Capital Development Services is proud to partner with Elon University in the search for an Executive Director of Campaign Operations. The Executive Director will serve as a leader in the Office of University Advancement.

Elon University is recognized as the preeminent university for engaged learning, preparing students to put their knowledge into action on campus, in the community and around the world. Elon is regularly cited as one of the great success stories in higher education. The University is a selective, mid-sized private institution renowned as a national model for engaged and experiential learning. Students work closely with faculty who are dedicated to excellent teaching and scholarship. The curriculum is grounded in the traditional liberal arts and sciences and complemented by nationally accredited professional and graduate programs.

In its 2015 "America's Best Colleges" guide, U.S. News & World Report ranks Elon #1 among Southern master's-level universities and recognizes Elon more often than any other university in the nation for programs that are "Focused on Student Success." Elon's beautiful and historic 620-acre campus in central North Carolina is designated as a botanical garden, and is consistently recognized as one of the nation's most beautiful collegiate environments. The campus includes the 56-acre Elon University Forest, a land preserve and natural area for scientific research. Elon's historic campus is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, adjacent to Burlington, a city of 50,000 and in one of the fastest growing areas in North Carolina. Elon is just twenty minutes from Greensboro and less than a one-hour drive from Raleigh/Durham.

The Executive Director of Campaign Operations will serve on the University’s senior advancement team and will be an inspirational leader and colleague. The Executive Director will have direct responsibility for the supervision of fundraising programs that support all aspects of the capital campaign and will work closely with Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. As a key member of the University advancement team, the Executive Director will report to the Associate Vice President for University Advancement, and will work closely with the Vice President for University Advancement, President, Deans, and other volunteers and development staff to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects for campaign commitments in support of university initiatives and priorities.

The Executive Director should have a good sense of the balance between the art and science of development. The Executive Director will oversee campaign operations in conjunction with leadership; supervise the preparation and delivery of development reports; review and approve proposals; support the identification and solicitation of major gift prospects; provide supervisory functions for major gift fundraisers; and participate in fundraising by actively assisting with major gift prospects including solicitations as appropriate. The successful candidate will have a solid understanding of best practices. The successful candidate will bring strategic vision and discipline to the program, specifically as it pertains to campaign goals and objectives. He/she will be passionate about Elon University’s mission.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides leadership for the comprehensive campaign including strategic planning, management, execution and coordination with other divisions in order to achieve goals. Oversees the campaign committee, regional chairs, and other volunteers. Manages overall comprehensive strategy.
• In partnership with the Vice President and Associate Vice President, he/she will oversee the process of developing the campaign’s formal identity and theme and be charged with communicating the campaign brand both internally and externally. Responsible for overseeing all campaign communications and working with staff to prepare and maintain a campaign website and develop all print materials related to the campaign.
• Develop and clearly communicate campaign timelines, establish and monitor goals, and coordinate appropriate events related to the campaign.
• He/she will work closely with the Associate Vice President for Advancement to monitor and report on progress with the University’s most important donor prospects on campaign priorities.
• Lead the University’s regional campaign organization during the public phase. He/she will oversee the formation of regional campaign volunteer committees and will support regional major gift officers in staffing these committees.
• Expected to prepare and deliver campaign reports that analyze campaign progress at all levels. 
• Play a central role in designing the public kick-off and launch of the campaign. He/she will be expected to help ensure that the celebration reflects the campaign philosophy and priorities. During the public phase the Executive Director will continue to organize and oversee the campaign committee and work closely with others to develop volunteer organizations. This will include preparation of model volunteer job descriptions, volunteer handbook and training program.
  

Candidates must have a proven ability to lead, motivate, and mentor staff and high-level volunteers, as well as the talent to successfully manage broad members and diverse program areas. Top candidates will have experience working within a comprehensive campaign, a strong track record of raising significant gifts, and the personal energy, enthusiasm and drive to set and achieve ambitious goals. A collegial, collaborative and accessible leadership style is essential, as are the creativity, energy and political savvy needed to introduce, inspire, and champion new ideas. Candidates must possess a high level of integrity, be a self-starter, and have the ability to adapt to -- and lead within -- changing circumstances and environments. The ideal candidate will have 5 – 7 plus years’ experience in fundraising that includes the direct management of professional fundraising staff.

• Serve as a member of the University Advancement leadership team and foster collaboration within the department and across the campus. Act as a representative of Elon to a wide range of external constituencies and stakeholders.
• Serve as a proactive and responsive partner to administrators, faculty, and staff across the university, effectively addressing both opportunities and concerns.
• Systematically engage academic leadership and faculty in the fundraising process, assisting them to build and strengthen relationships with alumni and friends and to leverage the interest and support of their most successful constituents and stakeholders.
• Lead by example, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Inspire, motivate, and actively mentor staff with transparent communication and an open, inclusive approach.
• Implement best practices, utilizing clear, measurable performance metrics and strengthening a culture of accountability through the use of data, performance dashboards, and ongoing communications. Provide meaningful opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Participate in all personnel activities, including recruitment, hiring, training, and retention of staff, as well as defining job responsibilities and implementing the performance review process.
• Identify and develop plans for new fundraising initiatives.
• Maintain an active personal portfolio of prospects as appropriate in light of management responsibilities.
• Attend departmental, college, and university advancement and alumni functions as appropriate.
• Perform evening and weekend work as appropriate. Commitment to travel as required.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

Elon University has retained Capital Development Services to assist with professional recruitment. Candidates should include a cover letter, a resume, and a list of three references. All material will be confidential. Additional inquiries may be directed to Capital Development Services, 336-747-0133 x 208.