Job Summary

The Director of Development, Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) is a member of the Institutional Advancement (IA) team assigned to develop philanthropic resources for the PCO. This position will play a central role in major gift fundraising and contribute to the enhancement of leadership annual giving and major gift support. The Director of Development reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development for Nursing, Health Professions and Public Health and does not have supervisory responsibilities.

This is a hybrid position with requirements to be on the Salus/Elkins Park campus at least 2 times per week and once a month at the Drexel University main campus and as needed. Candidates must be local to the greater Philadelphia area.

Essential Functions

• Secures leadership annual gifts and major gifts with an emphasis on developing future major donors by pursuing the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private support from individuals for the PCO.
• Builds and manages a steadily evolving portfolio of prospects.
• Maintains an active schedule of face-to-face meetings with leadership annual fund donors and major gift suspects and prospects.
• Works with corporate sponsors and faculty members to secure programmatic funding.
• Travels as needed to manage donors in assigned geographic territories throughout the country.
• Identifies and moves high level annual giving donors to the major gift pool, helping to grow and feed the donor pipeline.
• Coordinates with the Assistant Vice President in identifying and working with key volunteers to establish and strengthen College advisory board.
• Coordinates with the Assistant Vice President and the central Institutional Advancement team to develop an annual fund plan that fosters activities that contribute to a culture of philanthropy.
• Stewards donors through ongoing communications, recognition activities, invitations to key events, and interaction with beneficiaries of their support.
• Serves as front line staff to promote University priorities, goals and objectives to constituents. 
• Maintains current knowledge of university-wide institutional priorities.
• As appropriate, and with the knowledge of the Assistant Vice President, qualifies, cultivates and solicits prospects on behalf of other campus units.
• Adheres to performance goals and standards for development officers as specified by the Office of Institutional Advancement. 
• Represent the College and Office at national conferences throughout the year.
• Follows Institutional Advancement procedures regarding prospect management and documenting contacts.
• Responsible for oversight and submission of all relative fundraising reports, statistics, projections and publications.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 5 years of successful experience in development.
• Experience with direct solicitation of 5- and 6- figure gifts from individuals.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently across the country.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.
• Strong ability to work independently and under limited supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent administrative skills.
• Valid Driver's License and ability to drive extensively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.
• Experience working with higher education and/or healthcare fundraising.
• Familiarity with planned giving concepts and experience in soliciting planned gifts.
• Experience working with senior-level executives.
• Knowledge of prospect management systems such as CS Advance.

Location

• Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade N. Compensation for this grade ranges from $90,430.00 - $135,640 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

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