Job Details
Job Location: Columbia College - Columbia, SC
Position Type: Full Time
Salary Range: Undisclosed
Description
JOB SUMMARY
The Vice President of Development is a pivotal executive role responsible for leading and expanding the college/university's fundraising and development initiatives. This position requires a dynamic, innovative, and strategic leader capable of crafting and implementing a comprehensive development strategy to significantly increase the institution's philanthropic support from individuals, alumni, foundations, and corporations. The Vice President of Development will work closely with the President, Board of Trustees, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment with the institution's strategic goals and mission.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Strategic Leadership: Develops and executes a strategic plan for fundraising that aligns with the institution's goals, mission, and priorities. Leads the development team in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors, alumni, and other key stakeholders.
- Team Management and Development: Builds, mentors, and leads a high-performing development team. Fosters an environment of accountability, professional growth, and results-oriented performance.
- Fundraising and Campaign Management: Spearheads major fundraising campaigns, including capital campaigns, endowments, and planned giving, achieving and surpassing financial targets. Leverages technology and data analytics to enhance fundraising efficiency and effectiveness.
- Donor Relations and Stewardship: Establishes and maintains strong, trust-based relationships with donors and prospects. Implements donor recognition programs and stewardship practices that effectively communicate impact and appreciation.
- Partnership and Community Engagement: Enhances the institution's visibility and philanthropic support by building and maintaining relationships with community leaders, businesses, and other partners. Represents Columbia College at community and external events.
- Compliance and Best Practices: Ensures adherence to ethical and legal standards in fundraising practices. Stays abreast of trends, policies, and regulations affecting philanthropy and apply best practices in development activities.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, nonprofit management or closely related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in fundraising and development within higher education or a comparable nonprofit sector, with a proven track record of success in major gift fundraising and campaign leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to strategically move individuals and institutions across the spectrum of prospect development, culminating in major gifts.
- Knowledge of fundraising data systems and databases; proficiency in analyzing and utilizing data to inform decisions and strategies.
- Must have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, utilizing Outlook, Word, Excel and Microsoft Teams, including fundraising data systems and database software skills necessary to create and maintain reports and logs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders and build long-lasting relationships.
- Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to plan and manage both at strategic and operational levels.
- Ability to inspire and lead teams towards achieving strategic objectives.
- Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Requires sedentary work that involves walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, hearing, mental acuity, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work environment risks exposure to no known environmental hazards.
EOE M/F/D/V
Qualifications