Job Abstract

Job ID

2024-14641

Category

Advancement

Position Type

Regular Full-Time

The Assistant Dean for Advancement within Catholic University’s School of Engineering serves as the Chief Advancement Officer for the School, responsible for all activities related to identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of annual, major and planned gifts from alumni, friends, and institutions. The position collaborates closely with the central University Advancement team, which provides resources and strategic counsel, and uniform metrics to help drive results within the schools and across the University. The Assistant Dean also leads the collaborative effort in building alumni engagement and communicating the School’s mission, vision, and achievements to key donor, alumni, and additional external constituencies. The position reports dually to the Associate Vice President for University Advancement and the Dean of the School of Engineering. The Assistant Dean provides counsel to the Dean of the School and faculty on advancement matters, sets the philanthropic strategy and goals annually, and helps to organize and achieve the School’s philanthropic priorities in order to maximize external support. The Assistant Dean will manage Advancement staff members within the School of Engineering, and will provide direction and leadership to University Advancement central staff in order to best support the priorities and activities of the Engineering School.

• Overall Program Management: Lead the advancement effort for the School by developing, implementing and evaluating the annual advancement plan. Advance philanthropic priorities annually in support of the School. Serve as primary point of contact on all matters pertaining to fundraising and the School of Engineering.
• Individual Goals: Focus on securing major and principal sources of support to meet funding priorities set by the Dean and in response to supporting key initiatives or strengths of the academic program within the school. Manage a portfolio of relationships with major and principal gift suspects, prospects, and donors.
• The Asst. Dean will be expected to build, grow and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, based on new and past donors, at the $100k+ level, in addition to the metrics below.
• The Asst. Dean will be expected to conduct at least 100 prospect visits annually, soliciting and closing 15-25 major gifts and engage the same number of new major prospects each year.
• While yearly gift revenue goals will vary, the Assistant Dean must build upon a program that currently generates 7-figure revenue annually.
• Annual Giving & other Collaborative Efforts: The Asst. Dean of Advancement will manage annual fund giving and solicitation efforts by working with central advancement to develop direct mail solicitations for the School’s alumni and friends.
• The Assistant Dean for Advancement, Engineering will collaborate with central Advancement office colleagues in areas including planned giving, stewardship and donor relations, institutional partnerships, and constituent engagement to support the advancement program within the School of Engineering.
• Management of Volunteer Leadership: Build and maintain volunteer leadership through engagement with the School’s Board of Visitors and other alumni or external constituencies key to the School’s fundraising success. Recruit new members to grow the board and the pool of flexible revenue the dean can use to pursue opportunities and create new programs. Provide guidance for and management of programmatic content and stewardship activities for these constituents.
• Administrative Leadership and Oversight: Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate a team of School and University Advancement staff.
• Faculty Engagement: Work with the Dean and the Advancement staff to cultivate strong working relationships with faculty of the school who are overseeing priority academic and research areas. Guide academic partners through the major gift prospect development process. Manage the development of proposals, solicitation letters and other development materials for faculty use with School of Engineering prospects and donors. Continuously educate and steward the faculty to encourage their participation in philanthropic work.
• School-Based Event Management: Direct the school efforts in developing, marketing, and executing Engineering events and initiatives aimed at cultivating donors, engaging alumni, and enhancing the visibility and reputation of the school.
• Gift Revenue and Department Budget Management: Work with the School of Engineering’s finance staff and University Advancement budget and gift acceptance staff to align gift accounts and develop and manage operational budget.
• Supports the Division of University Advancement in achieving its strategic and fundraising goals, as well as Campaign goals, through positive and productive interaction and collaboration with all departmental staff, University liaisons, and external constituents.

• A Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible development/advancement experience within a large, highly complex non-profit business environment.
• Higher Education Experience is strongly preferred.
• People management experience is desirable.
• Candidate should have a demonstrated track record of characteristics for success in Advancement, including: “motivation, intelligence, tenacity, teamwork and organization.”
• Experience managing volunteer leadership groups (board management).
• The successful candidate will work in an environment that puts a strong emphasis on metrics and success as well as the capability to work independently and as part of a team.
• They will have the demonstrated ability to take initiative and be a self-starter; manage projects; determine priorities and maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Candidates meeting the above requirements who also have the ability and willingness to travel, and to work occasional evenings and weekend hours are encouraged to apply.
• Complete proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, and in Google Suite applications.
• Skill in using development-related database systems preferred but not necessary.
• Excellent proofreading and editing skills; strong interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills are essential
• Ability to prioritize work and follow general office procedures.
• Possession of current and valid U.S. driver’s license appropriate to the type of university vehicle driven.
• An acceptable Motor Vehicle Driving Record (MVR) as stipulated in the Vehicle Guidelines and Procedures Manual administered through the office of Environmental Health and Safety.
• Annual clearance of MVR check through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.
• Must be polished, passionate and have exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Must possess the ability to lead and obtain results from professional colleagues and exceptional ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must have effective planning skills.
• Ability to work independently, under deadlines, without close supervision
• Self-direction in the initiation, coordination, and completion of tasks
• Acute attention to detail.
• Excellent relationship-building and volunteer engagement skills
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external constituencies, including individuals of significant influence and affluence.