National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Title: Development Director (89)
Location: NRAO Array Operations Center, SOCORRO, New Mexico, United States of America• NRAO Albuquerque Office, ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, United States of America
Requisition Number: 89
Job Family: Advancement
Pay Type: Salary
Required Education: ADM

POSITION SUMMARY

Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI) manages the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia, and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.
AUI is currently seeking a Development Director for NRAO. The Development Director will focus on planning, managing, and coordinating all fundraising activities including: the major gifts program, annual fund, planned giving, special events, and capital campaigns. The Director works closely with the NRAO Director and the Assistant Director for Education and Public Outreach in all development and fund-raising endeavors. A major project underway is a capital campaign to reinvent our existing visitor’s center as a modern interpretive center, to better serve our many visitors and enhance an understanding of the Observatory’s work. This position is funded by AUI Corporate support.
The position will be based in New Mexico, either Albuquerque or Socorro.

COMPETENCY SUMMARY

• Must have knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques, particularly major gift fundraising.
• Experience with or interest in science, engineering, mathematics and education highly preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state legislation affecting charities.
• Knowledge of special events planning and management.
• Knowledge of the management of volunteer resources.
• Strong personal ethics to ensure own behavior and the behavior of other are consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• High level of competency in Microsoft software products and web-based systems, such as visio and Sharepoint.
• Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills.
• Possess the skills to work with and motivate staff and volunteers.

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Work closely with the AUI President and the NRAO Director to establish annual fund-raising goals.
• Develop, plan, manage, and coordinate all fundraising program activities, including but not limited to: major gifts program, annual fund, planned giving, special events, membership programs, and capital campaigns, to meet annual goals.
• Identify and evaluate giving potential of prospects; develop cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Actively solicit, cultivate, qualify a portfolio of giving prospects (individual and corporate donors) and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits and bringing gift solicitations to closure. Provides advice on specific devices for giving, both current and deferred, to maximize gift and tax benefits.
• Work proactively to ensure successful prospect and pipeline management.
• Responsible for effective prospect tracking, record keeping, reporting and administration aligned with established metrics and periodic reporting requirements.
• Build relationships with community stakeholders to advance the mission and fundraising goals of the organization.
• Schedule and arrange on-site and off-site meetings and cultivation/recognition events such as research presentations, center dedications, cultivation and stewardship visits with organization leaders and the major gift donors and prospects; develop agendas and coordinate the participation of leaders and volunteers.
• Craft development communication to promote the organization to its donors and maximize public awareness of the fundraising activities of the organization.
• Prepare and direct preparation of leadership, principal and major gift proposals, solicitation letters, and other cultivation materials and stewardship information for major gift prospects and donors.
• Identify, enlist, motivate, guide, and support volunteers for participation in major solicitations.
• Prepare and deliver presentations as they relate to fundraising.
• Provide education and training to staff and volunteer about the dynamics of fundraising and foster an understanding of philanthropy within the organization.
• Coordinate the design, printing and distribution of marketing and communication materials for development efforts that are synergistic with other organizational communications (press releases, social media and website).
• Work with consultants as needed in prospect research.