Our Mission

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Schools-based development team in Sargent College is looking for an Assistant Dean who will oversee the fund-raising activities for the college.

College of Health and Rehabilitation Science: Sargent College at Boston University

As one of the country’s leading schools of health and rehabilitation sciences, Sargent takes a deliberately interdisciplinary approach to house all our clinical programs – Health Sciences, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology - under one roof; this environment reflects the future of health care. Home to nearly 1500 graduate and undergraduate students, Sargent offers a close-knit, personal environment in a large, urban, research university. Professors are supportive, accessible and have a genuine connection to their students. Sargent faculty include some of the nation’s most respected leaders in health and rehabilitation. Across Sargent, we are joined by our shared commitment to, and responsibility for, facilitating and enhancing the participation of all people in our society. Our faculty and students are making a difference each day through their steadfast devotion to helping others. This core value motivates everything the Sargent College community does.

Assistant Dean, Development & Alumni Relations

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, School Development, the Assistant Dean for Development & Alumni Relations at Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is chiefly responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospects to secure major and principal gifts. Working with the Dean of Sargent College, the Vice President for Development, the Associate Vice President, School Development (AVP), the Assistant Vice President, School Development, the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) staff, and volunteers, the Assistant Dean will create, plan, advance and implement a wide range of fund-raising activities, strategies, programs, and priorities in support of Sargent College’s Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities:

• Actively maintain a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and cultivate, solicit, and steward them on behalf of Sargent. Craft and present proposals for major/principal gift solicitations and prepare other fundraising materials to be used to maximize philanthropy for the College’s key strategic priorities. In partnership with the Dean, manage the Sargent’s Dean’s Advisory Board. Work closely with board members to maximize their philanthropy to the College’s key strategic funding priorities.
• Lead fundraising, manage, and track specific fundraising initiatives as agreed by the Dean and School Development leaders in accordance with the University’s and the Colleges strategic priorities. Responsible for Campaign goals and planning. Partner with Dean to align college strategic fundraising initiatives to University Campaign priorities and goals.
• Work directly with the Dean and the College’s two boards: the Dean’s Advisory Board and the Clinical Advisory Board to advance the mission of Sargent College. Partner with Dean to cultivate, solicit, steward Board members. Work closely with Dean to set agendas, meetings, and oversee logistics.
• Initiate cultivation opportunities to identify new donors within the grateful patient populations of Sargent’s clinical centers including but not limited to: the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation (CPR), the Center for Neurorehabilitation (CNR), the Aphasia Resource Center (ARC), BU Physical Therapy Center (BUPTC), and the Center for Brain Recovery (CBR); liaise with Center Directors, faculty, and clinicians to review center donor lists, ensure HIPAA compliance, identify new potential donors, write appeals, host events, and provide development support and strategy for major donors. Manage the annual appeal cycle for Center solicitations.
• Serve as the Sargent College information resource for Development and Alumni Relations. Provide communication about specific departments and programs as well as overarching College-wide initiatives. Coordinate with Leadership Gift Officers, Planned Giving Officers, Principal Gift Officers, Annual Giving initiatives and fundraisers as well as the Office of Alumni Engagement in their activities on behalf of Sargent College and assist with linkage to the College’s faculty and staff as needed to advance prospect activity.
• Serve as a member of Sargent College’s senior leadership team representing DAR in certain Sargent College administrative and all college meetings and via other assignments as deemed critical to the fundraising and alumni relations agenda as set by the Dean and the Senior Director. Serve as key external spokesperson for the College.
• Supervise the office, budget, and fulfill administrative duties as required by DAR, Sargent College, and BU-wide operating procedures.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of experience
  • Individuals with a master’s degree and eight years of experience will be considered as well
• Strong development credentials including proven track record of building and developing a high-level portfolio
• Outstanding and successful experience as a fundraiser, including comprehensive management of major and principal gifts prospects
• Effective experience in enlisting and interacting with senior level leadership volunteers and committees
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
• Superb judgment and the sensibility to adjudicate wisely among competing priorities
• A disposition to listen and circulate widely
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Exceptional reasoning, problem-solving and analytical skills, including an ability to translate ideas and concepts into clear, actionable steps
• Superb organizational skills and the ability to multi-task
• Ability to work independently as well collaboratively with team members
• Energy and stamina, self-confidence and humility, a strong sense of purpose, a tolerance for ambiguity and a sense of humor
• Extensive travel, nights and weekends required.

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. **** If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: **** https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of experience
  • Individuals with a master’s degree and eight years of experience will be considered as well
• Strong development credentials including proven track record of building and developing a high-level portfolio
• Outstanding and successful experience as a fundraiser, including comprehensive management of major and principal gifts prospects
• Effective experience in enlisting and interacting with senior level leadership volunteers and committees
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
• Superb judgment and the sensibility to adjudicate wisely among competing priorities
• A disposition to listen and circulate widely
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Exceptional reasoning, problem-solving and analytical skills, including an ability to translate ideas and concepts into clear, actionable steps
• Superb organizational skills and the ability to multi-task
• Ability to work independently as well collaboratively with team members
• Energy and stamina, self-confidence and humility, a strong sense of purpose, a tolerance for ambiguity and a sense of humor
• Extensive travel, nights and weekends required.

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. **** If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: **** https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.