Director of Advancement

Ramapo College of New Jersey
Mahwah, NJ
Director of Advancement

Position Description

Ramapo College of New Jersey (RCNJ) develops ethical leaders who serve as change agents across all sectors. The College’s unique interdisciplinary academic structure, its liberal arts core, its size (approximately 5,500 students), and its setting in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains on the New Jersey/New York border provide an optimal environment for individualized, student-centered learning and leadership development. RCNJ’s designation as “New Jersey’s Public Liberal Arts College” by the State legislature is the foundation from which the College’s commitment to an accessible and transformative undergraduate and graduate education is realized.Established in 1969, CondeNast Traveler named Ramapo one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America. The barrier-free campus occupies 300 acres and is home to 52 bachelor’s degree programs spanning the arts, business, data science, humanities, education, nursing, social work, social sciences, and the sciences. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and an average class size of 21; affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College’s exceptional faculty. In addition, the College offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work, and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Every degree program is designed and delivered through the collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts of student-centered faculty scholars and staff who are committed to serving the public good through the delivery of an academically rigorous, inclusive, and a transformative collegiate experience.   Ramapo is ranked #1 among New Jersey public institutions by College Choice and is recognized as the State’s top college on the list of Best Disability Schools by Great Value Colleges. Further commendations include designation as a “Military Friendly College” in Victory Media’s Guide to Military Friendly Schools, and as a leading college by U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger’s, Princeton Review, and Money Magazine, among others. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time, managerial position, and days of work and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Note: This position is in the “NL” category of employment (non-fixed work week) and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Compensatory time will not be granted for work done as an extension of the regular work day. It is the policy of the College to grant hour for hour compensatory time off, with advance approval, only when employees are required to work on a holiday. Time earned must be used within one fiscal year from the time it is earned.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment, Outreach and Engagement/Executive Director of the Ramapo College Foundation, the Director of Advancement (Director 1, D32) is responsible for a portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospects, private foundations/corporations, and donors. The Director of Advancement shall identify (with assistance from Prospect Research staff), engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, parents, and friends of Ramapo who have the financial capacity to make a gift of $10,000+. The Director will have annual expectations for philanthropic income produced, personal visits, and other actions with donors and prospects.

Examples of Duties

 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

  • Build up to an ultimate portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospects and donors.
  • Work closely with vice president and assistant vice president on major and planned gift prospects and donors.
  • Develop and execute strategies and detailed moves management plans for prospects.
  • Develop explicit strategy statements to include philanthropic interest; date of ask; ask amount; expected yield; and expected date of close for each prospect to be solicited in a given fiscal year.
  • Align major gift prospects and donors’ values, philanthropic interests, capacity, and passions with the priorities of Ramapo’s strategic plan and/or specific unit/school/college needs by refining and/or developing gift opportunities donors.
  • Participate in regular prospect screening and strategy sessions with Advancement and Alumni Relations staff, and use fundraising best practices and trends to inform decision making.
  • Conduct appropriate qualifying (identification/discovery); cultivation; solicitation; and stewardship activities.
  • Assess prospects’ ability and willingness to provide philanthropic support for Ramapo.
  • Cultivate relationships, solicit gifts, and provide excellent stewardship to donors of $10,000 and above, creatively using available resources.
  • Document all activities in Raiser’s Edge NXT, the College’s Advancement CRM, when fully implemented. Report, track, and forecast results from all activities. Provide regular reports on monthly, quarterly, and annual results.
  • Author and present written proposals appropriate to a prospect’s interest and financial ability.
  • Make the best and most effective use of natural partners (e.g., Ramapo administrators, faculty, alumni) in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
  • Serve as a liaison to specific schools and initiatives across the College; conduct regular meetings to discuss donor engagement, giving priorities, and potential donors for giving opportunities.
  • Leverage College and alumni events to cultivate, engage, and identify major gift prospects as appropriate.
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
 

REQUIREMENTS: (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work well with prospects, donors, and other volunteers with diplomacy, tact, and discretion.
  • Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and to creatively solve problems.
  • Ability to speak effectively and persuasively and to make presentations to individuals and small groups.
  • Ability to work independently. At the same time, ability to work effectively with diverse teams with both internal (faculty/staff) and external (alumni/parents) partners and volunteers.
  • Understanding, appreciation, and knowledge of the prospect/donor cycle: identification, engagement, cultivation, involvement, solicitation, stewardship.
  • Understanding and commitment to the mission, vision, and programs of Ramapo College.
 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Ability and willingness to travel.
  2. Night and weekend work will be required

Typical Qualifications

 

 

EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelor’s degree is required.
  • Master’s degree is preferred.
  • Five-to-seven years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, constituent relations, or a similar field is required.
  • Experience in face-to-face solicitations required. A demonstrated track record in securing major gifts is preferred.
  • Experience with Raiser’s Edge (preferred) or similar CRM is required.
  • Experience in higher education fundraising is preferred.
  • Knowledge of and experience with Moves Management system is preferred.
  • Planned giving knowledge and demonstrated success in closing planned gifts preferred.
 

Supplemental Information

 

 

EEO Statement:

Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs and other diversity programs. Ramapo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.

SAME APPLICANTS: If you are applying under the NJ SAME Program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: [email protected], or call CSC at (833) 691-0404. Please send an email to [email protected] confirming you applied through the NJ SAME program.


Ruotolo Associates works with Ramapo College of New Jersey on a pro bono basis.*