Major Gifts Manager jobs in Cedar Rapids, IA

The University of Iowa is one of America’s premier public research universities. Known for its excellence in both the arts and sciences, Iowa is home to world-class academic programs, a renowned medical center, Big Ten athletics, and leading-edge artists. The University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA) works to support the University of Iowa through engagement and philanthropy and is seeking a relationship-oriented, entrepreneurial Director of Development to enhance main campus fundraising efforts in the Southeast, with a specific focus on North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. 

The Director of Development will join the UICA at a pivotal moment in the University of Iowa’s history as it advances an historic comprehensive campaign that will reach 300,000 alumni and friends, establish 3 million points of connection, and raise $3 billion for Iowa's boldest aspirations. As a key member of the Main Campus Regional Gifts team, the Director of Development plays a crucial role in cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors, alumni, and other supporters of the institution. The position collaborates regularly with both internal UICA colleagues and campus partners, advancing fundraising and engagement in partnership with the colleges of business, liberal arts and sciences, engineering, education and law, as well as the arts, athletics, and campus-wide strategic initiatives. Regular travel, around 50%, is required for this role. 

We strive to offer flexibility and balance for all staff; work from home is available 2-3 times per week depending upon business need and leader approval. Our office is located in Iowa City, IA.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Identification
• Advises Prospect Management staff in the identification of prospects (based on capacity, giving history, and affiliation) from among pools that may include alumni, fans, patients, or other supporters of the university
• Works with Prospect Management staff and supervisor to develop strategy for managing prospects
• Efficiently conducts proactive outreach calls and messages in order to secure face-to-face qualification meetings
• Provides strategic input into the design and implementation of engagement events and referral programs designed to build long-term relationships and attract major gifts
• Conducts all activities, particularly those involving patient data, according to established laws, policies, procedures, and standards and with the full support of UICA, UI, and UI Hospitals and Clinics as relevant

Qualification
• Optimizes qualification pool of potential major gift prospects with the goal of growing a continuous pipeline of donors capable of making gifts of $50,000
• Skillfully adapts structured questions to validate prospect’s capacity and inclination and understand strength of affinity
• Uses gathered information to independently determine whether prospects should be disqualified or moved into the portfolio
• Models the role of a trusted philanthropic advisor, using transparent communication and educating donors about the giving process

Cultivation
• Manages portfolio of active major gift prospects and develops their readiness to advance
• Builds travel plans demonstrating judicious use of time and resources, including strategic meetings with active prospects and additional qualification and stewardship meetings
• Develops and implements donor-centric cultivation strategies, collaborating with colleagues as needed
• Manages deliberate sequence of interactions with each prospect, intended to build engagement and move them through the steps of an established donor engagement process
• Maintains expert knowledge of funding priorities within and beyond assigned unit, consulting with UICA colleagues and campus partners as needed
• Facilitates prospects’ decision-making process; helps them understand next steps and articulate the link between their personal objectives and institutional priorities
• Maintains expert knowledge needed to ensure donors are fully informed about the full range of planned giving options

Negotiation
• Meets expectations for solicitations, gifts closed, and average gift size (goals established annually with the supervisor in alignment with organization-wide metrics)
• Knows where prospects fall in the donor engagement process and plans next steps accordingly
• Identifies meaningful ways for donor to achieve their desired impact while meeting funding needs
• Employs and models the use of communication and meeting preparation tools in order to achieve stated objectives for each step of the process
• Ensures documentation reflects donor intent and sets expectations for recognition and stewardship

Stewardship
• Develops, implements, and participates in appropriate stewardship activities (e.g., acknowledgement letters, publicity events) for donors as relevant, working with stewardship staff as needed
• Maintains integrity of constituent database through timely submittal of stewardship plans and contact reports for all significant interactions

Constituent Management
• Partners in the development of strategic fundraising priorities for the unit
• Clearly articulates the vision and priorities of the unit in a compelling and broadly understandable way
• Contributes to the ongoing success of events, volunteer structures, and industry partner programs that aim to increase engagement and private support of the unit
• Leverages strong relationships with campus partners/ leaders as well as external groups with ties to the unit
• Prepares partners/leaders as necessary for donor meetings and guides their critical role in the giving conversation and donor engagement process
• Collaborates with Corporate and Foundation Relations staff as relevant to identify and cultivate corporate and foundation gift prospects for assigned unit
• Provides input on annual giving strategy and partners with communications staff on the development of fundraising materials for assigned units including mailings, brochures, donor recognition, reports, etc.

Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience required, preferably in a fundraising, nonprofit, or higher education setting.