Assistant Director, Major Gifts

Overview

Cambridge in America

From its location in New York City, Cambridge in America (CAm) promotes interest in and support for the University of Cambridge (UK) and its constituent Colleges among alumni and friends in the United States and in the Americas. Cambridge in America runs alumni and development programs aimed at showcasing the best of Cambridge, working in partnership with University and College leadership. A historic institution of higher education in the United Kingdom, Cambridge consistently ranks among the very top research universities worldwide, with more than 18,000 students from all walks of life and all corners of the world, nearly 9,000 staff, 31 Colleges and 150 Departments, Faculties, Schools, and other institutions. Sustaining a university of this caliber demands continual investment, therefore fundraising efforts and innovative partnerships are vital and an essential element of the work of Cambridge in America. During the last five years, more than $289 million has been raised by Cambridge in America. Currently Collegiate Cambridge is in a £2 billion GBP campaign, and it is an exceptionally exciting time to join the high-performing team at Cambridge in America.

Assistant Director, Major Gifts

The Assistant Director (AD), Major Gifts will be responsible for managing a portfolio of approximately 125 to 150 prospects and donors capable of making five figure gifts and above. The AD is based in New York and will cultivate, steward, and solicit donors and prospects in key cities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US including, but not limited to Washington, D.C., Miami, Austin/Dallas, Chicago, and Denver. The AD will work in collaboration with CAm development staff, as well as colleagues from the University of Cambridge (UK) and the constituent Cambridge Colleges.  The AD will be a member of the fundraising team with two counterparts managing New England, the Pacific Northwest, and California as well as colleagues handling principal and planned gifts.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Director of Development and Regional Strategy, responsibilities will include:
• Management of a targeted portfolio of individual alumni, non-alumni and a small pool of corporate and foundation prospects, as assigned.
• In coordination with the Director of Development and Regional Strategy and specified CAm, College, and University staff, develop and implement an annual plan for prospect outreach, visits, and asks for individual alumni prospects to reach activity and solicitation goals.
• Ensure appropriate support for fundraising work with prospects, including updating and maintaining donor files, databases, research, and proposal information, among other functions.
• Assist with implementation and staffing of CAm and University of Cambridge events, including occasional night and weekend events and regular travel to the Mid-Atlantic and other assigned regions. Handling occasional donor and prospect inquiries and requests by phone and email.
• In collaboration with the Manager, Board and Volunteer Programs, the AD will work with volunteers and manage the Washington DC Regional Committee.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Development and Regional Strategy.

 Qualifications

• Two to five years of experience in development with demonstrated results in fundraising from individuals and in complex gift solicitations. A minimum of 2 to 3 years direct experience in face-to-face fundraising.
• Knowledge of Mid-Atlantic region’s philanthropic community and trends highly desired.
• Capacity to develop trust and maintain highly collegial and collaborative working relationships among staff and volunteers as well as the Cambridge community.
• A high degree of professionalism, including the demonstrated ability to manage responsibilities with accountability, flexibility, integrity, and tact.
• Outstanding organizational skills.
• Results-oriented with a demonstrated ability for excellent project management from inception to completion and follow-up.
• Ability to pursue plans effectively or change course if necessary and to facilitate projects in “start-up mode.”
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally. Annual travel time is approximately 25%–40% during each fiscal year.
• Ability to work in the US.
• Bachelor’s degree required. Graduate degree recommended.

CAm is currently operating on a hybrid schedule of three days working in the office and two days working remotely.

It is CAm’s policy that all staff be fully vaccinated. Please note that proof of vaccination will be required.

To apply for the position please send a cover letter and resume.

A cover letter is an integral part of the application process and must be submitted with a resume to be considered for the position.

CAm is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity (“EEO”) laws. CAm prohibits discrimination against employees and applicants for employment because of the individual’s race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, or any other characteristic protected by law.