Primary Purpose

The Senior Assistant Dean for Development is responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive development program within the College of the Pacific, the oldest and largest academic unit, at University of the Pacific, and will focus on major gift development, alumni relations, outreach, and communication with prospective and current donors. This position serves as a key member of University Development’s fundraising team and shares responsibility for leading the strategic direction of selected Pacific fundraising initiatives.

The Senior Assistant Dean works closely with the College of the Pacific Dean, faculty and staff, and the University Development and Alumni Relations team across Pacific’s three-city university campuses. The position is responsible for securing philanthropic major gift support at the $50,000+ level. The Senior Assistant Dean of Development must have a demonstrated track record of success in developing, leading, and managing fundraising initiatives and donor relationships. This is a high-profile role that requires a professional with excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to working collaboratively with teams and stakeholders.

Essential Functions

• Provides strategic leadership in developing multi-year strategy, solicitation and cultivation plans for major gift prospects as they relate to College of the Pacific’s campaign and ongoing academic fundraising initiatives.
• Secures support, enhances relationships and promotes awareness for Pacific in the following ways:
• Solicits gifts of $50,000+ from alumni and friends through implementation of cultivation and solicitation strategies for major gift prospects.
• Works with administration, faculty and volunteers across the three-city university campuses.
• Ensures the identification, recruitment and oversight of the Dean’s council and related volunteer boards.
• Serves as the College’s liaison to annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, principal gifts and planned giving, to facilitate major gift coordination for special projects which may require integrated gift structures.
• Assists to direct a major gift program that includes alumni and friend giving, including aligned donor stewardship related to the University’s strategic needs and priorities.
• Responsible for developing and executing an annual business plan to secure philanthropic gifts.
• Develops and actively manages a prospect portfolio of 125 major gift prospects that have the ability to make major gifts.
• Ensure portfolio is evenly distributed among identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship stages.
• Conducts in-person cultivation and solicitation activities through face-to-face meetings for prospect and donor development and to achieve annual fundraising and metrics goals.
• Ensures maximum private support for the University by providing strong leadership and adhering to performance measures, and integrates a philosophy of collaboration and communication with the development team.
• Assists in creating an inspirational philanthropic culture both college-wide and outside of Pacific, by increasing visibility and value of the University among the community and professional organizations.
• Oversees and monitors budget for development activities.
• Works within the framework of the Prospect Management Program and Pacific Gift Policies, and utilizes the advancement database to record development activities.
• Participates in University and College of the Pacific events that involve external constituents to engage in development activities.
• Provides strategic guidance and advice to the Dean to facilitate prospect and donor engagement in key school initiatives.
• Writes concept papers, proposals, grants and reports as needed.
• Works independently as well as collaboratively with University Development, academic faculty and staff to achieve defined goals for each academic unit.
• Takes initiative to organize and follow through with complex tasks to meet deadlines.
• Uses knowledge of major gift fundraising principles and has ability to participate in a complex development program, especially within an educational organization.
• Leads, manage and motivates staff and volunteers.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as requested by the Assistant Vice President for Development.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty and staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Seven (7) years of experience in fundraising and/or alumni relations.
• Prior success raising major gifts of $25,000+

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of successful experience raising major gifts of $50,000+ using fundraising best practices.
• Master’s Degree.
• Professional certification in relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience fundraising in a higher education setting.
• Intermediate skills to use a personal computer and computer software programs. and proven ability to use MS Office Suite, Email, calendaring systems and database programs.
• Knowledge and/or experience working in a complex liberal arts and sciences academic unit.
• Ability to articulate the value of a liberal arts education.
• Knowledge of the fundraising and development environment.
• Strong verbal communication, writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Understanding of linkages between multiple academic units aligned by accelerated degree programs leading from undergraduate to graduate study degree completion and specialty certification levels.
• Encompass traits of good judgment, confidentiality and discretion in communicating with colleagues and constituents.
• Positive attitude, proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion.
• Skills to integrate broad-reaching and diverse academic programs into development strategies.
• Understanding of linkages between multiple academic units aligned by accelerated degree programs leading from undergraduate to graduate study degree completion and specialty certification levels.
• Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
• Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty and staff.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requires extended periods of sitting and repetitive hand/wrist motion while using computer keyboard and phone. Frequent standing, walking across campus, climbing stairs, bending, stooping and reaching. Constant verbal and written communication. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment/Work Week/Travel:
Work is frequently performed in a standard office environment with use of computer and phone. Must be prepared to work non-business hours and weekends. Frequent travel both local and overnight. Frequent use of laptops and mobile devices to access data while traveling.

Valid driver’s license required. Incumbent must also be able to meet the University’s fleet rules and be eligible to drive for University business. The University and its insurance carrier reserves the right to exclude applicants based on their driving record.

Hiring Range

$105,000 – $115,000 per year. We consider factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s qualifications, internal equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Background Check Statement

All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening.

AA/EEO Policy Statement

University of the Pacific is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity. In compliance with applicable law and its own policy, Pacific is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff and does not discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability.

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