About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Director, Leadership Relations oversees global volunteer engagement, seeding long term philanthropic growth at the major and principal giving levels. Drive efforts to identify and cultivate new volunteer leaders (“Ambassadors”) and deepen relationships with existing ones through sophisticated, multidimensional strategies that offer the opportunity to create meaningful impact in the world, further shape personal and professional networks, and partake in lifelong learning.

Through collaboration with colleagues throughout the Advancement Division and across the university system, oversee a program that drives high-level engagement activity on a global scale. Oversee the creation and execution of volunteer cultivation portfolios and cohort plans that leverage exclusive signature affinity programs, networks and events; bringing together graduates, faculty, prospective students, and parents from around the world to engage meaningfully with society, the university and each other. Volunteer strategy includes the annual engagement plans for the Campaign Champions, the international communities, and signature global programs initiatives. Lead the design and launch of new networks, programs, and events to create even more opportunities for engagement.

Lead a high-performing team of engagement officers responsible for operationalizing global volunteer strategies by aiding in the identification and segmentation of volunteer prospects; establishing and communicating volunteer leadership recruitment timelines and volunteer initiatives and regional volunteer programming. Envision and oversee integral events and activities, plan and execute complex signature initiatives, in collaborate with the AVP, including, but not limited to, the Global Leadership Summit, the Intergenerational Leader Exchange, and Global Family programs.

Serves as an entrepreneurial engagement strategist who brings a thorough understanding of fundraising practices and a deep appreciation for higher education, drawing novel connections between people, concepts, and opportunities while working inside a fast-paced environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge and skills required for this position are normally obtained through a Bachelor's degree and eight years of progressive fundraising experience in alumni relations, stewardship, development, or a related function in higher education, including a minimum of three years of supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to think broadly and creatively about strategies to identify, engage and cultivate major and principal gift donors and prospects.
• Proven capacity for partnering with internal university stakeholders, including development colleagues, and external constituents, including alumni, parents, friends, and organizations, with a nuanced appreciation for how to solve challenges with each other’s resources.
• Experience working with high-net worth donors and prospects, preferably on an international scale.
• Global and cultural competency; brings an understanding and appreciation for other parts of the world, different religions, cultures, and points of view.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a leader and strategic thinker who thrives when working as a member of a dynamic team.
• Ability to troubleshoot and make sound decisions in response to rapidly changing situations.
• Skilled as an outstanding coach, mentor, and motivator of professionals, with a dedication to hiring, retaining, and developing outstanding talent.
• An ability to interpret, adapt and further develop the "language" of Northeastern University in describing its collective work, aspirations and impact.
• The ability and willingness to travel when required and as university policy allows. Travel is estimated at 25% and will include some international.
• Position is eligible for remote work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

1) VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT & CULTIVATION,
Directly support the major and principal giving pipelines by leading sophisticated, multigenerational engagement for current and future prospects—including faculty and staff, alumni, families, and students—through meaningful experiences that deepen relationships with and engender loyalty to the university. Enhance existing program infrastructure and build tailored programs of cultivation to better facilitate the work of the Leadership Relations team.

Operate in close partnership with the AVP to move prospects through specialized cultivation strategies in a networked model that will leverage existing syndicated content as well as the creation of new content. Build partnerships with university colleagues, establishing transparent workflows, and distinct roles and responsibilities around prospect cultivation and relationship management. Collaborate with varied university colleagues and leverage existing programs to achieve programmatic objectives. Utilize data to inform the program expansion, considering factors such as geography, regional economic trends, cultural nuances and prospect interests.

Oversee the personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of volunteer gifts driving participation and leadership giving, in partnership with International Advancement, Family Philanthropy, and Annual Giving. Leverage research and available donor data to identify highly engaged rated prospects and introduce them to appropriate Development colleagues for further cultivation at the major and principal giving levels. Activate prospective and current donors to engage their philanthropic and business networks in the interests of Northeastern University. Track and document information about prospects and donors and to enable periodic analysis of performance, metrics, and goals.

2) MANAGEMENT
Oversee hiring, orientation, and training of direct reports. Provide guidance, feedback, coaching, and mentorship to direct reports and lead by professional example to promote their professional and personal development. Provide daily management and professional development of the team members who report directly to this position, including annual goal setting and performance evaluation and indirect management to additional team members as applicable. Oversee and manage volunteer groups.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.