Director of Development, School of International Service, American University

Position Title: Director of Development, School of International Service (SIS)

Reports to: Assistant Dean of Advancement, School of International Service (SIS)

Position: Full-Time, Hybrid, 2- 3 days a week on campus. Exempt; 

Travel: This position requires travel outside the Washington metropolitan area 20-40% of the time, as well as seasonal evening and weekend work for scheduled SIS and University events and programs. 

Location: Washington, D.C.; Maryland; Virginia. 

Salary: $100,000 - $120,000 annually

About American University

“We are a University of strivers and dreamers, activists and artists, scholars and servant-leaders. We realize that when we all contribute, we all succeed. We are, quite literally, one AU.” – President Sylvia Burwell

American University is a student-centered research institution in Washington, DC, with highly ranked schools and colleges, internationally renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Our students distinguish themselves with their service, leadership, and ability to rethink global and domestic challenges and opportunities.

At AU passion becomes action; students actively engage in the world around them; and the leaders of today train the leaders of tomorrow.

AU is looking for candidates who reflect the diversity of the student body. At AU, they are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. American University was founded to respond to the needs of a changing world, with a set of guiding values—diversity, equity, and inclusion. AU cannot be excellent without being truly inclusive, and without taking the concrete, specific steps to improve our campus climate.

BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrants, multilingual, mature or differently abled candidates, and people of all faiths or none at all are encouraged to apply.

About Change Can't Wait: The Campaign for American University

With a $500 million goal, Change Can’t Wait will create transformative educational opportunities for students, advance research with impact, and build stronger communities locally, nationally, and globally. Why AU? Changemaking is in their DNA. Why now? Change can’t wait.

Find out more about the campaign here.

The Role

The Director of Development for the School of International Service is a major gifts fundraiser for the School of International Service at American University. The Director of Development is responsible for achieving aggressive fundraising, solicitation, cash, pledges, and visit goals, which are set annually. This position manages a prospect portfolio of at least 100+ active rated prospects for the School of International Service, with giving capacities from $25,000 to $250,000+.  The Director of Development is expected to personally manage these relationships to cultivate, solicit, close gifts, and steward alumni donors, as well as identify and qualify new prospects for the School of International Service.  Domestic travel is required in this position to personally engage alumni and secure funds for SIS. The Director of Development serves as a key member of the Dean’s external relations team and as an ambassador of the school; works closely with the SIS Assistant Dean of Advancement, SIS, and the University Advancement Office, on moves management, stewardship, and donor issues to raise funds for the School of International Service; and shares in the responsibilities of managing the SIS Dean’s Board of Advisors as well as managing donor-focused events, including the annual SIS Global Leadership Dinner. 

Responsibilities  

"Essential" Functions: 

Major Gift Fundraising/Stewardship (60% of Time) 

• This position is responsible for identifying, qualifying, visiting, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding donors to raise major gifts for the School of International Service.  Personally manages key relationships with 100+ rated donors ($25,000 to $100,000+) in an active portfolio.  Responsible for meeting aggressive fundraising, visit, solicitation, cash, and pledge goals, which are established annually, with minimal supervision.  Works closely with SIS Assistant Dean of Advancement, SIS Dean, SIS faculty and staff, and collaboratively with University Advancement colleagues to achieve campaign goals and has a key role in managing the SIS Dean’s Board of Advisors and strategic events and projects to advance SIS development goals and priorities.  

 Events and Alumni Engagement (20% of Time) 

• Help to execute 4 cultivation and stewardship events for donors and prospects, with the aim of cultivating a robust and engaged group of supporters who are integrated with University life. Examples include: Freshman Orientation, Family Weekend, Graduate Student Council collaborations (2x year), and regional gatherings.   

Reporting & Recording (10% of Time) 

• Conducts timely updating of reports, recording strategic moves and other activities in the CRM database, and updating portfolio status.

Prospect Management (10% of Time)

• Work in concert with University Advancement colleagues, including particularly close collaboration with the Planned Giving Team, and Office of Prospect Research & Management to conduct entrepreneurial prospect identification and qualification

“Non-Essential” Functions: 

• Other duties as assigned (5% of Time)

Competencies

• Acting Strategically
• Collaborative Leadership
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas
• Prioritizing and Organizing
• Serving Customers
• Acquiring and Analyzing Information
• Displaying Creativity
• Driving Continuous Improvement

Education, Training, and/or Experience Required:  

• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a complex team environment, with multiple organizational cultures and competing priorities.   
• Experience in international work and/or higher education is strongly preferred. 
• Intellectual curiosity and emotional intelligence are a must for understanding and articulating the mission of SIS-AU as well as connecting with individual prospects and donors to understand and cultivate their motivation to give.  
• Proven track record of closing individual and/or corporate and foundation gifts of $25,000+ 
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills (A writing sample may be required) 
• Maturity, ability to handle tasks ranging from those with complex, longer-term time horizons to that which must be done quickly and efficiently in a deadline-oriented environment. 
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 

Additional Information About the Position

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the successful completion of a background check. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

American University has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Mariya Yurukova at mariya@charitysearchgroup.com ​or visit www.charitysearchgroup.com

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,  religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance,  gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.