Job Information
The Research Foundation for SUNY at Binghamton University Director of the Binghamton Fund in Vestal, New York
Location: Vestal, NY Category: Professional Posted On: Wed Jun 26 2024 Job Description:
The Director of the Binghamton Fund is a full-time, professional, fundraising position responsible for management and direction of a comprehensive annual giving program for the Binghamton University Foundation. The director reports to the Senior Supervising Director of the Binghamton Fund and Donor Relations and supervises three full-time professional staff members: the Binghamton Fund Program Associate, Direct Marketing, Binghamton Fund Program Associate, Leadership Annual Giving and the Binghamton Fund Program Coordinator, and provides strategic oversight to the partnership with a telefund vendor.
The primary objective of the Director's position is to effectively manage a successful annual giving program in support of the University priority of securing unrestricted annual giving from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, campus retirees, students and community friends. The Director should be a strong advocate for the Binghamton Fund, both internally and externally.
Duties and Responsibilities
Program Management and Oversight (40%)
Create, implement and evaluate a comprehensive, multi-year plan to increase donors and dollars in support of the Binghamton Fund. The plan includes segmentation, timing, messages, and goals. Monitor progress towards those targets. Provide day-to-day oversight for the entire annual giving program. Provide a rigorous, systematic review and analysis of all of the Binghamton Fund activities to find ways to do things more effectively and efficiently. Develop specific strategies to increase Binghamton Fund donor retention, upgrades and acquisition.
Provide strategic oversight of the relationship between the telefund vendor and the Foundation related to the telefund program. Provide high-level strategic direction and monitor progress as it relates to their contract.
Provide leadership in developing the Schools and Units' understanding of the fundamentals of annual giving and its role in supporting their programs, and its role in developing a successful major gifts program. Work proactively to establish and meet ambitious goals for increasing annual fund support for the Schools and Units while preserving the funds designated to greatest needs.
Develop appropriate elements and formats for regular, routine reporting on the Binghamton Fund performance for a broad array of internal and external constituencies. Provide effective reporting and analysis to the supervisor and the Executive Leadership Team for use in management decision-making.
Develop and manage the annual giving budget based on programmatic goals and objectives as reviewed and approved annually.
Provide direction and leadership to develop and build the staff of the Binghamton Fund. Evaluate staff performance annually.
Staff Supervision (30%)
- Serve as the leader of the Binghamton Fund staff, providing management of the day-to-day operations. Provide advice, support, and guidance to the team. Hire and train staff as appropriate by being versed in all aspects of the program's work. Provide the framework for, and oversight to, goalsetting and benchmarking, program implementation and evaluation.
Parent Giving Program (15%)
Assist with activities related to the Parents Leadership Council (PLC) in collaboration with the Director of Family and Parent Programs. This includes representing the Binghamton Fund and the Division of Advancement on the quarterly Parents Leadership Council (PLC) calls and on-campus annual meeting.
Work closely with the Chair of the Development Committee within the PLC as the primary staff liaison for this committee. Establish fundraising goals and objectives for the committee and larger council. Develop opportunities for new generations of volunteers who can take on leadership roles and serve as solicitors for future fundraising efforts. Recruit, train and support these volunteers as appropriate.
Develop a plan for solicitation and stewardship aimed to grow parent participation, increase donor loyalty, and provide general education about philanthropy to the University. This includes providing input to direct mail, e-mail, and social media outreach for solicitation as well as stewardship in coordination with the Associate Director of the Binghamton Fund and the Associate Director of Leadership Society Annual Giving.
Donor Recognition and Communications (10%)
Consult with the Donor Relations and Stewardship team on developing ways to steward and recognize all Binghamton Fund donors and to share the impact of annual giving.
Work closely with the Division of Communications and Marketing to develop and produce Binghamton Fund materials and to update the Binghamton Fund web pages. Ensure integration of messages and collateral for both leadership-level giving and broad-based appeals.
Professional Development (5%)
Review fundraising trade journals, books, and listservs and conducts research to improve the annual giving program and develop enhanced solicitation strategies. Stay current on trends in the annual giving industry and changes in technology that affect the program.
Forge relationships with colleagues at other institutions and organizations in an effort to learn best practices in the industry.
As funding allows, participate in at least one professional development conference or educational program each year, if appropriate, in an effort to improve job skills and acquire broader knowledge of fundraising techniques used at other colleges and universities.
FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
The Director of the Binghamton Fund:
Reports to Senior Supervising Director of the Binghamton Fund and Donor Relations.
Supervises three (3) full-time, professional staff members.
Serves as liaison to the senior project team from our telefund vendor.
Participates in development team meetings, sharing information on annual giving initiatives and, where appropriate, major donor prospects leads with the Director of Prospect Management, Research and Analysis and the Major Gifts Team.
Assists development colleagues in crafting prospect strategies related to annual giving by major donor prospects.
Job Requirements:
Bachelor's degree required
A minimum of seven (7) years' experience in development; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of University development and fundraising with an understanding of individual giving programs, and detailed understanding of annual fundraising programs, such as direct mail, telefund, and personal solicitation programs is preferred.
Proven record of leadership, management and supervisory skills
Excellent oral and written communications skills
Willingness to work evenings and weekends and travel
Experience in personally soliciting gifts
Demonstrated ability to effectively motivate, train and support staff and volunteers
Ability to work effectively in a team environment?with a mix of Deans, faculty, parents, alumni and staff colleagues. Excellent interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of modern data management practices and techniques including data-based computerized information systems, data modeling, and models of analysis that leads to effective decision making on behalf of the program.
Extremely detail-oriented, organized and highly motivated
Ability to problem solve, work collaboratively and be an effective partner in a team environment
Knowledge of Microsoft Office projects, especially Excel, is required.
Additional Information:
Salary: $90,000 - $100,000 Annually. Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Employee Benefits: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package (https://benefits.rfsuny.org/) that is a valuable part of total compensation. This includes medical, dental, vision, dependent care subsidy and other benefits such as SUNY Tuition Assistance. Furthermore, our 10 Perks of Working at the RF (https://www.rfsuny.org/about-us/careers/) provides an at-a-glance view of our top benefits that make us a great place to work.
Research Foundation Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity
As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.
The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.
The Research Foundation for SUNY is a private, not for profit corporation and is a separate employer from SUNY and the State of New York and offers separate compensation and benefit plans.
Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.