Director of Advancement, Marilyn Davies College of Business (Finance)

Department: Advancement & Univ Relations

Salary: $80,937 - $99,147

Description:

About the Marilyn Davies College of Business

The Marilyn Davies College of Business (MDCOB) at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is a dynamic and thriving business school located in the heart of Downtown Houston. Serving approximately 2,800 undergraduate and nearly 1,000 graduate students, the college boasts a robust alumni network of over 24,500 UHD Gators. MDCOB offers a wide range of academic programs, including 10 undergraduate business majors and 8 MBA concentrations. The college takes pride in its diversity, with students representing 26 countries and a student body composed of 62% women and 38% men. Notable highlights include 74 distinguished faculty members, 85 MBA Corporate Fellows, and a focus on providing high-quality business education at an affordable tuition rate. The college's commitment to excellence is reflected in its AACSB accreditation and its recognition for graduating students with the lowest debt among Texas institutions. 83% of recent graduates secure employment within 1-3 months of graduation. MDCOB provides valuable career resources, including professional networking events, career center support, and opportunities for executive career development.
Job Summary

The Director of Advancement, Marilyn Davies College of Business, develops, implements, and manages a strategic fundraising plan for the College. This position serves as a vital liaison between the College and the business community, foundations, and alumni, fostering robust partnerships and securing essential funding. Through these efforts, the Director of Advancement ensures alignment with the College's mission and enhances its reputation and impact.

Duties

• Directs development activities by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects to support the College's strategic priorities and fundraising goals
• Collaborates with the University Advancement central office to ensure coordinated efforts and maximize fundraising success
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with alumni, donors, business leaders, and foundation representatives to foster ongoing support and engagement
• Serves as the liaison to external community and is the primary point of contact between the College and the local, regional, and national business communities
• Identifies and pursues funding opportunities from foundations, preparing grant proposals and managing relationships with foundation representatives
• Collaborates with the College Dean and leadership to develop and implement fundraising strategies that align with the College's mission and goals
• Administers other advancement activities, such as alumni relations, communications, special events, etc. for the College

Marginal Duties

• Participates in University-wide development activities as needed
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports:

• None

Delegation of Work:

• N/A

Supervision Given:

• N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the trends, issues, and practices related to fundraising and advancement

Skills:

• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills are essential

Abilities:

• Ability to represent the university in various capacities, including its major initiatives and units
• Ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality, prioritize assignments, and manage time effectively while fostering relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and university officials

Work Location and Physical Demands

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical, comfortable interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements
• The individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks

Qualifications

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of related job experience
• Demonstrated track record of closing major gifts ranging from $50,000 to $1M+ in a high-volume fundraising environment and experience in strategically managing a portfolio of donors using efficient moves management techniques

License/Certification:

• None required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a University setting or similarly complex non-profit environment
• Experience working with a Dean of an academic unit on philanthropic endeavors
• Management of philanthropic volunteers, including volunteer boards/committees

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are an Equal Opportunity Institution.