Virginia Commonwealth University
Director of Development - School of Social Work
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23214
Director of Development - School of Social Work
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university located in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia. Our mission is to serve students, patients, and the community by fostering creativity, teaching, discovery, and healing.
Benefits All full‑time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package, which includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted upfront, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax‑deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well‑being resources, and abundant opportunities for career development and advancement.
Duties & Responsibilities
Lead development and fundraising for the School of Social Work, serving as the primary development officer and strategic fundraising partner to the dean.
Design and measure annual long‑range fundraising plans tied to the school’s strategic needs.
Plan, execute, secure and steward five‑to‑seven‑figure gifts through individual effort by identifying, qualifying and soliciting major or principal gift prospects.
Manage a portfolio of 70–100 top prospects with a giving capacity of $50,000 or more; conduct discovery work annually to identify new prospects.
Solicit major gifts ($50,000+) through personal appointments, calls, and correspondence to increase donor contributions.
Serve as an active philanthropic thought‑partner with the dean, maximizing the dean’s participation in fundraising and engagement efforts.
Integrate faculty, students and alumni into development activities and devise short and long‑term donor‑centric strategies.
Develop and implement the annual operating plan for the School of Social Work, coordinating with DAR alumni engagement, leadership annual giving and strategic marketing teams.
Assist in supervising, coaching, motivating and evaluating development staff assigned to the unit.
Collaborate across the university and central teams (planned giving, CFR, principal gifts, etc.) to leverage donor engagement.
Prepare briefing documents for VCU and DAR leadership.
Ensure accurate documentation of donor activity in the RADAR prospect management system.
Coordinate with alumni relations and marketing teams for information dissemination.
Develop, support and evaluate campaign volunteer opportunities; collaborate with central partners on recruitment and training.
Audit internal operations and develop standardized procedures in line with university policies.
Provide guidance on stewardship events and correspondence in coordination with the Office of Donor Relations.
Coordinate central teams on the composing, editing and publishing of fundraising reports.
Manage time and activities to meet annually‑established metrics on prospect/donor engagement and fundraising efficacy.
As a Team Member, You Will
Demonstrate appreciation for VCU’s mission and aspirations.
Commit to organizational success and deliver on responsibilities as a university citizen.
Pursue excellence, high achievement and ongoing professional development.
Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners.
Provide the highest quality service to internal and external communities.
Approach people from all backgrounds with openness and respect.
Complete work accurately and within deadlines, exhibiting a positive attitude and strict confidentiality.
Reflect DAR’s and VCU’s core purpose and values.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Knowledge of fundraising principles, ethics and practices.
Outgoing, positive personality with strong interpersonal skills.
Strong written, oral and data‑analysis skills.
Familiarity with technology, software and digital tools for communication.
Three‑to‑five years of professional fundraising or sales experience, including five‑to‑seven‑figure commitments.
Ability to navigate a complex organization and varied constituencies.
Willingness to travel for donor visits, including overnight trips.
Willingness to collaborate and grow within a high‑performing fundraising team.
Experience fostering respect, professionalism and civility with diverse faculty, staff and students.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related field.
Five or more years of professional fundraising experience, preferably in an academic medical center or higher education setting.
Knowledge or interest in social work.
Demonstrated success securing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts.
Ability to execute goals aligned to a complex, urban university’s mission.
Knowledge of HIPAA regulations.
Experience with grateful patient fundraising.
CFRE certification.
Job Details Unit:
Development MBU
Department:
Campus Development
Salary Range:
$100,000–$120,000 (commensurate with experience)
FLSA Exemption Status:
Exempt
Hours per Week:
40
Restricted Position:
No
ORP Eligible:
Yes
Eligible for sponsorship:
No
Flexible Work Arrangement:
Hybrid; must be within commuting distance to Richmond, VA and available in the office 2–3 days per week.
