Director of Donor Relations and Campaign Initiatives

Description SUMMARY STATEMENT
The Director of Donor Relations and Campaign Initiatives leads critical fundraising efforts for Jackson College with a focus on managing strategic campaigns, securing gifts, and enhancing donor engagement. As an integral member of the Foundation team, this position drives the College's philanthropic initiative by fostering meaningful relationships with donors and stakeholders while ensuring the successful execution of campaigns, fundraising efforts, and donor engagement that align with the College's mission and priorities. It requires the ability to quickly adapt to institutional priorities in a progressive and ever-changing environment. This role is based on site at Jackson College's Central Campus, with substantial time dedicated to external donor engagement.

Essential Functions
BROAD FUNCTION
The "Director" will manage and expand a portfolio of donors and prospects, creating and implementing strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts to support the College's priorities. This individual will serve as the lead architect and strategist for the College's fundraising campaigns, working closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to plan, coordinate, and execute comprehensive initiatives. The role also involves supporting grant development and execution efforts as a key player in the College's overall grant investment strategies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


Campaign Leadership and Gifts Development

Serve as a key member of the Foundation team by designing, implementing, and managing multi-year campaigns, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and fundraising goals.

Develop campaign strategies, timelines, and budgets, coordinating efforts with Foundation staff, consultants, volunteers, and other stakeholders.

Lead campaign steering committees, providing guidance and motivation to volunteer leadership and staff.

Create compelling cases for support and deliver campaign-related presentations to diverse audiences, including donors, prospects, and community stakeholders.

Identify, cultivate, and solicit gift donors, managing a portfolio of high-capacity individuals and organizations.

Build and sustain long-term relationships with donors, ensuring consistent stewardship and recognition to enhance donor loyalty and engagement.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship

Develop and execute strategies to grow the donor base, focusing on identifying and cultivating new major donors and further engagement of existing donors.

Plan and implement personalized engagement plans for major gift prospects and campaign contributors.

Coordinate donor recognition events and activities, in collaboration with Foundation staff, to celebrate philanthropic milestones and strengthen relationships.

Develop MOUs, pledges and gift agreements as part of work with prospects and donors.

Remain continually informed of significant developments in the fields of taxation, planned giving, philanthropy and fundraising techniques.

Collaborate with the Chief Advancement Officer to match donors with strategic opportunities, ensuring their contributions align with their passions and the College's priorities.

Grant Development and Support

Serve as an integral part of the College's overall grant development strategies. Responsibilities may include grant writing, award implementation and post-award reporting.

Support College faculty and staff with grant identification, proposal development, and post-award compliance by offering guidance and technical assistance.

Review and evaluate grant opportunities to prioritize high-impact projects and ensure efficient resource allocation.

Collaborate with grant consultants, Academic Deans, Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Business Office to support grant implementation, tracking, and reporting.

Data Management and Reporting

Utilize the Foundation's donor management database and CRM systems to track donor interactions, campaign progress, and fundraising outcomes.

Prepare detailed reports on campaign performance, donor engagement, and gift stewardship for internal and external stakeholders.

Stay informed on best practices in fundraising, campaign management, and philanthropy, participating in professional development opportunities.

Utilize wealth screening tools to identify, cultivate, and enhance relationships with existing and future donors, ensuring strategic alignment with fundraising goals.

Leadership and Collaboration

Serve as a key member of the Foundation team, contributing to strategic planning and the overall success of fundraising initiatives.

Work collaboratively with faculty, deans, administrators, and staff across the College to align fundraising efforts with academic and institutional goals.

Represent the College in community events, organizations, and boards, building partnerships that advance fundraising and philanthropic goals.

Serve as department lead in the absence of Chief Advancement Officer

Other Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with all legal, ethical, and institutional guidelines related to fundraising activities.

Travel regionally and nationally to meet with donors and prospects, and for continued education/professional development opportunities. Some early morning, evening and weekend work required.

Responsible for understanding, supporting and actively demonstrating the College's beliefs, values, mission and vision and being in agreement to be evaluated by same.

Perform other duties as assigned.

This position offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced fundraising professional to lead transformative campaigns and build a legacy of philanthropic success for Jackson College.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES May serve as supervisor of consultants hired by the College related to campaigns. May serve as departmental administrator in charge during absence of Chief Advancement Officer.

CONTACTS AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
Internal:Regular contact and collaborative work with students, staff, faculty, and administration, campus-wide inclusive of all JC campuses.
External:Frequent contact with granting agencies, foundations and governmental units and community partners, businesses, organizations and the general public.

Minimum Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

Master's degree in a relevant field or bachelor's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience. Candidates with advanced degrees in fundraising, nonprofit management, or related disciplines are preferred.


Minimum Qualifications:

Proven experience leading major campaigns and gift fundraising initiatives, with demonstrated success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts.

Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and engage diverse stakeholders.

Strong organizational and project management abilities, capable of balancing multiple priorities and deadlines.

Knowledge of donor management systems, wealth screening tools, and CRM platforms.

Familiarity with grant development and post-award compliance processes is preferred.

Commitment to the mission and values of Jackson College, with a passion for advancing education through philanthropy.

Strong fundraising and relationship-building skills, including the ability to make persuasive solicitations

Strong organizational skills and superior analytical and problem-solving skills.

Intellectual curiosity and capacity to understand the full breadth of teaching and programs at Jackson College, the ability to translate that understanding to donors and funders via superior written and oral communication skills.

Excellent writing skills with impeccable grammar and attention to detail.

Understanding of the organization, operations, programs, policies, procedures, practices, terminology, philosophy, mission, goals and objectives of complex educational institutions.

Maintain a professional demeanor while working with a diverse range of constituents, including donors and prospective donors, external partners, students, and College personnel and our community

Ability to self-direct and manage work processes effectively and ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously.

Possess a high degree of comfort working with cultural diversity and an optimistic approach to work, supported by a strong work ethic and attention to detail.

A strong affinity for the institution and a capacity to be able to champion the College and its educational mission among its various constituents.

Professional maturity, perspective and credibility necessary to influence senior administrators, donors, and prospects.

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and discretion in interactions with others and adherence to the highest ethical standards

Ability to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment while managing multiple projects simultaneously

Strong technical and data management skills

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