Description:
 

Job Description Summary:
 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Philanthropy and Gift Planning (SD), the
Development Director for Podiatric Medicine, Health Sciences and Community
Engagement (DD) is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts in the $25,000 to six-figure range from the College of Podiatric Medicine and the College of Health Sciences alumni and friends, and supporters of the Center for Community Engagement (CCE).

The Development Director will serve as a strategic Advancement partner, helping to shape fundable priorities and connect philanthropic investment to measurable student, community, and institutional impact. The DD will work closely with the SD, as well as the deans and faculty of the College of Podiatric Medicine and the College of Health Sciences, as well as Center for Community Engagement staff to advance funding opportunities and donor engagement activities.

The Development Director will also play a key role in driving success for SMU’s first-ever comprehensive campaign by building a major gift pipeline, developing donor-ready funding opportunities, and advancing philanthropic priorities including student scholarships, health workforce development, clinical education, simulation and experiential learning, interprofessional education, community health, pathway programs, and community-engaged learning

Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of 100 major gift prospects and major donors through all phases of the giving cycle, from qualification through stewardship, with the purpose of deepening engagement among existing major donors, increasing giving among donors, growing annual revenue, and increasing the number of major donors to the Colleges of Podiatric Medicine and Health Sciences and the Center for Community Engagement.

• Develop goals in partnership with the SD and the Vice President of Advancement and conduct visits, make asks, and meet established goals and expectations annually.

• Organize strategic prospect visits and include key SMU faculty, staff, leadership, and/or Board of Regents as appropriate in order to build relationships and secure gifts that support the three campaign pillars: Scholarship and Academic Innovation; City Center Campus and Unrestricted Support; and Community Engagement and Impact. Communicate with all parties via briefings, cultivation and solicitation and stewardship plans/updates, and donor correspondence. 

• Manage all communications and follow-up with assigned prospects and donors, including maintaining detailed contact reports in SMU’s database of record (Raiser’s Edge NXT).

• Work closely with the deans, faculty, and staff to facilitate a positive relationship with the Colleges and CCE to develop and articulate fundraising priorities and gift opportunities that align with the units and the University overall.  

• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues in the planning and execution of cultivation and solicitation events associated with the major gift program, including reunions, events, meetings, and workshops. Identify alumni and other constituents for volunteer leadership roles including reunion and class leaders, Board, and committee positions.

• Attend special events representing Advancement as a means of engaging donors and prospects. 

• Work with Advancement Services on donor and prospect record updates. 

• Actively maintain an in-depth knowledge of SMU, its funding priorities, and giving opportunities in order to articulate a compelling case for support to all constituents.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education and/or Experience
• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of training and/or experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising or equivalent.
• Demonstrated competence in applications such as Microsoft Office, Monday.com, Teams, Thankview, and Workday.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated database management experience; previous experience with Blackbaud products such as Raiser’s Edge, Raiser's Edge NXT preferred.
• Demonstrated experience as a successful fundraiser in a complex and dynamic environment such as a higher education institution or healthcare and hospital system (preferred).
• Previous campaign experience and/or experience cultivating, soliciting, and securing five-figure gifts and above (preferred).
• Experience developing, managing, and adhering to budgets and quantifiable fundraising metrics (preferred).

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated excellent communication skills – written, verbal, and aural.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate with and work collaboratively with many different internal and external project stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills, keen attention to detail, and a demonstrated team player.
• Ability to meet in-person with SMU donors and prospects.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends and to travel periodically (principally in California).
• Knowledge of the mission of SMU, and connection to SMU communities: Bay Area, Sacramento, and/or Fresno.

Work Environment:

Office Location: Oakland Campus – Onsite

• This is an onsite position based in Oakland, CA, requiring regular in-office presence to support daily operations, collaboration, and student or team engagement.
• Work is performed primarily on campus in a dynamic academic environment, with direct interaction across multidisciplinary teams.

Employee Status:

Regular

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Time Type:

Full time

Job Shift:

Pay Range:

up to $130,000 annuallydepending on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant factors.

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.