The Senior Director of Philanthropy at Suffolk University is a critical position tasked with significantly enhancing the university’s fundraising capabilities. As a key member of the Advancement Division, the Senior Director of Philanthropy leads efforts to fundraise for Principal and Major Gifts, the Summa Giving Program ($1k+), and Planned Giving initiatives. The Senior Director works in close coordination with the Vice President of Advancement to seamlessly integrate these efforts into the university’s strategic advancement goals and to significantly increase year-over-year major donor support from alumni, parents, and friends of Suffolk University, thereby building a culture of philanthropy.
Primary Responsibilities:
Strategic Management and Supervision of Individual Gift Officers
- Recruit, train, and inspire fundraising staff, providing direction and coaching based on best practices in soliciting major, principal, summa (1k+) and planned gifts.
- Oversee the front-line staff, ensuring adherence to university policies and achievement of advancement goals.
- Work with VP, Advancement to establish and monitor specific revenue goals and performance targets for the front line-fundraising program, including Major Gift Officers, ensuring they align with broader university fundraising objectives.
- Foster collaboration within the Division of Advancement, and across university departments, to ensure fundraising efforts support University priorities. This includes working closely with Academic Deans.
- In partnership with the Director of the Summa Giving Program, increase annual giving from key constituents, focusing on donations of $1k+ to continuously enhance the culture of philanthropy at Suffolk University.
Personal Fundraising from a Defined Portfolio
- Conduct at least 75 face-to-face meetings annually, aiming to close between 10-15 significant gifts, thereby generating upwards of at least $2-3 million in annual revenue and cash.
- Manage a focused portfolio of 75-100 principal, major, and planned gift prospects, employing strategic cultivation and solicitation strategies.
- Lead all phases of the gift cycle, from initiating contact with potential major donors to developing sophisticated cultivation strategies, in close coordination with the Vice President of Advancement.
Advancement Leadership
- Report directly to the Vice President of Advancement to formulate and implement strategic individual giving practices.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues within the Division of Advancement and other university units to foster a culture of philanthropy across the institution.
- Meet and coordinate with the Associate Vice President of Campaign Strategy and Corporate & Foundation Relations to develop strategic engagements that enhance philanthropic support for university priorities from corporate and foundation donors and select cohort groups.
- Meet and coordinate with the Associate Vice President for Advancement Engagement and Annual Giving to coordinate stewardship strategy for major gift donors.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree is strongly preferred.
- At least 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in university advancement, with a proven track record in securing major, principal, and planned gifts.
- Comprehensive understanding of individual giving programs and best practices in higher education advancement.
- Demonstrated ability to strategically design, plan, manage, and execute complex advancement programs.
- Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with a focus on professional development.
- Creative thinker with the capacity to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- A strong commitment to advancing Suffolk University's priorities with urgency and precision.