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Following a record-breaking year for University Advancement, Chapman University seeks an Associate Director of Development to play a key role in building and advancing a best-in-class major gifts program.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Development, the Associate Director of Development serves as a major gift officer and primary point of contact for assigned deans and campus leaders. The position will manage an established portfolio of prospects and donors capable of making major gifts to Chapman University, with responsibility for advancing relationships through discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Working closely with deans and campus leaders, the Associate Director will help connect donor interests with institutional priorities, support philanthropic board development when appropriate, and travel regionally to engage alumni, parents, donors, and friends of the institution.

Annual fundraising goals and performance metrics will be established by University Advancement senior leadership and reviewed annually in collaboration with the Associate Vice President, Development and the Vice President of Development.

The successful candidate will be a donor-centered, relationship-driven fundraiser who demonstrates sound judgment, initiative, professionalism, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to Chapman University’s mission, values, and community. The ideal candidate will thrive in an entrepreneurial environment and bring energy, creativity, and discipline to building meaningful donor relationships.

This position works collaboratively with colleagues across University Advancement, including Corporate and Foundation Relations, Legacy Planning, Donor Relations, Prospect Research and Management, Annual Giving, Constituent Engagement, Special Events, and Advancement Systems and Operations, to develop and execute integrated donor-engagement and fundraising strategies.

Responsibilities

FUNDRAISING AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

• Serve as a front-line major gift officer responsible for discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects and donors capable of making major gifts to Chapman University
• Manage an established portfolio of approximately 120-150 prospects and donors, with a focus on building and maintaining a healthy, active portfolio,
• Strengthen relationships with current prospects and donors while identifying and qualifying new prospects.
• Advance donor-centered conversations that connect donor interests with Chapman University’s institutional priorities.
• Develop and implement individualized strategies to move prospects through the gift cycle, in partnership with University Advancement leadership and Prospect Research and Management.
• Prepare and present formal fundraising proposals to donors and prospects. Collaborate with University Advancement colleagues to close gifts and pledge agreements.
• Travel regionally to meet with alumni, parents, donors, and friends of the institution in support of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Engage assigned prospects and donors in appropriate university events and programs when doing so supports donor cultivation, solicitation, or stewardship.
• Meet or exceed monthly and annual goals for fundraising activity, including visits, substantive moves, proposals, solicitations, and dollars raised.
• Utilize the university’s CRM and moves-management system to document donor activity, maintain accurate records, and advance prospects through the gift cycle.
• In collaboration with Prospect Research and Management, prepare and review development reports to evaluate progress toward goals.
• Work effectively with diverse constituents within and external to the university.
• Learn and follow all applicable policies, rules, laws, and regulations, including FERPA. Consult with University Advancement leadership and Donor Relations/Gift Administration colleagues as needed.

LIAISON TO DEANS AND CAMPUS LEADERS

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned deans and campus leaders on major gift strategy and donor-related activity.
• Work closely with deans, campus leaders, and faculty to support donor conversations aligned with institutional priorities.
• Identify appropriate opportunities to involve deans, faculty, campus leaders, and University Advancement leadership in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Help prepare deans and campus leaders for donor meetings, visits, events, and other interactions with prospects and donors.
• When appropriate, support philanthropic board development in partnership with deans, campus leaders, and University Advancement colleagues.
• Maintain regular communication with assigned deans and campus leaders to ensure coordination, alignment, and follow-through on donor-related activity.

ADVANCEMENT COLLABORATION AND STEWARDSHIP

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across University Advancement, including Corporate and Foundation Relations, Legacy Planning, Donor Relations, Prospect Research and Management, Annual Giving, Constituent Engagement, Special Events, and Advancement Systems and Operations, to develop and execute integrated donor-engagement and fundraising strategies.
• Collaborate with Donor Relations and Gift Administration to develop appropriate stewardship strategies for assigned donors.
• Provide personalized and customized stewardship opportunities for donors in coordination with University Advancement colleagues and campus partners.
• Collaborate with Advancement Systems and Operations to update donor information and support donor stewardship.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum three years of experience in donor cultivation, personal solicitation of major gifts, donor stewardship, prospect management, and/or volunteer management.
• Demonstrated understanding of institutional advancement strategies and the major gift cycle.
• Experience forming meaningful, long-term relationships with donors, prospects, alumni, parents, and other constituents; excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate persuasively, both orally and in writing, about private gift fundraising.
• Strong analytical skills to think strategically, evaluate and understand data, identify opportunities, develop appropriate solutions, achieve goals, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with flexibility and adaptability to changing deadlines and urgent priorities.
• Strong organizational and portfolio-management skills, with proven ability to manage prospects and maintain a results-oriented approach.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and exercise discretion and sound judgment.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare, monitor, and reconcile budgets and expenses.
• Ability and commitment to provide strong personalized service and teamwork. Ability to supervise, manage, and work with students, if necessary.
• Computer skills utilizing Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Strong technical skills to learn and use enterprise systems, the university’s CRM, and other databases needed for the position.
• Strong ability to pay careful attention to detail.
• Knowledge and skill to assist in the development and design of gift proposals and stewardship materials.
• Familiarity with, or ability to learn and implement, all applicable policies, rules, laws, and regulations, including FERPA.

Chapman University is a nationally ranked institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. The university achieved R2 status in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a distinction held by just 10 percent of all U.S. universities.

Chapman University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status or sexual orientation in the administration of its education policies or any other policies or programs administered by the university.