Director of Development

Position Focus:

Yale University seeks a dynamic, talented and experienced fundraiser to build a comprehensive fundraising program supporting Yale Schwarzman Center (YSC). Reporting to both the Executive Director of Yale Schwarzman Center and the Yale College Director of Development (DOD) and serving as a member of the Schwarzman Center’s Leadership Team, the Director of Development engages and solicits prospective donors for gifts and plays a central role collaborating with the Center’s staff and fundraisers across the university. Yale Schwarzman Center is a commons for university life where art, culinary, and wellness experiences converge to build bridges, nurture creativity, and foster kinship and belonging. Through unexpected connections and collaborations and inspired by its architecture, artists and members of the Yale and New Haven communities engage with creativity through programming that ranges from the intimate to the grand.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Development is responsible for helping set and communicate the Center’s fundraising priorities in accordance with the organization’s mission and strategic plan, completed in February 2024. This includes identifying and cultivating relationships with Advisory Board members, alumni, parents, friends and local community members. The Director of Development oversees and manages personalized visits to campus, tours, and other activities to inspire and strengthen relationships with new donors and friends. In collaboration with the Center’s Executive Director and the Yale College DOD, the Director of Development serves as a critical liaison in pursuing the work of the current Advisory Board, which includes high-net worth individuals and celebrity artists, while expanding the membership, and serving as a key contact for the Schwarzman Foundation. The Director of Development is responsible for excellent written communications including donor correspondence, gift/grant proposals, administrator briefings, and stewardship. The Director of Development collaborates closely with the central Office of Development and Yale Schwarzman Center leadership on creative engagement strategies including conducting research, writing, coordinating cultivation events, developing itineraries, reporting on activity, and tracking expenditures.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is interested in building a comprehensive fundraising program integral to the early success of an innovative new cultural hub. Yale Schwarzman Center is a new facility with a bold mission and possesses the potential to be not only a destination for artistic excellence, but also a place to strengthen connections and relationships across the Yale University community and with the city of New Haven.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned fundraiser who is motivated and eager to embrace the culture of a burgeoning start-up organization. This is a hybrid role with a minimum in-office expectation of 3 days per week. To achieve fundraising goals, this position requires some overnight travel to meet with donors, as well as critical attendance at Center events, including nights and weekends as needed. Yale Schwarzman Center is building an inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist organization made up of individuals who share and support the goals set forth in the Center’s mission, and who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

Learn more here: https://schwarzman.yale.edu/

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of six or more years of experience in development/fundraising, or other relationship-building areas in complex organizations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with special emphasis on advanced writing ability. Experience synthesizing and prioritizing information from a wide array of sources while maintaining attention to detail and effectively managing overall workflow.
• Demonstrates initiative, drive, and resiliency to secure meetings with prospective donors. Creative, innovative, flexible, with excellent organizational and analytical skills. Demonstrates emotional intelligence as well as intellectual and social curiosity.
• Commitment to an inclusive workplace. Ability to engage with diverse audiences (age, gender, nationality, race/ethnicity, profession, sexual orientation, etc.).
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects effectively and maintain a high degree of professionalism in a complex team-oriented, environment. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality. Proficiency using standard office software including Word and Excel. Comfort using new technology such as database systems.
• The interest and ability to be an active presence at the Center to look for opportunities to engage new donors on content. Willingness to attend nights and weekend activities to achieve engagement and fundraising objectives. Willingness and ability to travel in keeping with university guidelines.

Preferred skills:

Experience fundraising in the arts and/or the nonprofit sector, especially higher education.

Familiarity with event planning, organizing and staffing site visits.

Experience with the cultural sector (nonprofit and/or commercial such as TV/film/media, theater, dance, music, comedy).