Associate Director Of Development, Performing Arts At Iowa

The University of Iowa is one of America’s premier public research universities. Known for its excellence in both the arts and sciences, Iowa granted the nation's first MFA degrees and is home to globally recognized programs in the study and craft of writing as well as an acclaimed academic medical center. The University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA) works to support the University of Iowa through engagement and philanthropy and is seeking an AssociateDirector of Development to join the Performing Arts at Iowa development team.

Performing Arts at Iowa is the shared brand of the Departments of Dance, Theatre Arts, the School of Music, Hancher, and the Performing Arts Production Unit. The vision for this group of campus units is to lead the University to become a greater destination for Performing Arts. By jointly investing in an ecosystem that fosters artistic practice and enjoyment for students, faculty, staff, community members, and residents of the State of Iowa, these units envision a future where Iowa is a destination of first choice for those who care about the Performing Arts.

The Associate Director of Development is integral to future fundraising success and will join this team as its second frontline fundraiser. They will be responsible for, in collaboration with campus leaders and the Executive Director, developing and executing an ambitious endowment fundraising strategy, strengthening and establishing new donor engagement and giving opportunities, and creating a first-in-class major gift fundraising program for Performing Arts at Iowa. This position reports directly to the Executive Director, Performing Arts at Iowa at the University of Iowa Center for Advancement and works closely with UICA colleagues and campus leadership, staff, and donors. Expected travel is 25-50%.

*Position allows for some telecommuting/work from home depending upon business need and leader approval. Office is located in Iowa City, IA.

Job Description:

Advances the University of Iowa (UI) and the initiatives of the assigned unit by building and managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and moving those prospects through the steps of an established process of donor engagement, collaborating with other UI Center for Advancement (UICA) fundraisers as needed. Maintains strong relationships with three assigned Performing Arts campus partners and understanding of those programs and funding priorities. Serves as a trusted philanthropic advisor, educating donors about giving opportunities that would enable them to achieve their desired impact on the University of Iowa and beyond.

Identification
• Works with Prospect Management staff to identify prospects (based on capacity, giving history, and affiliation) from among pools that may include alumni, fans, patients, or other supporters of the university
• Works with Prospect Management staff and supervisor to develop strategy for managing prospects
• Efficiently conducts proactive outreach calls and messages in order to secure face-to-face qualification meetings
• Provides input and support for the implementation of engagement events and referral programs designed to build long-term relationships and attract major gifts
• Conducts all activities, particularly those involving patient data, according to established laws, policies, procedures, and standards and with the full support of UICA, UI, and UI Hospitals and Clinics as relevant

Qualification
• Manages qualification pool of potential major gift prospects with the goal of maintaining a continuous pipeline of donors capable of making gifts of $50,000+
• Manages leadership annual giving (Partners) relationships for Hancher specifically in partnership with the program coordinator
• Uses active listening and structured questioning to validate prospect’s capacity and inclination and understand strength of affinity
• Uses gathered information to determine whether prospects should be disqualified or moved into the portfolio (consulting with supervisor as needed)
• Serves as a trusted philanthropic advisor, using transparent communication and educating donors about the giving process

Cultivation
• Manages portfolio of active major gift prospects and develops their readiness to advance
• Manages portfolio of leadership annual givers and develops their readiness to advance
• Builds travel plans demonstrating judicious use of time and resources, including strategic meetings with active prospects and additional qualification and stewardship meetings
• Develops and implements donor-centric cultivation strategies with input from colleagues and supervisor
• Manages deliberate sequence of interactions with each prospect, intended to build engagement and move them through the steps of an established donor engagement process
• Maintains knowledge of funding priorities within and beyond assigned unit, consulting with UICA colleagues and campus partners as needed
• Facilitates prospects’ decision-making process; helps them understand next steps and articulate the link between their personal objectives and institutional priorities
• Maintains knowledge needed to facilitate solicitation of planned gifts and obtains expert consultation when required

Negotiation
• Meets expectations for solicitations, gifts closed, and average gift size (goals established annually with the supervisor in alignment with organization-wide metrics)
• Knows where prospects fall in the donor engagement process and plans next steps accordingly
• Identifies meaningful ways for donor to achieve their desired impact while meeting funding needs, consulting with colleagues as needed
• Employs communication tools and prepares appropriately for meetings in order to achieve stated objectives for each step of the process
• Ensures documentation reflects donor intent and sets expectations for recognition and stewardship

Stewardship
• Develops, implements, and participates in appropriate stewardship activities (e.g., acknowledgement letters, publicity events) for donors as relevant, working with stewardship staff as needed
• Maintains integrity of constituent database through timely submittal of stewardship plans and contact reports for all significant interactions

Constituent Management
• Develops strategies to identify donors and increase private gift support for the unit
• Maintains comprehensive understanding of unit’s programs and priorities and communicates them clearly to others
• Supports unit programs and events and coordinates special projects related to fundraising for unit priorities
• Maintains strong relationships with campus partners as well as external groups with ties to the unit
• Prepares partners as necessary for donor meetings and guides their participation in the giving conversation and donor engagement process
• Collaborates with Corporate and Foundation Relations staff as relevant to identify and cultivate corporate and foundation gift prospects for assigned unit
• Partners with communications staff on the development of fundraising materials for assigned units including mailings, brochures, donor recognition, reports, etc.

Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of related experience required, preferably in a fundraising, nonprofit, or higher education setting