Associate Director Development

The University Advancement Division (UA) is a comprehensive development and alumni engagement enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 200 FTE. Functional units within UA include development/fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship and donor relations, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management and infrastructure services. UA's mission is to build strong relationships with Tufts University's constituents, match donor interests with the University's needs and priorities, and secure the financial resources necessary for Tufts to achieve excellence in teaching, research and scholarship. The division is strongly committed to serving the academic agenda of the University and to creating a culture of philanthropy in the extended Tufts community. Integrity, collegiality, diversity, accountability, mutual trust and respect for the individual as well as the intentions of our donors are the values that guide the work of the division. Tufts successfully completed its $1.5B Campaign, Brighter World on June 30, 2023. On July 1, 2023, the University welcomed Sunil Kumar as its 14^th President.

The Fletcher School at Tufts University

Located on Tufts University's Campus in Medford, Massachusetts, The Fletcher School remains true to its mission, educating leaders and advancing solutions to complex global challenges through government, business and civil society. Students develop a worldwide perspective that empowers them to become responsible and effective experts in international affairs. A multidisciplinary approach is woven into the fabric of The Fletcher School. It actively seeks out differing perspectives, cultures, and experiences critical to understanding the issues encompassing today's world. The School is renowned for its valuable library and distinguished faculty.

The Fletcher School's Office of Development and Alumni Engagement serves the School by maximizing resources from friends, alumni, parents, and corporate and foundation partners in support of the school's academic, alumni engagement and fundraising priorities. Specifically, the office raises, current use, capital funds and planned gifts to meet the school's current and future needs.

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Associate Director of Development will develop and implement strategic fundraising plans and activities in support of the Fletcher School priorities. The Associate Director will collaborate with colleagues working in major gifts, annual giving, gift planning, and corporate and foundation relations to assess appropriate cultivation strategies for qualified prospects. She/he will work independently, as well as with fundraising volunteers, faculty, dean, and university leadership to further cultivate, solicit, and steward qualified prospects.

The Associate Director will manage a portfolio consisting of 100+ individuals (friends, alumni, and parents) identified by the UA Prospect Development team and in conjunction with the Director through other leads as possible gift prospects. She/he will be charged with scheduling face-to-face meetings and visiting prospects in select regions throughout the country. She/he will document all meeting outcomes in the University Advancement database and working with the Director and other senior staff members in the division, determine the appropriate next steps for each individual.

The Associate Director will be expected to contribute to the successful achievement of school and university fundraising goals by qualifying and disqualifying new prospects, and by securing leadership annual gifts as well as endowment and current use major gifts ($100,000+).

Portfolio Management and Prospect Qualification, Cultivation and Solicitation

• Qualify potential major gift prospects as identified through the Office of Prospect Development. Cultivate and solicit a segment of qualified major gift prospects emerging from this
• Maintain an active portfolio of 100+ prospects, with emphasis on high-end annual gifts and capital gifts of $100,000 or more, from Fletcher School alumni, parents, and
• Secure in-person visits to gain an in-depth understanding of the prospect pool by asking relevant strategic questions and employing active listening skills qualifying or disqualifying prospects, as
• Travel to assigned geographic regions (including the West Coast) to visit prospects and host prospects on
• Using information learned through prospect interactions, develop, and implement strategic cultivation strategies working independently or in concert with the Director.
• Develop and implement thoughtful prospect solicitation strategies based on information learned through prospect visits; actively solicit 5 and 6-figure annual and capital gifts in accordance with fiscal year metrics established by the
• Prepare written materials including briefing documents for volunteer leaders and school leadership as appropriate, acknowledgments, proposals, and other routine
• Meet ambitious metrics for prospect visits and proposals submitted and closed each year in consultation with supervisor.
• Execute detailed and timely summaries of all prospect interactions which clearly outline progress made toward qualification/disqualification and/or strategies for future cultivation and
• Represent the school at regional and on-campus
• May include managing a targeted fundraising

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills typically acquired through a bachelor's degree.
• 5-7 years of experience in major gifts, sales or relationship management; experience in higher-ed is preferred.
• Proven track record of structuring proposals and securing major gifts.
• Knowledge and experience with philanthropic terms and practices; experience with planned gifts preferred.
• Advanced interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong desire to work as a member of a team to promote the best outcomes for the School and its donors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to function and execute the job functions with minimal supervision.
• Travel and availability to represent The Fletcher School at University events is required.