Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
The Director of Development Major Gifts (level 16) provides strategic direction, vision, and leadership for a comprehensive individual fundraising program for The Fuqua School of Business. The Director of Development oversees a staff of five who comprise the functions of major and leadership gifts and frontline annual giving. The Director of Development reports to the Associate Dean, Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) and collaborates with Fuqua's Dean, the DAR department, and other Fuqua and Duke University departments on overall strategy, initiatives, and events.
Job Duties
Leadership and Management (40%)
Work in tandem with the Associate Dean, Development and Alumni Relations to develop
and implement the vision and strategic plan for ongoing fundraising priorities, balancing the need for ever-increasing annual fund results, scholarship and faculty support, capital projects, and other strategic needs of the school.
Serve as a member of the Development and Alumni Relations leadership team that advises the Associate Dean on strategic and administrative matters.
Provide leadership and manage day-to-day operations for the frontline fundraising team, clarifying goals and establishing timelines, metrics, and milestones for accomplishing them.
Manage interaction and collaboration among Fuqua's frontline fundraisers in coordination with Duke University Development staff.
Measure and report progress towards team and individual fundraising goals and provide insight into improving the effectiveness of frontline fundraising activities.
Work with the Associate Dean in planning the annual budget for the development function and monitoring its expenditures. Seek operating efficiencies throughout the year and target effective spend of departmental dollars.
Provide direct supervision of development professionals, including hiring, performance appraisals, promotions, and vacation schedules; conduct monthly assessment and review meetings; conduct formal, written annual evaluations.
Serve on University committees and participate in business school consortiums pertaining to fundraising.
Communicate and benchmark with staff in similar roles at peer institutions to learn about their development and alumni relations program successes and best practices.
Attend cross-functional meetings in place of the Associate Dean as needed at Fuqua and within the Duke development community.
Fundraising (60%)
Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 100+ prospects capable of gifts of $100,000 or more.
Carry a high expectation for both personal and team annual fundraising results.
Oversee creation of and monitor strategies for all Fuqua prospects in the $100,000+ range. Work closely with the Associate Dean to develop strategies for major and principal ($1 million and more) donors.
Staff senior administrators and faculty on fundraising initiatives.
Assist administrators and faculty in the recognition and prioritization of institutional and departmental funding needs; keep abreast of institutional priorities, programs, and events for use in development efforts.
Serve as one of Fuqua's liaisons to University Development and other Duke Development operations. Attend University-wide development meetings, communicating Fuqua's development activities, and looking for opportunities to partner with other development organizations within the University.
Coordinate regional coverage of Fuqua's major gift prospects with gift officers from other Duke University schools and units, including Duke's central development function.
Create effective proposals for use by all individual giving officers.
Work with donor relations staff to develop personalized stewardship plans for major and principal gifts donors.
A minimum of sevenyears of fundraising experience; experience in alumni relations, higher education, or Duke University preferred.
Significant track record of closing commitments of $100,000+.
Five years of experience successfully managing multiple direct and indirect reports, including performance management.
Demonstrated success managing a team of fundraising professionals.
A commitment to and passion for the issues and values of a business school education in a research university setting.
Impeccable customer service skills.
Refined written and oral communication skills.
Experience and comfort in interacting with senior level executives.
Strong work ethic in a fast-paced, results-oriented team environment.
Creativity, adaptability, diplomatic skills, and sense of humor.
Proficiency with Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and experience handling confidential information.
Creativity and stamina to drive dynamic results.
The ability to develop and sustain a high-performing team.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Ability to travel extensively.
Note: The above job description is not to be construed as a complete listing of assignments that may be given to any employee, nor are such assignments restricted to those precisely listed in this description.
Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
