POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Associate Dean of External Relations has a primary responsibility to provide the strategic leadership of the comprehensive national and international fundraising program for the College of Arts and Sciences, including the functional areas of principal gifts, major gifts, annual giving, foundation relations, corporate relations, alumni relations, and external affairs. This position will report jointly to the vice president of school and college development and the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, with day-to-day supervision from the vice president of school and college development.
The associate dean will work to develop both long-term and short-term fundraising strategies in alignment with the strategic plans of the College of Arts and Sciences and the university’s overarching strategies for development and university relations, to identify corresponding goals and objectives, and to develop tactical plans to achieve them. This position will engage in direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and participate in planning and implementing college-specific initiatives with the expectation that they will be fully responsible for individual gift activity within the College of Arts and Sciences. Local, national and international travel is required.
The associate dean is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding 100+ prospects, including alumni and non-alumni, as well as a targeted group of local, national and international corporations and foundations. The associate dean will oversee the college’s national and international fund raising programs, special events, marketing, offer counsel in planning and implementing its fund raising campaigns outside of Cleveland and supervise the College of Arts and Sciences’ external relations team.
The associate dean is a key member of the dean’s senior administrative group, advises and staffs the dean, department chairs and members of the faculty on all fundraising activities, and serves as a primary point of contact to the external community on the positioning of development programs. Functioning as part of a university-wide development team, this position will be expected to work collegially and in partnership with school-based colleagues and develop strong relationships with central development personnel.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Develop and implement a strategic plan for the college’s development and alumni relations activities in support of the college’s strategic plans, encompassing all departments, degree programs, and centers, with goals of increasing philanthropy, alumni participation and satisfaction. Provide leadership and management oversight of all aspects of the college’s development and alumni relations programs. (20%)
Serve as a member of the senior staff of the College of Arts and Sciences and advisor to the Dean on matters of advancement, development, and external affairs. Work in partnership with the Dean; other development and alumni relations colleagues; faculty, alumni and other stakeholders of the College of Arts and Sciences; and university relations and development to raise philanthropic support for priority programs, centers and departments. (20%)
Manage a discrete portfolio of high capacity national and international prospective donors to maximize gifts from alumni and other stakeholders of the College of Arts and Sciences. (15%)
Define, plan, initiate and direct all aspects of the fundraising program for the college in the areas of individual major gifts, annual fund, alumni, foundation and corporate relations and planned giving. Coordinate and participate in major and principal gift solicitations by working closely with the vice president for school and college development, senior vice president for university relations and development, the dean, and College of Arts and Sciences development officers. (15%)
Manage and direct the development and alumni relations staff of the College of Arts and Sciences, including strategic planning, solicitation strategies, and performance measurements. Approve expenditures and manage the budget for Development and External Affairs for the College of Arts and Sciences. Operate effectively and with fiscal responsibility, both as an individual and in a team environment. (10%)
Provide direction and supervision on all external affairs to enhance the college’s image and to promote its development activities and academic programs. Serve as the college’s primary contact with regard to fundraising issues. (10%)
Assist with the staffing of alumni events, running screening programs and providing staff support for regional volunteer leadership recruited to further the university’s overall and development goals. (10%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
CONTACTS
Department: Frequent contact with dean, associate deans, departmental chairs and directors. Contact with faculty, students and staff as required to perform essential functions.
University: Regular contact with the president’s office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.
External: Continuous contact with friends, corporate and foundation representatives, community organizers/advocates, federal, state and local government officials. Occasional contact with foreign visitors, volunteer boards, and other organizations as required to perform essential functions.
Students: Infrequent contact with undergraduate, graduate and professional students as required to perform essential functions.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Supervise a department of nine professional and administrative staff (9).
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: 10 or more years of progressive experience in development, alumni relations, or related field (substantive sales, marketing, and/or legal experience). University experience is highly desirable; however, experience in a multi-unit organization or corporation will also be considered. Must have a proven track record of successful fundraising. Previous supervisory experience required.
Education/Licensing: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Tenacity in identifying new sources of philanthropic support, ability to close gifts
Ability to work independently and show accountability for fundraising programs.
Ability to multi-task and work with an ever-changing schedule.
Must be able to work effectively under stress.
Proven ability to work effectively in a team-oriented and multifaceted development program.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Outstanding interpersonal skills required.
Ability to interact successfully with a variety of constituents.
Strong organizational planning and management skills.
Goal oriented.
Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Willingness to travel and work on a flexible time schedule including some evening and weekend hours. Travel outside of the Greater Cleveland area will be required.