Executive Director of Donor Relations and Economic Development

Executive Director of Donor Relations and Economic Development

Supervised by: Vice President of Advancement
Department: Institutional Advancement	Grade: M
Category: Full-time Administrator (10% Grant Funded)	Status: Exempt

Function of the Job

The Executive Director of Fundraising and Economic Development is responsible for Impact Program fundraising and the Illinois Small Business Development Center and provides coordination for economic development efforts that enhance the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the College.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Lead the Impact fundraising campaign.
2. Identify major gift prospects that are individual donors, businesses/corporations, foundations/philanthropic organizations, and municipalities.
3. Analyze and predict donor’s propensity, capacity, and enthusiasm to give; gather pertinent data alongside the prospect researcher to determine the best candidates for the major gifts program.
4. Make direct face-to-face solicitations and assist the board and other staff with their solicitation (e.g. provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications).
5. Cultivate major gift prospects, investing the necessary time and energy to build relationships designed to understand the donor/prospect goals with the expressed purpose of alignment with college mission and objectives.
6. Solicit major gift prospects, moving prospective major donors along the donor pipeline ready to receive appropriate asks based upon donor intent and interest.
7. Serve as a key team member and an active participant in establishing the infrastructure and overall planning, development, and management of the college’s relationships with individual donors, organizations, leaders, and community influencers.
8. Organize and implement programs to continue and expand the success of resource development initiatives, including, but not limited to, donor relations, major and planned gifts, foundation, and corporate gifts and stewardship.
9. Participate in/facilitate the development of goals and objectives for the Foundation by advising and making recommendations to the Dean of Institutional Advancement and the Foundation Board of Directors.
10. Maintain an active portfolio of approximately 100 donors and be responsible for a program of personal visits, relationship development, solicitations and stewardship activities.
11. Identify and develop corporate and college partnerships for major gift initiatives and campaigns.
12. Participate in community activities, including membership in at least one community organization to integrate with and maintain communities served by the college.
13. Coordinate and cultivate relationships with stakeholders including resource partners, local chambers of commerce, professional associations, economic development groups, and elected officials.
14. Plan and direct the execution and planning of collaborative economic development efforts that enhance the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the College.
15. Work with elected officials on regional economic development needs/initiatives.
16. Plan and coordinate projects consistent with the goals and objectives of Sauk Valley Community College and its efforts to support the region’s economic development programs.
17. Oversee economic development efforts and continue to foster growth in the region.
18. Oversee the Illinois Small Business Development Center, and ensure grant objectives are being met on time and with quality.
19. Serve as Administrator on Duty on a rotating basis (3% tort).
20. Serve as a member of the Leadership Council.
21. Assume all other reasonable professional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Essential Functions

1. Must understand and support the mission of the community college.
2. Must be able to communicate effectively by phone and email on a daily basis.
3. Must be able to provide verbal/visual presentations to personnel, institution, local community areas, and Board of Trustees as required.
4. Must be able to work with Microsoft Office products.
5. Must be able to interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
6. Must be able to work in a team environment.

Personal Interaction

Frequent contact is made with all levels of College personnel, the general public and outside organizations in relation to routine departmental services and duties in providing appropriate assistance and information as requested.

Supervision Excercised

Functional and administrative supervision is exercised over the Program Director Illinois Small Business Development Center.

Requirements

B.A. or B.S. degree in related fields. Preferred certification in fundraising and economic development. Five years experience with small business management, marketing, and fundraising. Budget and program management experience, strong marketing and sales orientation, ability to master technical literature, and excellent communication skills including public speaking are also required.

Revised: 12/5/2022