Regional Development Director
Regional Development Director
Department: Development and Alumni Relations
Location: Tulsa, OK
ABOUT US
Oral Roberts University is a non-profit organization whose staff and faculty actually make a difference in the lives of its students. We pride ourselves on our culture and the values we uphold. Our team is passionate about what we do, and we want you to make us even better!
Currently accepting applications for all positions until filled.
JOB DESCRIPTION
- FULL TIME
Works to develop and implement strategy for individual major gift donor relationship management (identify, manage, nurture, upgrade) to meet short and long-term goals of the department. The primary objective of the RDD is to develop long-term relationships with donors whose interests, passions and values align with ORU.
DUTIES
Acting as the primary contact in the donor relationship, the RDD will develop strategic funding requests based on short, intermediate, and long-term funding goals of the organization; caseload consisting of major donors/high net worth individuals; works to successfully achieve fundraising goals: identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors. Primary contact- creating a personal connection to the University
Identify prospective major donor via wealth engine, engagement info, web and social media research. Researching to find valid contact information.
Cultivate- gain trust, genuinely care and serve with frequent communication
Solicit- Having identified a point of interest, invite to make a major gift and join a giving society, become a Heritage donor in a face-to-face meeting, or through other oral or written communication.
Steward- thank the donors adequately demonstrating how their gift is making a difference
Writing: Develops and writes all ask proposals and presentations.
Writes emails and letters presenting the donor to solicit a gift for a specific amount, project or fund within a specified time frame.
Coordinates / Initiates any proposal or presentation needs with department staff.
Communication: Develops a personalized, comprehensive communication plan (phone calls, emails, personal visits) with the goal of moving donors into and along the giving continuum. Acknowledges birthdays and special events in major donors' life via calls, cards and emails.
Tell donors/alumni how much ORU (and you) cares about them.
Connect in communication to the experiences, history or reasons the donor/alum has with ORU. Create relationship of trust and friendship.
Celebrate anything and everything you know about the donor/ Join them in sad times also.
Develops and manages a portfolio of prospects for cultivations and solicitation
Adds new identified prospective donors from Dev office research, events, own research, other RDD and other sources to caseload
Reviews names on caseload periodically to remove prospects from caseload
Adds new Heritage/Planned Giving donors
Documents these movements on Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance Management software
Tracking & Reporting: Develops and manages an effective system for tracking and cultivating donors and prospects via organizational databases, e-tools providing by the University; maintains donor files. Tracks and reports all communication touches and results. Completes various reports for supervisor at specific intervals.
Tell the story of your communication with sufficient detail to follow up with the next contact.
Document so that person reading will feel like they know the donor.
Travel: RDD's are expected to travel a minimum of one week of every month. Additional travel includes attending specific donor/alumni events, ORU Homecoming etc.
Meet donors/alumni in your territory face to face in their "neck of the woods"
Connect with alumni/donors on campus at least 3 times annually- New Student Move-in (Legacy Luncheon), Homecoming, Commencement (Legacy Breakfast)
Training: RDDs will be required to participate in certain internal and external continuing educations opportunities.
Complete online training required by HR- CyberSecurity etc.
Training on tools, programs (BFPM) and other RDD specific skills training.
REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree, Advanced degree preferred
LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT(S):
Must possess a valid state driver's license and have an excellent driving record for the purpose of driving university leased vehicles.
EXPECTATIONS
The RDD will submit weekly and monthly reports as requested defining progress toward an annual goal. An RDD's annual goal will be developed by the Director of Development and the VP of Advancement, based upon the RDD's experience, longevity, caseload and region. A RDD's annual goals will consist of a specific cash and pledge amounts, contact numbers, appointments and presentation. The RDD and supervisor will review the goals annually at a minimum.
EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Ability to cultivate a relationship with a particular territory or group of clients is required. Prefer sales, entrepreneur, marketing, or fundraising experience; high sociability and personable interaction required.
Be committed to the mission of the University. (Truly extol the mission, vision, and core values of ORU).
Preference given to those familiar with planned giving instruments and Planned Giving computer software (i.e.: PG Calc.), contact management (Banner) and communication software (TBD).
Have a proven record of sales, marketing and or fundraising.
Be articulate both in speaking and writing - be able to communicate financial and tax information so that constituents (mature ones in particular) can understand it.
Be able to keep accurate records of the work.
Be self-motivated to achieve agreed upon goals.
Willing to travel to constituent locations, working evenings and weekends often and as needed.
Be a collaborating member of the team.
Good reading, mathematical, oral, written, grammatical, editing, proofreading, and organizational skills are a must. Must have an eye for detail.
Individual must have displayed ability to be a self-starter and to work well independently as well as work as a team member.
Excellent interpersonal skills are paramount for effective communication with people from various backgrounds.
Must have the ability to exercise diplomacy when confronted with difficult questions.
This person should be "well-read" for the purpose of keeping up with relevant information.
Uses sound judgment regarding organizational and departmental regulations, procedures, and policies.
Maintains a professional demeanor at all times, especially for the purpose of receiving and transmitting information.
Maintains compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policy and its' procedures.
Be proficient in Microsoft software to include Word and Excel. Must be willing to learn the Banner Database System and other internal software systems associated with tracking donor information.