Director of Development Asian University for Women Support Foundation (AUWSF)

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Organization

The Asian University for Women Support Foundation (AUWSF) is a U.S. 501 (c)(3) Cambridge-based organization that serves as the principal fundraising arm of the Asian University for Women (AUW), located in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The Asian University for Women is an emerging regional center of excellence that offers a liberal arts education and leadership development to young women from all across Asia and the Middle East, regardless of background. Currently, AUW has over 400 students from 12 countries throughout the region, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, the People's Republic of China, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. The University is in its fourth year of operations.

Position

The Director of Development reports to the President/CEO of AUWSF and will be responsible for fundraising and donor relations. S/he will manage and direct all of the development efforts, including general and major giving from individuals, foundation relations, corporate partners, event fundraising, and government funding.

Responsibilities

- Plan and execute the various activities that ensure annual fundraising goals are met, including individual giving, foundation grants, corporate support, and government funding. AUWSF’s fundraising goal was $12 million in 2011 for operating expenses, plus an additional amount for capital projects.

- Articulate a development growth strategy to meet the current and future needs of the organization in the form of a multi-year, strategic plan for development.

- Personally cultivate, maintain, and nurture relationships with major individual/institutional donors and solicit support as needed.

- Expand visibility and support within foundations, corporations, bilateral and multilateral organizations, and other target donor constituencies.

- Design a prospecting program to identify potential donors so as to broaden AUWSF’s base of support over time and support increased major gifts activity.

- Lead the Development team and manage future recruiting of new staff as appropriate.

- Direct operational aspects of development department including database (Raiser's Edge) management, recordkeeping, and reporting.

- In collaboration with the President/CEO, play a key role in developing fundraising messages that align with the organizational vision and capture the unique mission of AUW. Oversee the creation and management of fundraising materials incorporating these messages.

- Work with the AUWSF Board of Directors and international support groups to maximize their interests, time and abilities to further the fundraising effort.

- Provide staff support to the Development Committee of the Board of Directors, including engaging members in development of creative fundraising strategies and supporting the committee's involvement in fundraising execution.

Professional Experience/Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a strong development track record and 5-7 years of fundraising leadership experience, preferably with a background in Asia, higher education, international development, and/or women’s issues.

Specific previous experiences and qualifications include:

- Passionate belief in the Asian University for Women’s mission, vision, and values.

- Strong sensitivity and commitment to cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual, and socioeconomic diversity.

- Have the ability to design and implement a comprehensive development program and demonstrated skill in the full spectrum of development activities.

- Enjoy the challenges of a leadership role, including managing people and processes, as well as multiple and competing priorities.

- Demonstrate strong communication skills, including the ability to write clearly and persuasively and to generate excitement about the mission of AUW.

- Succeed in building and maintaining relationships with individual donors and a successful track record of soliciting major individual gifts

- Be able to think strategically and execute with a sense of urgency.

- Offer business acumen, be accountable for her/his work and demonstrate high level of personal integrity.

- Have experience with Raiser's Edge (preferred).

- Willing to travel frequently both domestically and internationally.

- Hold a B.A./B.S. degree (required); Master's degree preferred.

To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to kamal.ahmad@asian-university.org.