Director of Strategic Partnerships

About the role

Ashesi University is looking for a Director of Strategic Partnerships to bring fundraising experience to the university's mission. The role works with an international team of staff, board members and advocates to identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate and steward gifts, focusing on gifts of $25,000 USD or more, mostly from individuals but also involving corporations and foundations. It sits in an Advancement Team made up of staff of Ashesi University, Ashesi University Foundation (US) and Ashesi Foundation Canada, and reports to the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Ashesi University Foundation.

Key responsibilities

• Represent Ashesi to individuals, foundations and corporations interested in supporting ethical, entrepreneurial leaders in Africa.
• Manage a portfolio of 100 major gift prospects, aiming for at least 100 substantive conversations and 12 major gifts closed each year.
• Partner with the Foundation Vice President, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Director of Advancement Services and University Leadership to identify engagement opportunities and develop gift strategies.
• Prepare proposals, endowment agreements, gift illustrations and related materials.
• Contribute to the prospect management and tracking system.
• Coordinate administrators, academics, volunteers and advancement staff in major gift activities and events.
• Set personal goals and strategies for major gift fundraising with the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships.
• Additional duties may include growing alumni philanthropy, supporting advancement efforts of faculty, staff and board members, creating donor experiences for visitors, representing the university at conferences, supporting award nominations and taking part in fundraising training.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience, with a proven track record in individual, corporate and foundation major gift fundraising; higher education advancement experience preferred.
• Deep commitment to Ashesi's mission of educating ethical, entrepreneurial leaders in Africa.
• Proven success building strong professional relationships across cultures and backgrounds.
• Clear oral and written communication skills.
• Resilient, adaptable and able to balance independent work with team collaboration.

Required skills

• Strong working knowledge of donor database programs; Salesforce preferred.
• Technical savviness, strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and quick ability to learn new systems.

What we offer

• Compensation regularly reviewed against industry benchmarks.
• Health insurance, retirement benefits and paid leave.
• Ongoing learning, development and research opportunities.