programs.
• Develop effective strategies to cultivate, manage, and maintain donor and supporter relationships.
• Collaborate on planning and execution of gatherings and events intended to raise significant funds.
• Collaborate with the VP of Advancement, the Director of Advancement, the Director of Alumni Engagement, the Strategic Philanthropy Specialist, and the fundraising, alumni and operations teams to strategize and implement cultivation events on-and off-site, attract funding prospects, and enhance the organization's reputation among target constituencies.
• Develop and execute non-traditional fundraising events, programs and strategies.
• Manage a portfolio of corporate and individual donors and prospective donors.
• Create strategic cultivation plans for donors, in order to ultimately secure sponsorships, major gifts and budget-relieving in-kind gifts for the college.
• Write and develop proposals that engage and activate prospects to partner with the college to raise funds to support key initiatives.
• Individual fundraising goals will be set according to financial goals of the college, with a minimum threshold of six figures for all gifts, partnerships and sponsorships cultivated.
• Familiarity with major and planned giving vehicles for ultimate bequests.
• Include campus faculty and/or staff in fundraising strategies and visits, in order to develop and foster long term financial relationships with the college.
• Participate fully in the life of the college in order to be able to communicate the extraordinary FIT story with donors and prospective donors.
• Develop a detailed understanding of the college's key fundraising priorities and articulate these in both written and verbal terms.
• Assist the Vice President with management of their prospect list, helping with a strategy and engagement process for ultimate solicitation by the Vice President.
• Manages the Fundraising team, including the Assistant Manager of Strategic Philanthropy and other Development associates.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7-10 years of experience in advancement, development or an equivalent combination of experience.
• Experience with sponsorship and major gifts development, preferably in higher education, high level sales and marketing, and/or the arts or similar nonprofit organizations.
• Experience in successfully identifying and nurturing prospects, closing major gifts and solidifying sponsorships; and familiarity with CRM and prospect rating and wealth analytics software.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proven ability to solicit and close financial agreements.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to compel, cultivate, and solicit high net worth individuals and their advisors.
• Strong analytical skills to research and identify potential donors.
• Strong strategic thinking and vision setting skills, coupled with ability to work independently to bring that vision to fruition.
• Excellent communication skills including writing, editing, and presenting.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an engaging and innovative personal style and a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings, including the ability to work diplomatically with partners and represent the Foundation and FIT.
• Demonstrated ability to work with high-level prospects, donors, and campus/trustee leaders.
• Ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and goals, and present solutions (vs. identify challenges).
• Ability to collaborate closely with colleagues in development and across departments.
• Highly developed leadership and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability in problem identification and resolution with excellent analytical and critical thinking skills is essential
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Proficiency in Raiser's Edge or similar CRM database system.
• An understanding of and the ability to articulate the accomplishments and goals of a complex organization.
• The intelligence, maturity and sound judgment necessary for interacting with board, trustees, administrative and academic leadership, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships and effective channels of communication at multiple levels inside and outside the organization with a proven ability to successfully interact with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of sound judgment and diplomacy, with a commitment to confidentiality.
• Strategic planning, organizational, administrative and budgetary experience is a plus.
• An ability and willingness to quickly learn FIT and the University's history, mission, demographics, faculty, current programs, departments, etc., as well as the University culture to be able to persuasively articulate how FIT distinguishes itself from peer institutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Read Comprehend- Constant; Perform Calculations- Frequent; Communicate Orally- Constant; Reason & Analyze- Constant; Write- Frequent

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The position is on campus, primarily in an office environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sit- Constant; Stand-Occasional; Bend- Occasional; Walk- Occasional; Climb- N/A; Pull- N/A; Push- N/A; Lift

Additional Information:

Days/Hours: M-F, 9am-5pm, in person; work schedule subject to change based on needs of the department.
Starting Salary: $120,000.00 per year; commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Full-Time Benefits
Employee Holiday and Work Schedule

Review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled.

Successful completion of a background check is required for appointment to this position once an offer has been made.

Application Instructions:

In order to be considered for the position, you must submit the following documents online:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial Transcript
• A list of three references with telephone numbers and email addresses

Returning Applicants - Login to your FITNYC Careers Account to check your submitted application material.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding his or her application status.

For more information about FIT, please visit FIT's website at: http://www.fitnyc.edu .

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

EEO/ Affirmative Action Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. By providing a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability, the FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military service status, genetic information, pregnancy, familial status, citizenship status (except as required to comply with law), or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212.217.3360, titleix@fitnyc.edu.

The Fashion Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is strongly and actively committed to diversity within the community.

About Fashion Institute of Technology:

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), part of the State University of New York and an internationally renowned college of art, design, business and technology with a strong emphasis on liberal arts, invites nominations and applications for a Director of Philanthropy in the FIT Foundation.