Director of Development, Karsh Institute

Description

Join us at one of the country’s premier centers for the advancement of higher education. The University of Virginia seeks a seasoned and accomplished Director of Development for the Karsh Institute to lead a best-in-class fundraising program as it works towards the highly ambitious goals of the University of Virginia’s $5 billion Honor the Future Campaign.

Through interdisciplinary scholarship, research and teaching, and vibrant programs and partnerships designed to engage the public and influence policy agendas, the Karsh Institute is shaping a thriving democratic future. The Karsh Institute, which includes both UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and the Equity Center, collaborates closely with schools and centers across UVA that also work to advance democracy, including the Center for Politics, the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, the Karsh Center for Law and Democracy at the School of Law, the Miller Center of Public Affairs, the School of Education and Human Development, and the School of Data Science.

In this role, you will report to the Associate Vice President for Development in University Advancement with a dotted line to the Executive Director of the Karsh Institute. As director, you will play a key leadership role on a growing, highly integrated, and collaborative advancement team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional to make a valuable contribution in support of the programming and research missions of the Institute.

You should apply for this position if you are a collaborative, energetic, and charismatic professional with an affinity for the mission and values of the Institute. You will bring a proven track record as a major gift fundraiser, creative and entrepreneurial approaches to fundraising, and a strong work ethic dedicated to achieving ambitious team goals. You will be responsible for managing a growing development team to create and execute fundraising strategies. As the director, you will represent all units within the Karsh Institute of Democracy, both within the development community and to University leadership.

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact and align with our mission and values, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of democracy.

Job Duties

Develop and implement a comprehensive annual operating plan for fundraising to include goals, objectives, strategies, and metrics for measuring performance.

In coordination with the Executive Director of the Karsh Institute, the Executive Director of the Equity Center, and the Executive Director of the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, create and implment short-term and long-term fundraising goals and objectives and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs, projects, and services.

Staff, advise, and brief Executive Directors on fundraising and donor engagement.

Mentor and provide guidance to development officers regarding best practices in prospect engagement and fundraising.

Manage a portfolio of principal and major gift prospects to solicit capital, endowed, and current use support.

Plan travel, follow up, and stewardship of donors.

Collaborate with other fundraisers in partner units and across the University in overall relationship building of alumni, parents and friends to ensure a coordinated approach for prospects and donors and to develop and implement cultivation and solicitation plans.

Work closely with the Karsh Institute Advisory Board and other volunteers to develop and implement fundraising strategies.

Skills Required

Education: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: Eight years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:
At least five years of experience in non-profit or higher education fundraising
Proven track record of managing portfolios containing donors of $100,000+.
Success taking a collaborative, creative, and entrepreneurial approach to identifying and cultivating prospects.
Demonstrated ability to manage and develop fundraising strategies for multi-unit organizations in collaboration with University Leadership.
Ability to engage donors based on a senior executive leader’s vision.
Ability to meet and exceed achievable and challenging fundraising goals for a team.
Experience managing a team; ability to balance managing staff and portfolio.
Ability to effectively articulate the Institute’s and University’s educational mission, strategic aims, and programs.