Senior Director of Advancement – Honors College

The University of Missouri seeks highly qualified applicants for the role of Senior Director of Advancement in the Honors College. The Senior Director will direct a portfolio of individual & corporate/foundation major-gift prospects, develop annual advancement plans for the college, and foster relationships that lead to gifts in support of the Honors College priorities. The Senior Director will collaborate with the leadership in the Honors College and MU Advancement to secure six/seven/eight figure gifts and serve as the primary steward for the college.

• Drive the fundraising and alumni/stakeholder engagement efforts within the Honors College in conjunction with its director and MU Advancement
• Proactively identify prospective individual and corporate/foundation donors to secure major gifts
• Create the College’s annual advancement plan and oversee the development, implementation, and management
• Strategically partner with the Honors College Marketing and Communications team to ensure consistent and effective message alignment for all stakeholders related to engagement and fundraising
• Steward genuine relationships with the donors, alumni, partners, and stakeholders of the Honors College
• Manage an individual portfolio of major-gift donors, make substantive and meaningful contact (including phone, video, and face-to-face visits) with them, and successfully present major-gift proposals
• Identify leadership giving prospects with a strong sphere of influence and affluence resulting in major leadership gifts (six/seven/eight figures)
• Passionately serve as the primary liaison to MU Advancement and the Honors College leadership, students, faculty, and staff building meaningful relationships and lasting connections

Interpersonal:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build and foster a culture of trust, influence internal and external stakeholders, and network effectively in-person and digitally
• Build consensus and resolve conflict while leveraging Mizzou Advancement’s commit to a culture of excellence through teamwork, passion, and engagement
• Value the principles of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity while actively fostering a living, learning, and working community where everyone is valued and inspired to reach their full potential

Business:

• Ability to think strategically, synthesize broad information and communicate across all levels
• Intentionally and purposefully sets priorities and shifts processes, resources, and capital
• Propels aggressive results through proven business acumen and innovative thinking
• Analyzes team, donor, & college needs and proposes forward-thinking solutions
• Quickly masters new technical and business knowledge while using effective strategies to facilitate organizational change initiatives and overcome resistance to change

Competencies:

• A passion for the mission of the University of Missouri, Mizzou Advancement, and the Honors College including the Missouri Scholars Academy, MedOpp, and Global and National Fellowships
• Self-starter and strong sense of urgency, continuously motivates and inspires others to action
• Intellectually curious & takes initiative to capitalize on opportunities
• Entrepreneurial spirit and able to generate excitement to build fruitful working relationships with colleagues and donors
• A compassionate and empathic leader, thoughtful of environment, organizational cultures, and dynamics
• Self-aware with an accurate reflection of strengths and areas for improvement and is willing to growth and thrive
• Demonstrates leadership in difficult situations and uses effective management tactics, including mentoring, professional relationships building, and feedback channels