Lead Development Officer

Lead Development Officer, VCUarts

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts (VCUarts) seeks a dynamic, deeply experienced Lead Development Officer who will create and execute the planning and implementation of all VCUarts’ development and alumni activities. The high caliber Lead Development Officer will be charged with the creation and execution of a strategic advancement plan that will position the School to leverage its national reputation and rankings to address funding priorities and achieve short- and long-term fundraising goals. This is a pivotal time in the School’s history as it welcomes a new Dean with an ambitious agenda who will guide VCUarts on a forward-thinking path to academic and student excellence and sustainable success.

Key Responsibilities

The Lead Development Officer will be highly organized, focused on achieving individual giving and institutional fundraising goals and driving all major gift activity for the school. They will manage a portfolio of donors that includes current and previous donors as well as new prospects, cultivating and stewarding their interest and involvement in the Arts to result in not only expanded, but also increased levels of giving.

The Lead Development Officer will report jointly to the Dean of the School of the Arts, who also serves as the Special Assistant to the Provost for VCUarts Qatar, and to the Associate Vice President of Development for the Monroe Park Campus. The Lead Development Officer will inspire and manage the development team members around a shared vision for the School’s long-term success. The Lead Development Officer will provide guidance and leadership to the School’s development team to ensure an inclusive and appreciative workplace that values experience and new ideas

In addition to management and administrative duties, the Lead Development Officer will personally maintain a select portfolio of high-level prospects and donors capable of giving at the major and principal gift levels.

Qualifications and Experience

Qualified candidates will have at least five years of senior development and fundraising experience with demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure major individual and legacy gifts. As an experienced and successful fundraiser, the Lead Development Officer will have a proven ability to achieve revenue goals while being cognizant of best practices, trends, and innovations in the development arena. Candidates will also have depth and breadth of knowledge in strategic advancement, membership programs, annual fund giving, and prospect research. Leading candidates will be technologically savvy and possess knowledge of and interest in emerging trends in securing philanthropic support. The Lead Development Officer will demonstrate evidence of significant, substantial, and increasing responsibility in a senior development role within a higher education, cultural non-profit and/or social action organization is required. Candidates must also demonstrate strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Procedure for Candidacy

Learn more about the position and apply through the VCU job site at: https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/103757 .

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