Description
GENERAL PURPOSE
The Director of Advancement will develop and manage a portfolio of principal, major gift, and leadership annual giving prospects. The Director will develop sufficient knowledge of Eastman to effectively represent the school at local, regional, and national events and to provide guidance and assistance to regional University officers representing Eastman.
Working independently, the Director of Advancement will serve as prospect manager in several of Eastman’s top markets, ensuring that an appropriately sized prospect pool is strategically qualified, cultivated, and solicited both personally and by liaising with key regional gift officers. The Director will be expected to effectively track and manage prospect “moves,” short- and long-term strategies, and next steps, including identifying and recommending opportunities for Decanal and Presidential engagement. In addition, the Director will drive prospect engagement strategy in their designated geographic regions; manage advancement projects within assigned areas of responsibility, including events in designated geographic regions; and cultivate and promote prospects for volunteer roles at Eastman. This position will require frequent regional and national travel.
The Director will also be responsible for overseeing the Eastman Dean’s Circle, the school’s Rochester-based annual giving circle, including creating and overseeing a multi-year strategic plan and creating annual opportunities for engagement, stewardship, and communication. The Dean’s Circle is also a pipeline for leadership annual giving, as well as major and principal gifts, and the Director will be expected to appropriately manage this pipeline with peer Eastman and regional gift officers. Members of the Eastman Dean’s Circle will also overlap with the University’s George Eastman Circle (GEC), and the Director is responsible for liaising with the GEC team to complement their calendar of Rochester-based events and stewardship opportunities.
An Ability to work self-sufficiently in a fast-paced environment is crucial, as is understanding prioritization and time management. This position requires an individual who excels at cultivating and soliciting in an organized fashion, as well as prioritizing based on campaign timetables, competing priorities, and return on investment.
This position will report to the Executive Director of Advancement at Eastman. Given the changing demands of executing a comprehensive fundraising and engagement campaign, responsibilities within this position may change.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Major Gift Portfolio Management
Manage a prospect solicitation pipeline by initiating and/or strengthening relationships, with an emphasis on major gift prospects ($100K+)
Initial work will likely involve a high number of identification and qualification visits
Major Gift Solicitation Management
Create strategies for, and solicit, donors based on a thorough knowledge of both the stewardship process and the sophisticated cultivation process of Eastman’s donor base; strategize with the Executive Director on Presidential and Decanal engagement, as appropriate
Major Gift Moves Management
Manage a robust moves management strategy within Advancement databases and resources, including planning for travel and documenting donor interactions, correspondence, and proposals
Dean’s Circle Management
Create and oversee a strategic plan for the Eastman Dean’s Circle, as well as manage its implementation
Identify and cultivate Dean’s Circle members for Eastman’s major and principal gift pipeline
Create and oversee quarterly updates to the membership base
Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s Degree. Required
A minimum of 7 years of advancement/development experience at an institution of higher education, a multi-faceted arts organization, and/or other community-based non-profit is required.
Experience in a similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Required
Experience with volunteers and/or boards and working on high-level events is necessary. Required
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Exceptional communication and organizational skills; ability to work both independently and as part of a team in fast-paced, multi-faceted environment. Required
Equal ease with creating, managing, and maintaining both internal and external relationships, including high-priority donors, alumni, and volunteers, as well as University leadership. Required
Superb oral, written, and interpersonal skills required. Required
Proactive relationship-building skills, with an ability to create nuanced and thoughtful relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, faculty, administrators, and trustees. Required
Excellent organization and project management skills, with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines with keen attention to detail. Required
Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising and ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle. Required
Ability to work as a member of a team to accomplish stated objectives
Flexibility, thoughtfulness, and proactivity; ability to think strategically but accommodate real-time input and feedback. Required
A personal belief in the mission, goals, and objectives of the Eastman School of Music. Required
Experience with annual giving circles preferred.
