Executive Director, Academic Partnerships

OverviewSanta Clara University is a comprehensive Jesuit Catholic university located in California's Silicon Valley, offering its 9,000 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master's, Ph.D., and law degrees.

Ranked among the top 15 percent of universities nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, Santa Clara University is California’s oldest operating institution of higher education. The University is focused on creating an academic community that educates citizens and leaders who will build a more just, humane, and sustainable world.

University Relations builds Santa Clara University’s excellence and character by strengthening relations with alumni, parents, and friends of the University, raising public awareness, and increasing private philanthropy.

Position PurposeAs a key part of the overall effort to enhance resources across the institution, Santa Clara University is looking to hire an Executive Director, Academic Partnerships to serve as the primary development liaison with the deans/directors and to oversee the Associate Directors, Leadership Giving (Leadership Giving Officers), roles that provide support to a specific school or unit to enhance leadership giving efforts (gifts ranging from $10,000 to $99,999).

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Individual Giving, the Executive Director will lead and have direct management responsibility for a team of Leadership Giving Officers, and work closely with frontline fundraisers, Deans, and Center Directors.

The Executive Director must be highly communicative and collaborative, have the ability to synthesize ideas into compelling philanthropic opportunities, and have experience mentoring and growing a team. They must also understand moves management with major gift donors.

This position is eligible for a flexible work schedule: hybrid - work from office and home.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesAcademic LiaisonServe as the liaison between development and deans/center directors from the following areas: College of Arts and Sciences, Leavey School of Business, School of Engineering, School of Education and Counseling Psychology, School of Law, Jesuit School of Theology, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, and Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education.Strategic collaboration with Deans, Center Directors, Leadership Giving Officers, faculty, and frontline fundraisers to generate gifts for school priorities.Partner with Deans and Center Directors to understand each area's key priorities, helping create compelling philanthropic opportunities to be shared with frontline fundraisers.Collaborate with frontline fundraisers to understand donor interests and help identify projects or programs within a school that may align with those interests.Assist deans in prioritizing their time with the right individuals and connecting frontline fundraisers to the appropriate school staff to further their identified strategies.

ManagementDesign and implement strategies for a comprehensive Leadership Giving program to increase engagement and annual support for the schools and centers. Provide leadership and direct management for a team of Leadership Giving Officers, integrating their efforts across campus to enhance annual and leadership fundraising activities in their particular schools or units to ensure Leadership Giving Officers meet their individual dollar goals. Take responsibility for hiring, mentoring, annual performance reviews, and handling disciplinary issues.Inspire and motivate staff, meeting regularly to provide clear communication of objectives, goals and priorities, provide guidance and timely feedback; ensure direct reports have access to appropriate training in order to perform duties as assigned. Establish performance metrics for the Leadership Giving team in concert with University Relations leadership and foster a culture of accountability. Ensure that active and effective strategies are in place to meet goals, including timely and accurate use of the CLARA fundraising database.Partner with the AVP and Prospect Management and Analytics to identify leadership gift prospects for each Leadership Giving Officer, and support campus-wide adherence to the Prospect Management process.Regularly report to the Assistant Vice President, Individual Giving on gift activity, results, expectancies, and annual planning accuracy.Actively contribute to the strategic planning, decision-making, and goal-setting for the Leadership Giving Officers to further University Relations strategic priorities.Meet regularly with Leadership Giving Officers to review performance and progress to goals.In conjunction with the AVP, prepare Leadership Giving operating plan, goals, budget, and program direction, consistently monitoring and reporting progress.

OverallParticipate as an active member of University Relations, maintaining a healthy, fair, and inclusive work environment by promoting diversity, teamwork, and collaboration when working with diverse groups, donors, volunteers, and coworkers.Foster a collaborative working environment through appropriate training and personal example.Perform other duties as assigned in support of Santa Clara University’s mission.

Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree requiredMinimum 10 years of related professional experience.5+ years of direct major gift fundraising experience.Valid driver's license.

For the complete job description, please visit our website.