Associate Director of Philanthropy - College Based (4029)

• Manage a portfolio of 125+ major gift prospects through all stages of the donor lifecycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, closure, and stewardship, with a focus on advancing prospects toward meaningful philanthropic engagement and investment.
• Develop and execute strategic cultivation and solicitation plans to secure major and planned gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Through personalized donor engagement, build meaningful relationships that align donors’ philanthropic interests with university and college priorities, resulting in transformational support for NIU.
• Consistently achieve established fundraising performance metrics, including portfolio activity, donor visits, meaningful contacts, proposals submitted, gifts closed, dollars raised, and pipeline growth.
• Leverage data, prospect insights, and ongoing portfolio analysis to drive fundraising success and maximize philanthropic outcomes.
• Actively identify and qualify new major gift prospects while regularly evaluating the portfolio to ensure time is focused on donors with the greatest potential for philanthropic engagement.

• Identify new opportunities for current and deferred gifts that align donor interests with institutional and college-level priorities.
• Develop and execute individualized fundraising strategies using the moves management approach that are designed to deepen engagement and increase philanthropic investment.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Philanthropy, academic leaders, and Foundation colleagues to develop and execute donor-centered fundraising strategies, including designing significant or complex gift opportunities.
• Prepare gift proposals, pledge documentation, endowed and expendable fund agreements, and other materials that result in successful solicitations.
• Partner with donor relations to create tailored stewardship strategies and ensure timely preparation of expendable and endowment fund agreements, and pledge documentation.

• Participate in the development and execution of the college’s annual advancement plan, helping to establish fundraising priorities, identify philanthropic opportunities, and implement strategies that drive donor engagement, portfolio growth, and revenue generation.
• Develop strong working relationships with deans, department chairs, faculty, and other academic leaders to understand college and departmental priorities, identify potential donors, and develop philanthropic opportunities that support those priorities.
• Engage donors through strategic one-to-one meetings, campus visits, events, volunteer opportunities, and stewardship activities.
• Act as a trusted Foundation partner to assigned college(s), departments, centers, and programs, fostering collaborative relationships that strengthen donor engagement, enhance stewardship efforts, and support sustainable philanthropic growth.

• Maintain sound portfolio health, including timely documentation of donor interactions and visits, and maintaining the integrity of donor, pipeline, and portfolio data in the Foundation’s relationship management system (ARC).
• Collaborate with prospect research and development teams to build and maintain a healthy portfolio of major gift prospects.
• Utilize prospect research, analytics, and fundraising data to prioritize opportunities, evaluate progress, and inform decision-making.
• Monitor portfolio performance and adjust strategies to ensure achievement of fundraising goals.
• Represent the University and the NIU Foundation at University and college events, as well as community, volunteer and professional organizations.

1. Bachelor’s degree.
2. One of the following:
   • Three years (3) of experience with successful major gift solicitation;
   • Three (3) years of transferable experience within a fundraising or alumni relations office.
3. Experience working within a matrixed organizational structure where performance responsibilities are evaluated in different divisions.
4. Experience in enterprise systems for event and scheduling management.
5. Knowledge and experience in development and alumni relations fields.

1. Demonstrable commitment to the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct in accordance with the CASE Statement of Ethics, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles and Standards, and The Donor Bill of Rights. (Membership is not required.)
2. Deep, personal commitment to diversity in all forms, the recognition of all individuals to mutual respect, and the acceptance of others without biases.
3. Demonstrable commitment to leading by example, modeling diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the university.
4. Demonstrably strong work ethic and entrepreneurial mentality.
5. A high level of integrity, focus, and commitment to achieve ambitious goals is essential.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, colleagues, and university leadership.
7. Self-motivated (a “self-starter”); innovative and ability to work with considerable independence within the context of a team environment and a network of relationships.
8. Superior written and oral communication, negotiating, organizational, analytical and fundraising skills, including the ability to interpret financial information and manage data.
9. Familiarity with the “moves management” approach to major gift fundraising.
10. A flexible attitude and clear ability to modify and adapt as situations arise.
11. Ability and desire to engage in face-to-face relationship activities, primarily through the scheduling of one-on-one appointments with donor prospects who have never been engaged with NIU.
12. Ability and willingness to travel to meet donors and prospects in their homes and offices.
13. Business proficiency in Microsoft Office Word, Access, and Excel, including the tabulation of budget figures, creation of scenario planning tools and merging files.
14. Familiarity with fundraising tools.
15. Knowledge of computerized systems of donor record keeping, data tracking of prospects, and donors.
16. Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
17. Excellent attention to detail.
18. The ability to synthesize multiple sources of information.
19. Ability and willingness to travel and to work extra hours, nights and weekends to ensure the job is done exceptionally well.
20. Ability to work autonomously, and to think critically and strategically; capable of taking responsibility for specific goals within designated time frames.
21. Capable of coordinating multi-task initiatives to a successful conclusion.
22. A flexible attitude and clear ability to modify and adapt as situations and conditions change, as well as a resilience about the rigors of public higher education and the increasing pressure of resource constraints.
23. A proven ability to build strong relationships anchored in trust and integrity.

• Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in a collegiate environment.
• Capital campaign experience in higher education is highly desirable.
• Commitment to the ideals and culture of higher education.
• The ability to effectively work in a group/team environment to assist intra-divisional initiatives.

• Travel is required for this position.
• Use of a personal vehicle is required.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee frequently is required to stand for long periods of time; walk; use fingers and hands to feel, grasp, operate or handle objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• Must be able to lift and carry 20 lbs. regularly.

• Cover Letter – Please include your interest in employment with NIU and how your previous experiences position you for success in the role for which you are applying.
• Current Resume
• List of Three current Professional References, including name, email address, and phone number.
• Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for initial review of application; official copies required to confirm appointment).

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.