University Job Title: Development Officer - Principal/Major Gifts
Bargaining Unit: None - Not included in the union (Yale Union Group)
Time Type: Full time
Duration Type: Regular
Compensation Grade: development
Compensation Grade Profile: Development Officer (Ungraded)
Work Location: Central Campus
Worksite Address:157 Church Street New Haven, CT 06510
Work Week: Standard (M-F equal number of hours per day)
Searchable Job Family: Development
Total # of hours to be worked: 37.5

Position Focus:

Reporting to the Director of International Development, the International Development Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting or arranging for the solicitation of gifts of $250,000 and above from individuals and private foundations abroad, with a special ability to travel to Western Europe and focus on the United Kingdom/London region, as well as being versatile and willing to travel to other areas and work with donors from other regions as needed, such as Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Serves as an expert on international fundraising topics relevant for the Yale community in the officer’s assigned regions and works closely with faculty and volunteers, potentially managing one or more advisory councils.

The position is based in the Yale Development office in New Haven and requires travel in the assigned territory at least eight times per year.

The Officer will manage a portfolio of 150 principal and major gift prospects and develop long-term relationships to identify and cultivate prospects’ interests in Yale, undertake at least 15 solicitations per year of at least $100,000, and personally staff and document at least 120 face-to-face donor meetings per year.

The Officer will build relationships with potential donors for self, the President, the Vice President, supervisor and others at the University, travel frequently to meet donors and prospects, and staff campus visits; must be flexible and able to work with prospects from any part of the world, and be available to travel and prepare to send faculty where the best potential donors can be most effectively cultivated.

The Officer will raise gifts for university purposes, cross-disciplinary priorities, or designated for a specific area of Yale. This position actively engages in establishing a greater Yale presence with principal and major gift donors and prospects around the world and assists the Director in covering the world: working effectively with faculty, staff and volunteers. The Officer may also manage organized regional volunteer activities related to the capital campaign that is in its silent phase.
 
The Officer will be curious and knowledgeable about the portfolios and operations of the entire team. During the course of fundraising work, the Officer is responsible for engaging with a variety of individuals including volunteers, alumni, friends, faculty, university officers and staff outside Yale.
 
Key responsibilities call for the Officer to:

Assume responsibility for all aspects of principal, major and planned gift fundraising from alumni, parents and friends in Western Europe and other assigned regions. Work closely with development and university leadership, supervisor and colleagues in schools across campus on prospect identification, strategy, solicitation and stewardship.

Work with alumni, parents and friends and their advisors, and lead behind the scenes efforts through high-level volunteers, both external and internal to the University; collaborate with other staff, academic leaders and faculty to develop gift ideas and strategies and foster productive relationships for Yale.

Provide support for university leaders, faculty and volunteers and accompany them on calls, as appropriate; serve as a primary resource to all university development programs in Western Europe, and other areas as needed.

Actively maintain a current body of knowledge about Yale, its development priorities and international giving vehicles and protocols; develop a thorough understanding of the programs and aspirations of Yale’s schools, colleges, and the other large units where major and principal gift fundraising is needed.

The following Essential Duties are generic in nature. Applicants will find the information in this Position Focus to be most relevant.

Dept/Section URLClick here for more information

Essential Duties

1. Develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of prospects and donors. Builds and manages network of relationships with prospective donors involving University administrators and faculty. Facilitates and coordinates all communication with these prospects and among the prospect’s campus relationships. Promotes positive relations with these prospects and donors.
2. Evaluates various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommends the most suitable for a particular donor.
3. Interacts with internal contacts such as Deans, Directors, Faculty, Officers, and other Development staff to consult on University needs, to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement with the University and to identify potential donors.
4. Assist with the strategy for and creation of written communications from various University administrators appropriate to a donor’s interests.
5. Typically participates (often in concert with others) in gift solicitations to fund University programs and to enhance the development efforts of the Schools and departments.
6. May travel (possibly extensively) commensurate with Yale’s standard expectations for fundraising activity, contact and travel. May involve international travel depending upon prospect assignments.
7. Performs additional development-related activities/efforts at the request of manager.
8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and a minimum of four years of experience in fundraising or a related field, preferably in higher education or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience working with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Exceptional oral and written communication skills with emphasis on writing. Ability to communicate with a broad range of individuals. Ability to present complex information in a clear and compelling manner in writing and in person. Ability to document meetings, write briefings, proposals and stewardship reports.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Ability and willingness to travel extensively. Demonstrated success in producing trips for self and others, including ability to set itineraries and arrange meetings and travel logistics. A passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Successful experience staffing senior institutional leaders, especially the President, Deans and faculty. Ability to effectively leverage the time of senior volunteers and academic and administrative staff in contacts with donors including strong preparation and good judgment about the extent to which cultivation can effectively be staff driven.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Demonstrated success in relationship-based fundraising including cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gifts. Demonstrated success in working with volunteers and advisory boards to solicit alumni, parents and especially friends without a previous connection to Yale.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Bachelor’s degree in a related international field and at least five years of experience in an international setting. Spanish or French proficiency. Personal or professional experience working with people of diverse cultural backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to intercultural sensitivity.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:

Valid driver’s license.

Weekend Hours Required? Occasional
Evening Hours Required? Occasional
Drug Screen: No
Health Screening: No

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. Please visit www.yale.edu/hronline/careers/screening/faqs.html for additional information on the background check requirements and process.

Additional Background or Health Screening Requirements

Selected incumbent must have successful completion of a DMV check and a valid driver’s license.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

Affirmative Action Statement:

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.

Note: Yale University is a tobacco-free campus