Director

of

Advancement

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

This position description is a general statement of the essential and non-essential duties and responsibilities of the position. It contains the functions necessary to describe and clarify the position. Additionally, management reserves the right to add, delete, or modify the duties and responsibilities contained in this position description.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Advancement at Ralston College is a pivotal leadership role focused on fundraising and donor engagement in alignment with our mission to revive and reinvent the university and to revive a culture of human flourishing for one and all. As a groundbreaking institution building from first principles, Ralston College is committed to transformative, rigorous education in a community that values friendship and freedom of thought. Tasked with advancing a comprehensive fundraising map aligned with the College's strategic plan, the Director of Advancement will devise and execute effective strategies, engage with individuals, foundations, and philanthropic partners, and collaborate closely with the President and the Advancement team to execute and operationalize the College’s burgeoning fundraising operations in a very high-capacity and high-potential landscape.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Advancement is responsible for a wide range of fundraising activities including but not limited to:

In conjunction with the President and the Advancement team, formulating effective goals, objectives, strategies, activities, cultivation pipelines, and benchmarks for a comprehensive fundraising program aligned with the College’s strategic plan.
Supervising members of the Advancement team, leading hiring and onboarding efforts, and cultivating a supportive, results-oriented team environment.
Articulating a persuasive case for support to connect donors, new and existing, with the College's mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.
Identifying, cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting individuals, foundations, and philanthropic partners.
Scheduling and attending donor meetings for the President as appropriate.
Drafting various communication materials, including proposals, letters, grant applications, appeals, reports, newsletters, event invitations, and more.
Collaborating with the President and CFO to create budgets and financial narratives for new programs.
Developing special events, including online conversations, dinners, workshops, podcasts, and travel programs to engage potential and current donors.
Ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of the gift acknowledgment process and distribution of gifts receipts and appropriate expressions of gratitude.
Managing, optimizing, and leveraging Salesforce to implement prospective identification, research, and engagement programs to ensure effective management of donor relationships and strategic outreach initiatives.
Overseeing and contributing to the writing of quarterly and annual reports.
Overseeing audience building and data integrity projects and conducting weekly and monthly QA audit reports.
Monitoring, tracking, and reporting on fundraising progress while establishing useful metrics for analysis.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent; they do not purport to describe all functions. The incumbent may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may change from time to time as necessary.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

A Bachelor’s degree is required, a Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum 5 years of broad development experience with a proven track record in securing six-and seven-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, and other partners.
Experience in building and growing pipelines of cultivation at all levels of giving.
Determined professional with significant experience in building successful relationships and achieving established fundraising goals.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills, specifically in fundraising, including proposals, solicitations, case statements, digital campaigns, and gift acknowledgment letters.
Strong organizational and administrative skills, with a demonstrated ability to establish effective systems fostering collaboration and improving efficiency.
Effective interpersonal skills, keen attention to detail, and a creative and positive attitude.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments with minimal supervision, meeting strict deadlines with an outcomes-oriented approach.
Initiative to analyze, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic fundraising plans.
Knowledge of prospect management tools and donor database management.
Proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and Zoom required.
Proficiency in Salesforce or alternative CRM required.
The candidate must possess a substantial understanding of the mission of Ralston College.
Unimpeachable integrity, trustworthiness, and discretion.
Traveling as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Much of the work of this position is completed while sitting at a desk, using a computer and phone. Requires talking, hearing, and visual acuity sufficient to perform these major functions.
Occasionally includes reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting up to 25 pounds for office equipment, supplies, and materials.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Ralston College to provide equal employment opportunities to all without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please email a letter of interest and CV addressed to employment@ralston.ac.

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Job Title: Director of Advancement
Department: Office of the President
Location: Savannah, GA
Position Status: Full Time, Exempt
Travel Required: ~30%
Reports to: President
Salary: Competitive