Associate Director, Engagement

As Associate Director, Engagement (Major Gifts), UK & Europe, you will be a critical part of ASU and Thunderbird’s commitment to developing nimble, ethical, and global leaders by raising major gifts from high-net worth individuals, trusts, corporations and foundations in the UK and Europe.

Working closely with the Director of Engagement, UK & Europe, and leadership at Thunderbird and Arizona State University Foundation (ASUF), you will be responsible for implementing a comprehensive advancement strategy for the UK and Europe, supporting the broader University objectives in the region and the work already being done by ASU, ASUF, and Thunderbird. A key priority will be to significantly increase philanthropic income across the School and University. You will also be responsible for proactively building the pipeline, demonstrating a creative approach to reach potential new donors.

Working collaboratively with colleagues on the Thunderbird Alumni Engagement team, you will represent the University and School at a high level with donors, alumni, and other key stakeholders, as well as with foundation leadership. This is a chance to be part of an institution that is multicultural, diverse and inclusive, and whose alumni are genuinely changemakers. You will be working for a truly global organization with an outstanding reputation and almost limitless potential.

Overview

The Associate Director, Engagement (Major Gifts), UK & Europe is a seasoned development professional with a global mindset. The Associate Director will work with leadership at Thunderbird and Arizona State University Foundation (ASUF) and the Director of Engagement, UK & Europe, to execute a comprehensive advancement strategy as it relates to the UK and Europe, supporting the broader University objectives in the region and the work already being done by ASU, ASUF, and Thunderbird in the UK and Europe. The Associate Director will be involved in the full range of funding sources from high-net-worth individuals and trusts to corporations and foundations. They will work collaboratively and in coordination with colleagues on the Thunderbird and ASU Alumni Engagement teams and will be fully conversant in all aspects of programs and strategic objectives and represent the University and School at a high level with donors, alumni, and other key stakeholders, as well as with foundation leadership.

Essential Functions:

• Develops and executes strategic support and engagement efforts on behalf of Thunderbird and ASU specifically in the UK and Europe, by designing, implementing, evaluating, and refining development activities to drive retention, reactivation, acquisition, and pipeline growth Collaborates with the Director of Engagement, UK & Europe, the engagement team, unit leaders and academic leaders to assist and direct the implementation and coordination of engagement opportunities in cooperation with the objectives of Thunderbird and ASUF
• Guided by the direction and scope of a prospect’s interest, collaborates with various faculty, institute/centre directors, and unit-based and foundation-based fundraisers to leverage philanthropic potential
• Develops and submits written proposals, budgets, and other collateral materials as needed for securing significant ($50,000+) investments and support
• Collaborates with the efforts of Thunderbird and ASU/ASUF in the UK with various ASU offices and functions to advance prospect strategies (i.e., alumni engagement, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, development, donor relations, estate and gift planning, financial services, research and prospect management)
• Specifically in the UK and Europe, proactively manages a personal portfolio of prospects ($50,000+), develops and executes strategic prospect strategies leading to solicitation and investment
• Uses the ASUF prospect management and tracking system (i.e., Salesforce) to record and coordinate contacts and proposals
• Assumes responsibility for core metrics including face-to-face visits with prospects, identification of new prospects, growth in cumulative giving from the prospect portfolio, major proposals submitted, dollars raised
• Ensures proper stewardship and recognition of individuals in portfolio
• Participates as a member of the ASUF development team and serves as a resource to development colleagues regarding investment opportunities
• Sustains strong working relationships with deans, chairs, directors, and faculty members across the University
• Assists Thunderbird development team with campaign planning and implementation
• Through alumni engagement, identifies and reaches out to target companies to establish new relationships for Thunderbird Executive Education

Education and Essential Experience

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience, or alternatively currently enrolled as an undergraduate and/or willingness to enroll in an undergraduate degree
• Significant experience and demonstrated fundraising success in professional higher education advancement or the not-for-profit sector
• Demonstrated ability in securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources
• Demonstrated organizational skills and experience in managing events and other complex activities in support of development objectives
• On-the-ground development experience in Europe and/or globally

Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles
• Ability to work independently and maintain project momentum while working with colleagues and partners remotely in the UK, the US, and colleagues based around the world
• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others
• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment
• Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community
• Knowledge of development techniques including proposal development, prospect identification, program planning, fund solicitation, database management, investor tracking, and social networking and marketing tools
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to ASU’s and Thunderbird’s relationships, donor base, and finances and the Foundation and University’s business and confidential information
• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds
• Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University
• Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyse information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives
• Command of English language required
• Previous experience working in Salesforce and Workday desirable
• Travel when necessary to execute strategic development plans for regional and national major donor prospects
• Ability to work early mornings, nights and weekends to attend meetings and events as needed

How to Apply

The Thunderbird School of Global Management and ASU Foundation is partnering with Joanna Logan and Erin Hall Westfall of Constellate Global Talent on this search. If you would like to have a confidential discussion about the position, please email info@weareconstellate.com.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter no later than midnight on 2nd October, 2024 to info@weareconstellate.com