Advancement Director, Midwest/Chicago

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Job Summary

The Director will primarily work from home but is required to maintain an office and presence in our Chicago/Midwest Region offices. Therefore residence within a commutable distance from our Chicago office is required.

WGU Advancement is dedicated to making workforce-based education affordable and attainable for all by increasing and improving access to higher education and accelerating innovations in learning on behalf of students through transformational philanthropic partnerships WGU Advancement partners with national scale and regionally based foundations, corporations, associations, and high net-worth individuals to solicit and steward impactful investments in support of our strategic initiatives. Since 1997, WGU has redefined ways to access and attain a post-secondary credential of value and fundamentally changed American higher education to be more equitable, affordable, and achievable. As such, our donors reflect that same spirit of innovation and invention in their generosity.

The Advancement Director is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $100,000 and above from foundations, corporations, and individual constituents. The qualified candidate will manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 donor prospects and will conduct a minimum of 12-15 personal visits a month, entailing online meetings, national or regional travel. This position must work independently and collaboratively with the Advancement team, the Regional Vice President, and other stakeholders such as senior administration, School leadership, and others. The Advancement Director demonstrates progressive development experience in all aspects of fundraising, particularly major and principal gifts. The Director develops long-term relationships with various constituencies and helps ensure a pipeline of major gift donors.

The purpose of this position is to secure philanthropic funds by managing a group of identified, qualified donors, ensuring as many as possible are retained as continuing donors to WGU and are upgraded in their giving and involvement. The Advancement Director will assist donors by helping them fulfill their passions and interests through giving support to the students WGU serves.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Independently identify and managea portfolio of 100-125 prospects/donors (foundations, corporations, alumni, friends)in the region of responsibility. The Advancement Director is responsible for identification and progression of major gift prospects through the gift cycle: (qualification through stewardship) as well as documenting all prospects interactions, outcomes, strategies and rationales in WGU's donor management system.
• Exceptional communication skills, including proposal development (writing, editing, etc.) and an ability to pitch (written or orally) ideas and concepts to prospective philanthropic investors.
• Engages prospective donors and builds strong relationships. Developsproposals based on WGU's fundraising priorities and donor investment interests.
• Works collaboratively with the WGU Advancement team, the Regional Vice President, and other internal constituents to develop both broad reach and targeted engagementopportunities.
• Qualifies individual, corporate, and foundation prospects and cultivates those that have ability to contribute $100K or greater.
• Assists in the development of annual fundraising goals using past giving history and anticipated new funding opportunities.
• Workscollaboratively across the university so that all proposals/reports are well prepared and properly vetted so that WGU is represented in a professional and thoughtful way.
• Regularly reports relevant donor activity and strategy to the Executive Director of Development and other internal stakeholders.
• Collaborates internally in adherence to processes, deadlines, budgets, policies, and procedures of WGU. Maintains a positive and constructive attitude while solving problems.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  

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Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Generalknowledgeof Advancementprograms and processes.
• General knowledge of IRS rules regarding philanthropic gifts.
• Understanding of, and adherence to, the Donor Bill of Rights.
• Abilityto demonstrate mastery in written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Abilitytodeliver persuasive and compelling presentationsto secure major gifts and donations.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and independent problem solver.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related area.
• Six (6) yearsof experience incultivating and soliciting major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations as well as fundraising and relationship management experience.
• Experience in cultivating, closing, and stewarding six-figure gifts.
• The Director will primarily work from home but is required to maintain an office and presence in our Chicago/Midwest Region offices. Therefore residence within a commutable distance from our Chicago office is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• May have broad knowledge of project management.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Up to 25% traveland some weekend work expected.

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.