Now Hiring - Vanderbilt University - Discovery Officer - Assistant Director of Development in Nashville, TN
Discovery Officer - Assistant Director of Development in Nashville, TN
Benefits:
yesLocation:
Nashville, TNFull description of the position
The Assistant Director of Development is part of the Discovery Team and is a road warrior role responsible for a high-volume of prospect discovery, qualification, and solicitation across the country. This team is fast-paced, collaborative, and impact-driven; its strategic priority is to rapidly strengthen Vanderbilt’s donor pipeline and raise funds for all areas and priorities in the short-term while investing in long-term relationship building with prospects to build the foundation for future campaigns. This is an entry-level, externally facing front-line fundraising role which serves as a training ground for gift officers for schools and units and prioritizes a holistic approach toward staff development.
About the Work Unit:
The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Execute a national strategy to discover and qualify as many prospects as possible.
- Conduct 30 discovery visits quarterly to qualify prospects for capacity and affinity
- Travel 2-3 times per month to a portfolio of regions in the continental United States
- Identify prospects with the ability to make a major, planned, or principal gift to VU
- Hand-off active referrals to school/unit fundraising teams and work collaboratively with regional and school/unit gift officers on strategies for a targeted region
- Devise, develop, and test different outreach strategies to increase contact rates and visits, leveraging email, text messaging, phone calls, and LinkedIn
- Leverage visits and prospect relationships to identify new leads and tap new personal networks
Raise funds for all schools, units, and priorities by soliciting gifts of $2,500, $25,000, and higher.
- Conduct 5 visits quarterly to solicit new commitments of $25,000 and higher
- Solicit all prospects for leadership annual gifts of $2,500+ and multi-year commitments with strategies to upgrade
- Work collaboratively with planned giving staff for new bequests and other blended gifts
- Steward donors with thoughtful updates and personalized attention throughout the year
Actively participate in professional development, training, developing yourself as a VU fundraiser.
- Champion a generalist mindset to be informed and comfortable discussing schools, units, centers, and priorities across the university with stories, examples, and engaging content
- Hone fundraising pitches and conversational tactics using open-ended conversation, thoughtful follow-up, and mission-centric messaging to engage prospects in VU’s philanthropic goals
- Participate fully in professional development opportunities, including informal mentorship and more formalized onboarding and training programs through the Development and Alumni Relations Academy
- Seek continuous improvement and learning across job functions and external activities from prospect outreach, discovery visits, crafting intentional conversations, making asks, and managing follow-up
Contribute to an outcome-driven team .
- Measure individual performance and growth through a personalized gift officer scorecard with clear goals and real-time tracking; benefit from a performance-based bonus model annually
- Embrace a positive work-culture with the goal of balancing travel, in-office days, and flexible work arrangements
- Support colleagues on the team and throughout the organization to meet their goals, share fundraising credit, and collaborate on prospects with multiple affiliations and interests
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports to the Executive Director, Discovery Team and Leadership Annual Giving.
Education and Certifications:
- Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary
Experience and Skills:
- One year of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is necessary and an interest in front line development/fundraising work is desired
- Willingness and ability to connect, engage, and directly solicit prospects
- Passion for making connections and having conversations daily with new people; driven to meet high-volume metrics with urgency and to make an impact
- Energized through social interactions and comfortable with making direct asks of alumni and having purposeful conversations that build relationships and have an impact on goals and metrics
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employees
- Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information
- Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system
- Value of the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville , Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:
- Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt .
- Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self , while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
- Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
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Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.Vanderbilt University
5001 to 10000 Employees
1873
Colleges & Universities
Education
www.vanderbilt.edu
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Vanderbilt University
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Vanderbilt University
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