Associate Director of Development, Graduate School of Education and Psychology

Pepperdine seeks a dynamic, effective, and engaging fundraiser for the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP). Under the general direction of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Development and in close collaboration with the Dean of the GSEP, the incumbent is responsible for the conceptualization, planning, and implementation of a development and fundraising program that will result in the generation of private support including corporate, foundation, and individual leadership annual and major gifts for program initiatives of GSEP. The fundraiser’s effectiveness will be evaluated on the ability to achieve financial goals and contact metrics consistent with the programs and prospects assigned. Prospect portfolios may include regional and national assignments involving travel.

Duties

• The Associate Director of Development (DOD) serves as a front-line fundraiser who identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of approximately 120-150 donors/prospects with giving capacities that range from $5K-$1M . The DOD will design, develop and implement an annual and major gift program and will be responsible for managing and cultivating relationships with existing prospects, as well as identifying new prospects. Prospect identification will include planned giving targets and prospective Board of Visitors members. The DOD will execute 12-18 significant meetings with prospects each month with at least 65 annual giving and major gift proposals for the year. The DOD will work closely with the Sr. Vice Chancellor of Development and the Dean of GSEP to develop and implement strategies to engage major gift prospects, and advance gift conversations towards funding opportunities in support of top priorities. The DOD will be responsible for identifying funding opportunities while working in conjunction with faculty, the corporate and foundation relations team, planned giving, and others across the university. 
• Completes a minimum number of annual and major gifts asks, visits, and written strategies; metrics and goals are negotiated and set annually with the DOD including guidance from the Sr. Vice Chancellor of Development.
• Identifying, cultivating and soliciting alumni, volunteers, and friends for the GSEP.
• Works in a highly collaborative environment, the DOD will have opportunities to engage with faculty, manage volunteers, and collaborate with colleagues across the University like the Research, Grants and Foundation Relations department, Planned Giving, Annual Giving, and the Advancement Division. 
• Conduct ongoing stewardship activities to further enhance the relationship between donors and Pepperdine University. Track and analyze fundraising metrics. Utilize the Pepperdine advancement database, The Raiser's Edge, to research historical records and communications with donors and prospects, and document new actions and proposals. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 
• Uphold University mission through work performed. 

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required: Education and/or experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in a related field; Two to three years of experience in fundraising programs and proven success in raising annual and/or major gifts; Proven experience in the full spectrum of development including cultivation, stewardship and donor recognition; Strong sense of ethical conduct that will inspire confidence and motivation with the proven ability to persuade colleagues and donor prospects, while maintaining confidentiality in all matters as they relate to sensitive donor relations issues; Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of annual and major gift fundraising, preferably within a university environment; Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, design and implement a development program; Ability to direct the design of strategies for cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors; Ability to work effectively with other advancement staff in devising, analyzing, modifying, implementing, and evaluating development programs; Skill in communicating persuasively, both orally and in writing, about private gift fund raising; Understanding of University Advancement functions with an ability to coordinate and integrate fundraising efforts with alumni, media relations, and marketing professionals within advancement; Ability and willingness to articulate the Christian mission and culture of Pepperdine in everyday work and interactions with others.

Preferred: Advanced degree; Knowledge of the academic issues related to the disciplines of the Graduate School of Education; Experience with major fundraising and capital campaigns.

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $75,600 - $84,000

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.