Associate Director of Development

Associate Director of Development

The George Mason University Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Associate Director of Development. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

The Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations is responsible for all aspects of fundraising for George Mason University which includes the successful discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of all donors. Advancement’s mission is to build strong, lifelong relationships with George Mason University’s alumni and constituents, while matching their philanthropic interests with the university aspirations and priorities. The division is committed to serving the needs of the university, our alumni, and the greater community by providing access to quality education and lifelong learning. Respect, service, integrity, collaboration, diversity, transparency, and creativity are the values that guide our work and culture.

About the Position:

The Associate Director of Development will plan and implement various strategies to raise funds from major donors and secure philanthropic support for the College of Public Health (CPH).

The Associate Director will manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, and be responsible for facilitating all phases of the donor engagement process, including initiating contact, cultivating and moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, creating solicitations, writing proposals, and stewarding donors. The position works collaboratively with key volunteers, CPH staff, Advancement staff, and other representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for priorities impacting student success.

Duties Include:

• Assists the Senior Director of Development in preparation of annual and strategic plans for fundraising initiatives and oversees implementation of these plans;
• Carries a portfolio of individual and corporate donors that are being moved through the donor engagement process and meet or exceed metrics for visits, asks, and dollars raised as defined by George Mason’s Advancement team;
• Obtains financial support for the College of Public Health (CPH) by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding current donors and identifying new donor prospects;
• Plans and implements donor relations and fundraising events for major donors with the goal of donor engagement and support;
• Develops an executive stewardship plan for the College of Public Health;
• Maintains accurate and timely records using University Development data management and reporting systems;
• Coordinates all annual giving fundraising appeals for the College of Public Health;
• Coordinates all alumni engagement events in conjunction with CPH units, CPH Alumni Board, and Central Advancement;
• Follows Mason policies and procedures, maintain files, and provides annual projections; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of donor engagement process, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals, corporations, and foundations;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of alumni, faculty, staff, donors, students, and colleagues throughout the university;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills;
• Ability to take initiative and work independently;
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with appropriate discretion;
• Attention to detail and follow-through;
• Demonstrated success in moving donors efficiently through the donor engagement process, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship;
• Demonstrated success closing five-figure gifts;
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing fundraising strategies;
• Demonstrated experience working with a variety of funders, including corporations, foundations, and individuals; and
• Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours for events and ability to travel (locally and nationally) as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field and demonstrated successful professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved;
• Previous experience with annual giving campaigns;
• Experience fundraising in higher education;
• Experience fundraising for an annual fund, or initiatives focused on annual giving; and
• Experience working with diverse populations including students, faculty, staff, community members, etc.

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA67HZ https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload (1) a cover letter, (2) resume, (3) list of three professional references with contact information (one of which should be a current/recent supervisor), and (4) statement of diversity (as Other doc).

Statement of diversity: Reflect on your work with diverse individuals and/or groups in a teaching, mentorship, research, or advisory capacity. How did you help them capitalize on their strengths and overcome barriers to success? (No more than 2 paragraphs)

Equity Statement: 

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.