Job Details

Regional Development Director

Position Number: 6320126
Location: La Mirada, CA
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Regional Development Director

Purpose of Position: This position exists to proactively identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts of $25,000+ for Biola University. As a key member of the major gifts team, this person will seek to build long-term relationships with donors and prospects that believe in Biola's mission, vision and values, and who desire to resource this mission and vision. This candidate must be willing to travel to selected regions, including, but not limited to, Texas, Illinois and Colorado.

Reports to: This position reports to the Sr. Director of Major and Planned Gifts.

Primary Responsibility: To build and manage a portfolio of approximately 100+ qualified donors and prospects and actively cultivate and solicit gifts. They will focus their attention on building a robust network of donors through individuals in California and selected regions throughout the U.S., including, but not limited to, Texas, Illinois and Colorado. Accordingly, this position requires frequent travel in the field with donors regionally and throughout the U.S.

Responsibilities:

Manage a portfolio of approximately 100+ qualified donor households and prospects, actively cultivating and soliciting gifts by building a robust network of donors capable of giving $25,000 or more.

Meet or exceed annual solicitation goals (submitted and realized) for various giving priorities, including the university's comprehensive campaign priorities–the Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts studio facility, Biola Fund, scholarships and endowment, planned gifts, and other identified priorities–while maintaining a strong emphasis on the number of meetings and donor cultivation required to drive results.

Move donors through the major giving process (moves management) year-over-year by developing and maintaining key relationships with assigned constituents.

Establish an intentional treatment stream/strategy for each constituent that aligns with the Philosophy of Stewardship & Resource Development at Biola University.

Accurately and regularly record all actions and key information in the university's fundraising CRM (Raiser's Edge/NXT).

Regularly attend various Biola University and University Advancement events (e.g. Convocation, Christmas Tree Lighting, President's Circle events, etc) with an emphasis on strategically inviting and cultivating the relationship with assigned constituents.

Utilize Department resources for the cultivation and solicitation of gifts. These include:
--Events
--Print, Electronic, and Media Promotion
--Research, Queries, and Reports (from Raiser's Edge)
--Networking and "Third Party" participation

Be a cooperative and contributing member of the team within the Advancement Division.

Demonstrate a lifestyle that is consistent with the expectations of Biola University and actively pursue Christ-like maturation in one's life.

Be in agreement with Biola's Philosophy of Stewardship.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Optimum Qualifications:

● The person who fills this position must be a seasoned major gift officer with 5+ years of direct major gift solicitation experience, preferably in higher education, or similar sales experience in another field.

● Bachelor's degree required.

● Demonstrated ability to understand the needs and interests of donors in order to develop and strengthen relationships with the University.

● Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and a professional demeanor; must be highly relational and have ability to interact with donors and prospects of all ages.

● Good organization and time management skills. The ability to employ self-initiative and to work independently while engaging in multiple tasks. Commitment to continuous process improvement.

● Self-starter who has a strong record of both organizational skills and financial production.

● Must be able and willing to travel regionally and throughout the U.S. and work before or after work hours and over weekends as needed.

● Experience with computerized donor tracking software, preferably Raiser's Edge or Raiser's Edge NXTCommitment and understanding of the practice of biblical stewardship.

● Be a cooperative member of the Office of University Advancement.

● Maintain a lifestyle consistent with sound Biblical principles and standards of conduct in alignment with the Biola University Articles of Faith, actively pursuing Christ-like maturation in your life.

● Understand that the Biola Statement of Principles reflect the unwavering convictions of the University, and hold personal theological beliefs and actions that are in agreement with the statement.

Full-time, salaried position

Hiring Range: $100,000.00 - 120,000.00 per year