Seniority level:
Director
Employment type:
Full‑time
Job function:
Other
Industries:
Higher Education
Contact Information Contact Name:
Izzy Kane
Contact Email:
irkane@vcu.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Benefits All full‑time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package, which includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted upfront, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax‑deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well‑being resources, and abundant opportunities for career development and advancement.
Duties & Responsibilities
Lead development and fundraising for the School of Social Work, serving as the primary development officer and strategic fundraising partner to the dean.
Design and measure annual long‑range fundraising plans tied to the school’s strategic needs.
Plan, execute, secure and steward five‑to‑seven‑figure gifts through individual effort by identifying, qualifying and soliciting major or principal gift prospects.
Manage a portfolio of 70–100 top prospects with a giving capacity of $50,000 or more; conduct discovery work annually to identify new prospects.
Solicit major gifts ($50,000+) through personal appointments, calls, and correspondence to increase donor contributions.
Serve as an active philanthropic thought‑partner with the dean, maximizing the dean’s participation in fundraising and engagement efforts.
Integrate faculty, students and alumni into development activities and devise short and long‑term donor‑centric strategies.
Develop and implement the annual operating plan for the School of Social Work, coordinating with DAR alumni engagement, leadership annual giving and strategic marketing teams.
Assist in supervising, coaching, motivating and evaluating development staff assigned to the unit.
Collaborate across the university and central teams (planned giving, CFR, principal gifts, etc.) to leverage donor engagement.
Prepare briefing documents for VCU and DAR leadership.
Ensure accurate documentation of donor activity in the RADAR prospect management system.
Coordinate with alumni relations and marketing teams for information dissemination.
Develop, support and evaluate campaign volunteer opportunities; collaborate with central partners on recruitment and training.
Audit internal operations and develop standardized procedures in line with university policies.
Provide guidance on stewardship events and correspondence in coordination with the Office of Donor Relations.
Coordinate central teams on the composing, editing and publishing of fundraising reports.
Manage time and activities to meet annually‑established metrics on prospect/donor engagement and fundraising efficacy.
As a Team Member, You Will
Demonstrate appreciation for VCU’s mission and aspirations.
Commit to organizational success and deliver on responsibilities as a university citizen.
Pursue excellence, high achievement and ongoing professional development.
Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners.
Provide the highest quality service to internal and external communities.
Approach people from all backgrounds with openness and respect.
Complete work accurately and within deadlines, exhibiting a positive attitude and strict confidentiality.
Reflect DAR’s and VCU’s core purpose and values.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Knowledge of fundraising principles, ethics and practices.
Outgoing, positive personality with strong interpersonal skills.
Strong written, oral and data‑analysis skills.
Familiarity with technology, software and digital tools for communication.
Three‑to‑five years of professional fundraising or sales experience, including five‑to‑seven‑figure commitments.
Ability to navigate a complex organization and varied constituencies.
Willingness to travel for donor visits, including overnight trips.
Willingness to collaborate and grow within a high‑performing fundraising team.
Experience fostering respect, professionalism and civility with diverse faculty, staff and students.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related field.
Five or more years of professional fundraising experience, preferably in an academic medical center or higher education setting.
Knowledge or interest in social work.
Demonstrated success securing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts.
Ability to execute goals aligned to a complex, urban university’s mission.
Knowledge of HIPAA regulations.
Experience with grateful patient fundraising.
CFRE certification.
Job Details Unit:
Development MBU
Department:
Campus Development
Salary Range:
$100,000–$120,000 (commensurate with experience)
FLSA Exemption Status:
Exempt
Hours per Week:
40
Restricted Position:
No
ORP Eligible:
Yes
Eligible for sponsorship:
No
Flexible Work Arrangement:
Hybrid; must be within commuting distance to Richmond, VA and available in the office 2–3 days per week.
Seniority level:
Director
Employment type:
Full‑time
Job function:
Other
Industries:
Higher Education
Contact Information Contact Name:
Izzy Kane
Contact Email:
irkane@vcu.edu
#J-18808-Ljbffr