Job Abstract

$96,600.00 - $130,600.00 per year; commensurate with experience.

OVERVIEW
Santa Clara University is a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located in California’s Silicon Valley, offering its 8,800 students’ rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master’s, Ph.D., and law degrees. Ranked among the top 15 percent of universities nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, Santa Clara University is California's oldest operating institution of higher education. The University is focused on creating an academic community that educates citizens and leaders who will build a more just, humane, and sustainable world.

University Relations builds Santa Clara University’s excellence and character by strengthening relations with alumni, parents, and friends of the University, raising public awareness, and increasing private philanthropy. The Development Division has been recognized with the CASE Educational Fundraising Award, an honor given each year to superior fundraising programs at educational institutions across the country.

POSITION PURPOSE
Santa Clara University seeks a talented and experienced major gift fundraiser to support the philanthropic goals of the Jesuit School of Theology (JST). This individual’s portfolio will include alumni, parents and friends of JST.

This Director of Development, Jesuit School of Theology will play a critical role in Santa Clara University's and JST’s efforts to secure resources for its strategic funding priorities and to deepen its relationships with alumni, parents and friends of the Jesuit School of Theology. In support of JST’s strategic plan, this individual will design and implement strategies for increased engagement with JST’s current and prospective major donors. He/she will create and execute donor cultivation plans to leverage this historic time for the Jesuit School of Theology and achieve the goals of its ambitious new leadership and the School’s rising prominence in Jesuit theology.

This person will report to the Senior Director for Development and will build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects. He/she will lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects targeted for gifts between $100,000 and $1,999,999. He/she will work closely with the leadership of JST and colleagues across the University. This is a fixed term position through 06/30/2026.

This position is eligible for a flexible work schedule: hybrid - work from office and home.

A.    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the development of engagement and solicitation strategies for qualified major gift prospects (between $100,000 and $1,999,999); oversee the implementation and personally drive the execution of said strategies. This includes collaborating with JST and University leadership and other frontline fundraisers to develop and promote organized and strategic outreach to our donors.

• Secure and conduct personal face-to-face visits monthly to qualify, engage, solicit and steward JST’s major donors and prospects.

• Meet dollar goals as set by the Senior Director for Development.

• Interact with the Dean and/or university administrators in the form of fundraising strategy development, meeting and event attendance and written briefings as they pertain to assigned prospects and prospect development.

• Produce well written, accurate and timely follow-up and related correspondence such as comprehensive proposals, related budgets, contact reports, cover and thank you letters, e-mails, reports, and briefings in support of cultivating, soliciting and stewarding assigned prospects.

• Track and record activities as they relate to assigned prospects using the CRM database (CLARA) constituent management.

• Participate as an active member of the Office of Development, sharing information and collaborating with colleagues in a respectful and professional manner; contributing to a healthy and positive work environment.

B.    PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

• May provide work direction to shared administrative assistant and/or student worker.

C.    QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The items below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required or preferred.

This position requires the ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of higher education advancement preferred.

• Demonstrated understanding of annual, major gift and planned giving programs, with an emphasis on personal solicitations.

• Understanding and appreciation of the mission of Santa Clara University, the Jesuit School of Theology and the vision and values of a Jesuit Catholic educational institution.

Skills

• Must be a goal oriented and self-motivated individual who can demonstrate accountability, initiative, creativity and focus in a rapidly changing and intellectually stimulating environment. 

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate, build alliances, and achieve results within a population that may possess competing interests, opinions, and/or expectations.

• Demonstrate strong active listening skills and ability to negotiate positive outcomes.

• Positive attitude, sense of humor and flexibility.

• Excellent computer skills; proficiency in using advanced functions of word processing, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Google products (i.e., Google docs, Gmail, etc.) database and web resources. Knowledge of CRM database a plus. Willingness to learn new software if needed.

• Required to have a valid driver's license and personal transportation vehicle available for frequent travel to business meetings (mileage is reimbursed under federal guidelines).

Abilities

• Demonstrate a level of comfort working and communicating with top executives, community leaders and/or university leadership. Ability to motivate, build long term relationships with and gain the respect of internal and external clients.

• Ability to identify and implement major gift strategic planning, and solicitation strategies in support of strategic initiatives.

• Verifiable track record of soliciting individuals/organizations for financial investments and the ability to articulate and advocate a strong case for support.

• Demonstrate the ability to manage time and work load to multitask and achieve goals in a deadline driven environment.

• Demonstrate a genuine appetite to contribute to a collaborative, ethical, and professional team environment.

• Ability to work on the road and/or work at odd hours and on weekends.

• Ability to multitask in a deadline driven environment with a healthy attitude to attaining goals; to work independently and as a member of a staff team; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; to promote collaboration.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.

Years of Experience 

• 6+ years of related professional experience

• 3+ years of direct major gift fundraising experience. Verifiable track record of successfully soliciting and closing gifts from individuals/organizations.

• Experience in developing relationships with high net worth clients or customers, preferably at the major gift level.

D.    PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer and phone.

• Required to frequently travel to outside constituent meetings.

• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in-state or out-of-state locations.

E.    WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Typical office environment.

• Mostly indoor office environment with windows.

• Offices with equipment noise.

• Offices with frequent interruptions.

• Driving related to meetings with external constituents

?Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and California State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. Applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, see https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/policies-reports/

The health and safety of the University community is a top priority. The University strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as the vaccination and boosters are safe, effective tools that significantly minimize the chances of serious illness and hospitalization. Please contact Human Resources if you have any questions.

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Santa Clara University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender, and prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Information about Title IX can be found at www.scu.edu/title-ix. Information about Section 504 and the ADA Coordinator can be found at https://www.scu.edu/oae/, (408) 554-4109, oae@scu.edu. Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).   

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please go to the Campus Safety Services  website . To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Santa Clara University affirms its commitment to employ qualified individuals with disabilities within the workplace and to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. All applicants desiring an accommodation should contact the Department of Human Resources, and 408-554-5750 and request to speak to Indu Ahluwalia by phone at 408-554-5750 or by email at iahluwalia@scu.edu.