Senior Director of Development, Parsons

The Senior Director will report to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE), and will design, execute, and lead strategic fundraising plans for a university-wide portfolio of individual prospects, focusing on the Parsons School of Design. The Senior Director will work with the Vice President and in collaboration with the Parsons Executive Dean, five school-based deans, and faculty, as well as other key partners across The New School. The Senior Director of Development, Parsons will design and execute a strategic fundraising plan for the School, focused to capitalize on philanthropic support from individuals to raise a minimum of $5 million annually.

As the primary development partner of the Parsons Executive Dean, the Senior Director will strategize a comprehensive fundraising plan, including how to engage, expand, and leverage the greater Parsons community to increase the financial investment in the school and University. This includes working with the Director of Special Events in fundraising for the flagship annual fundraiser, the Parsons Benefit. It also requires working with the advisory volunteer board of Parsons, referred to as the Parsons Board of Governors.

The New School is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that upholds and advances diversity and inclusion across all areas of employment, education, and access to its educational, artistic, and cultural programs and activities. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who share our commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Raise a minimum of $5M through individual fundraising, with a concentration on annual, major, and planned gifts.
• Identify at least 50 major or planned gift prospects annually.
• This position will require the incumbent to periodically travel regionally to cultivate, solicit, and steward a university-wide portfolio, concentrating on Parsons, of 100-150 current and prospective major gift donors including alumni, parents, and friends, focusing on in-person solicitation.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the Parsons Board of Governors, including recruiting new members, planning and leading annual meetings, and securing major gifts from members.
• In collaboration with Director of Special Events, lead the fundraising efforts of the premier annual fundraising event, The Parsons Benefit, including:
  • Working with Executive Dean, school leadership, School of Fashion, AVP of Institutional Giving, and Director of Special Events, to conceptualize and plan.
  • Implement and evaluate event goal and strategic plan and internal and external planning committee to develop and execute event.
  • Assist in the management of fundraising plan for Honorees, Board members and other event prospects.
• Collaborate with the Parsons Dean’s Office, as well as the department Engagement team to assist in the execution of: parent and alumni engagement events, annual Parsons events, and special events, which are central to Parsons’s continued long- term growth in fundraising.
• Complete special projects and other tasks as required including drafting letters, briefings, proposals, reports and other text as needed for the senior leadership team.
• Volunteer and attend major annual events, including: Parsons Benefit, City Visionary Awards, President’s Circle Reception, and Parsons Recognition Ceremony.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience.
• 5 to 10 years of experience working in frontline individual gift fundraising.
• Experience building and cultivating internal and external relationships.
• Highly motivated with the ability to meet ambitious annual fundraising goals.
• Ability to travel regionally.
• An entrepreneurial disposition and the ability to prioritize tasks and think creatively.
• Ability to independently initiate, organize and follow through with program plans, coordinate a wide variety of activities, and supervise numerous projects at the same time.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Regional and international travel as necessary.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience working with boards or volunteer groups.
• Familiarity with the New York City region.

WORK MODE

Hybrid/Remote - Employees hired for this position primarily work remotely with the occasional on-campus presence required with advanced notice. Employees in this role will also be expected to use their best judgment to be on campus when necessary in order to best fulfill the responsibilities of their job descriptions.

SALARY RANGE

$140,000 - $150,000 per annum

We look forward to receiving your application!