Executive Director of Advancement
Simpson College: College Advancement: Advancement
Location
Indianola, IA
Open Date
Jan 29, 2025
Description
Simpson College seeks applicants for this newly created position on the College Advancement Team. This senior-level fundraiser is responsible for overseeing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure significant donations from major donors, including major gifts to capital projects and endowment as well as estate gifts, and support of The Simpson Fund. This position will be a key member of the College Advancement Team, reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Advancement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Donor Identification and Cultivation: Actively identify, research, and cultivate relationships with 100 – 200 high-potential donors located throughout Iowa and across the country, through outreach, meetings, and personalized communication to build trust and understanding of the college's needs.
- Solicitation and Closing Gifts: Lead the solicitation process for major gifts, including crafting compelling proposals, presenting fundraising case statements, and negotiating donation amounts with prospective donors.
- Donor Stewardship: Manage long-term relationships with existing donors through regular communication, personalized updates on the impact of their gifts, and cultivation of future giving opportunities.
- Data Analysis and Reporting: Track fundraising progress against established goals, analyze donor data to identify trends and opportunities, and present comprehensive reports to senior leadership.
- Donor Events and Engagement: Help with the organization and management of donor events, cultivation activities, and donor recognition programs to foster a strong connection between the college and its supporters.
Qualifications
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Proven track record of success in securing significant major gifts within a complex fundraising environment.
- Deep understanding of fundraising principles, donor motivations, and cultivation strategies.
- Outstanding knowledge of estate planning tools and a proven record of working with prospective donors to include the college in their estate plans.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills to build meaningful relationships with donors.
- Strong analytical skills to interpret data and make informed fundraising decisions.
- Knowledge of the higher education landscape and the unique challenges as well as opportunities within the fundraising sector.
- Bachelor's degree required.
Application Instructions
Applications will be reviewed immediately upon receipt and continue untl the postion is filled. A complete application will include a cover letter addressing your interest in the position, resume, and contact information of three professional references . In addition, include in the application a statement addressing how your experiences and/or interests contribute to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion at Simpson College.
Simpson College is a small liberal arts college with a dedicated group of faculty, staff and students. Simpson’s main campus is in Indianola, Iowa, a part of the greater Des Moines metropolitan area. The Des Moines area has a population of over 600,000, and economic growth has outpaced the U.S. as a whole in recent years. In addition, the cost of living is well below the national average. To learn more about Simpson College, please visit: www.simpson.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION: Applicants for admission and employment, students, parents of students, employees, sources of referral for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with Simpson College are hereby notified that this institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, veteran or veteran disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic in admission, access to, treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Any persons having inquiries concerning Simpson College’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX – Section 504 or Americans with Disabilities Act are directed to contact Mary Ellen Bartley-Nancarrow, Director of Human Resources, Simpson College, 701 North C Street, Indianola, Iowa 50125-1299, (515) 961-1511. Persons may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, regarding the institution’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX – Section 504, or Americans with Disabilities Act.
TITLE IX: Simpson College does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender. Simpson College also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Reports of misconduct, questions regarding Title IX, and concerns about non-compliance should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. For a complete copy of the policy, more information, or to report an instance of sex or gender-based discrimination, please contact the Title IX Coordinator (titleix@simpson.edu) and/or the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html.
The College is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all candidates being considered for employment. Background checks may include but are not limited to criminal history, national sex offender search, and motor vehicle history. Simpson’s annual security compliance document is available on the Simpson Security website. To comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, you will be required to, upon being made an offer of employment, produce documents that are specified by the federal government to establish your identity and right to work in the United States. These documents must be produced no later than seventy-two (72) hours after beginning paid employment. Questions? Contact the Human Resources department at employment@simpson.edu
SIMPSON COLLEGE PROMOTES A CLEAR AIR LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT. SMOKING IS PROHIBITED ON COLLEGE PROPERTY.