Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

Position Summary:

Plans, organizes and manages the development of complex major gift support for Rice Business fundraising priorities. Identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gift donor prospects at the $100K - $4.9M level, with a specific focus on those at $250K and above. Assists and supports the development and execution of the fundraising strategy for Rice Business.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate for the Senior Director of Development is an experienced fundraising professional focused on identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift donors at the $250,000 level and above. The candidate is results-oriented and has a demonstrated track record of securing major gift commitments. The Senior Director of Development is familiar with giving strategies and tactics and advances the most appropriate methods toward amplifying the school’s fundraising results. The Senior Director of Development is a strong collaborator, colleague and advocate for the school and the university.

Workplace Requirements:

Rice Business primarily delivers residential classes and activities taking place almost daily between 7 am and 10 pm. We value a highly collaborative and community-based culture, with expectations to provide in-person support and services to all members of our community. Remote work options are limited. Most employment activities are required to be performed in-person and on-campus. This in-person approach is central to the successful achievement of our research and academic missions.

This position may be offered as a hybrid role and may combine both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Remote work opportunities are possibly extended to the candidate following the successful conclusion of the probationary period

Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree

  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted.

• Seven or more (7+) years of experience in higher education and/or an equivalent field
  • Education may not be substituted for experience

Skills:

• Demonstrated success with fundraising in a higher education environment

• Strong client service orientation

• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned

• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies; to absorb technical and complex material and synthesize information to form creative and innovative ideas

• Advanced problem-solving skills; adept at creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary

• Demonstrated leadership and strategic management skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite

• Excellent data analysis skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules

• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary

• Strategic skills to craft and execute fundraising plans

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Expertise using CRM systems and screening tools to identify, track and cultivate prospects and donors.

Preferences:

• Experience in higher education major gift fundraising
• Proficiency with fundraising CRMs
• Ability to prioritize goals and key performance indicators and advance progress toward achieving them
• Ability to quickly pivot, think outside the box and collaborate up and down the chain of command
• Certified fund-raising Executive (CFRE) certification

Essential Functions:

• Develops, solicits and manages a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects through the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors with an emphasis on $250,000+ gifts.

• Identifies fundraising priorities and devises plans and strategies to accomplish major gift goals.

• Works collaboratively with faculty and development colleagues in support of fundraising initiatives.

• Collaborates on development-related communications and events.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Additional Functions

• Cultivate and close gifts through face-to-face interactions with alumni and friends of the school. Meetings may include other Major Gift officers, faculty, deans, or senior leadership of the school.

• Actively works donor pipeline to meet specific fundraising objectives including number of proposals submitted, total dollars raised, new prospects advanced into the pipeline from identification to cultivation and from cultivation to solicitation.

• May travel regionally and nationally, as needed.

• Works in partnership with school and department leadership to develop campaign strategies.

• Some evenings, as needed, to host/staff high-level donor meetings or events.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.

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Rice Business is seeking an experienced fundraising professional focused on identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift donors to serve as the Senior Director of Development.