Special Instructions to Applicants: 

To be considered for the Director of Development - Parents and Families opportunity at Rice University, please submit your resume and cover letter in confidence to Paradigm Advancement Group at david@paradigmadvancementgroup.com with the subject line: Director of Development - Parents and Families at Rice University.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Director of Development – Parents and Families will be a strategic leader within Rice University’s Development Office and will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects for a regional portfolio, with a focus on parents of current and former students who are capable of making gifts at the $100K to $4.9M level. Additionally, the Director of Development – Parents and Families will oversee specific constituent fundraising and volunteer management, leveraging these relationships to enhance fundraising efforts, and will play a crucial role in achieving the university’s fundraising goals by developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure significant financial support. The role will require extensive travel and will involve building a strategic plan for the region, integrating cultivation of prospects by the President, Provost, Deans and other high-level partners.

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial quick starter with a demonstrated track record of securing major gift commitments and has a proven ability to refine and actualize campaign priorities in conjunction with key academic partners and administration.

This position currently has a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of two days per week in the office.

Workplace Requirements 

Must possess (or have the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with no more than three moving violations and/or at fault accidents within the past 36 months, and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years.

Minimum Requirements: 

Bachelor’s Degree In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted 5+ years of related professional fundraising experience at the $50K level with demonstrated success of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major individual gifts In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills: 

Ability to develop and initiate new strategies Advanced problem-solving skills Strong verbal and written communications skills Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously Strong organizational and time management skills Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite Strong data analysis skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary Strong client service orientation and attention to detail Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned Excellent interpersonal skills

Preferences:

Individual major gift fundraising experience at Rice University or a complex higher education institution Experience working as a regional major gift officer or in parent fundraising Experience working in a capital campaign Experience with securing commitments involving gift planning Knowledge of fundraising database software Knowledge of gift planning principles Familiarity with higher education senior administration Certified Fundraising Executive certification (CFRE)

Essential Functions:

Develops and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors with an emphasis on $100,000+ gifts Identifies fundraising priorities and devises plans and strategies to accomplish goals Works collaboratively with faculty and development colleagues in support of fundraising initiatives Collaborates on development-related communications and events Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

Travel is required for this position and will be 60% of job responsibilities, including occasional weekends in support of special projects and events May supervise the work of a staff assistant Will work with and supervise the efforts of volunteers involved in fundraising initiatives Comfortable working in an open office environment

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.