Executive Brief

Director of Development, COLA
University of New Hampshire

About the University

As New Hampshire’s flagship public research institution, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is committed to pursuing research that contributes to the greater good. With award-winning faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and a main campus within reach of everything from the mountains and ocean to the major metropolitan hub of Boston, UNH puts students, faculty and staff at the edge of possible.

For more than 150 years, UNH has delivered hands-on learning, research, and work experiences that bring together students, faculty, and private and public partners to create life-changing opportunities and innovative solutions in our neighborhoods and across the world.

Today, the University offers 11 schools and colleges with 200 programs; more than 100 major fields of study; 11,500+ undergraduate students and 2,466 graduate students; 18 Division 1 athletic teams; and a main campus 100% powered by renewal electricity.

Academics

The opportunities are endless. UNH's 11 schools and colleges offer 200 programs in more than 100 major fields of study. Students have direct access to award-winning professors with a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. After they graduate, students enjoy lifelong support through their office of Career and Professional Success.

Alumni

Notable Wildcats include writer John Irving, “Frozen” director Jennifer Lee, astronaut Richard Linnehan, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Carlton Fisk, Gen. Lori Robinson, first woman to lead a major combat command – just to name a few. Each year, nearly 4,000 Wildcats join the UNH network of more than 133,000 alumni worldwide.

Research

From the uncharted ocean depths to edge of our solar system to the earth we call home, UNH research transforms lives and delivers solutions to global problems. Powered by more than $100 million in competitive external support, UNH is in the top 20 percent of universities nationwide for research and funding.

State Impact

UNH contributes more than $1.5 billion to the New Hampshire economy each year, and provides direct support to more than 3,000 in-state businesses and organizations. Their reach extends from rural classrooms to New Hampshire's farms, fields and forests, to workplaces large and small across the state.

University of New Hampshire, College of Liberal Arts (COLA)

The College of Liberal Arts at the University of New Hampshire is distinguished by the people, the mission and the place. The Liberal Arts are central to the mission of UNH, a public flagship land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant university. The college's faculty members produce world-class research and practice transformational teaching. They are committed to inclusion, sustainability and interdisciplinary work. They are stewards of the beautiful Seacoast region of New Hampshire and the world beyond. The Liberal Arts at UNH are engaged in responding to the grand challenges of today and tomorrow. Through rigorous coursework, experiential learning and the Office of Career and Professional Success, COLA prepares students for fulfilling careers and flourishing lives.

UNH, COLA - Leadership Spotlight

Michele Dillon - Dean, COLA

Michele Dillon
Dean, COLA


Michele Dillon, Ph.D., is Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and the UNH Class of 1944 Professor of Sociology. Educated at University College Dublin and the University of California-Berkeley, her research focuses on autonomy and authority in the Catholic Church; moral politics; religion, spirituality and aging; and religion and cultural change. Her publications include Postsecular Catholicism: Relevance and Renewal (Oxford University Press, 2018); Catholic Identity: Balancing Reason, Faith, and Power (Cambridge University Press, 1999); American Catholics in Transition (co-authors W. D’Antonio & M. Gautier; Rowman & Littlefield, 2013); In the Course of a Lifetime: Tracing Religious Belief, Practice and Change (co-author Paul Wink; University of California Press, 2007) - named by Choice as an outstanding title of 2007; Debating Divorce: Moral Conflict in Ireland (University Press of Kentucky, 1993); Handbook of the Sociology of Religion (editor, Cambridge University Press, 2003); Introduction to Sociological Theory (Wiley-Blackwell, 3rd ed., 2020), Concise Reader in Sociological Theory (editor, Wiley 2021), and over 50 book chapters and articles in journals such as Sociological Theory, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Sociology of Religion, Public Opinion Quarterly, Journal of Adult Development, and Research on Aging. Dr. Dillon’s research has been supported by grants from the John Templeton Foundation, the Louisville Institute, the Fetzer Institute, and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, among other entities. She was honored in 2011 as the 11th Annual Anne Drummey O'Callaghan Lecturer on Women in the Church, at Fairfield University; and in 2011-12 was the JE and Lillian Byrne Tipton Distinguished Visiting Professor in Catholic Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara. Professor Dillon has served as President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Chair of the American Sociological Association Section on the Sociology of Religion, and President of the Association for the Sociology of Religion. She is frequently interviewed by regional, national and international media outlets on matters pertaining to religion and, in 2021, was listed in the world's top 2 percent of researchers (in a study published in PLOS Biology Journal).

Giving at the University of New Hampshire

Strengthen. Support. Provide. Enhance. Address.

The UNH Foundation was established in 1989 to build private support for the University of New Hampshire. Their energetic team of dedicated professionals works in concert with the University to strengthen programs, support deserving students, provide opportunities for our talented faculty, enhance facilities, and address other areas of need.

UNH provides countless experiential learning opportunities that allow students to grow both academically and personally outside of the classroom. Thanks to so many generous supporters, they can take advantage of these amazing activities and focus on their education instead of how they’ll afford their tuition.

The FAIR (Forensic Anthropology Identity and Recovery) Lab, a recipient of philanthropic support in the College of Liberal Arts to help support their efforts in forensic research and solving cold cases in collaboration with the NH state police. This lab operates out of Morrill Hall and is made up of roughly eight students each semester (two paid positions and five to six volunteers) who use real-world cold cases and long unidentified remains as coursework to learn more about this area of anthropology. Gifts to the College of Liberal Art’s Dean’s Fund and support from the Dr. Garcia-Putnam's Post-Doctoral Diversity and Innovation Scholar Fund were used to outfit the lab with necessary equipment and tools, to pay COLA students working in the lab, covered the cost of analytical tests for cold cases, and bought relevant subscription services for research in Forensic Anthropology.

I came to The University of New Hampshire because it was my state school and all my family and I could afford. Initially, I was upset about the outcome of where life had brought me for higher education, but the community and support of COLA, the Anthropology Department, the Justice Studies Department, and the FAIR Lab have made this campus feel like home. I have been provided with great opportunities, like being funded for internships, paid for managerial positions in the lab, and have received scholarships for the work that I have done throughout my college career. The funding I have received has helped me get through college financially and has allowed me to earn money while working in areas that are of interest to me. I would not be able to attend UNH and still focus so much on my academics without the aid from people like you, who not only fund the wonderful resources we have at UNH, but also the people behind them. Thank you! - Ella Tartsa ‘26

The Role & Opportunity: Director of Development, COLA

University of New Hampshire - Director of Development, COLA (Job Description)

Position Summary

Experienced and successful fundraiser responsible for planning and implementing a coordinated program of fundraising activities. Uses advanced relationship building skills to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major and principal gift individual, corporate, and/or foundation prospects. Establishes and effectively manages relationships, with critical, high-profile prospects. Designs and implements strategic fundraising plans. Leverages special events to involve and cultivate prospects. Collaborates with deans and faculty, and coordinates with other development and alumni relations staff. Identifies stewardship opportunities for major donors. May service complex fundraising market or regions. Typically solicits gifts in the range of $100,000 to $5,000,000 and manages a prospect pool of approximately 60-80 individuals. The monetary goal for a Director of Development varies by school/unit and may range from $750,000 to $3,000,000 annually. This position will interact on a regular basis with major and principal donors and prospective donors. This position typically will advise and counsel: Deans, school chairs, faculty, academic unit and program leadership, unit volunteer leadership, and other development officers. This position will manage two Associate Directors of Development.

Role and Responsibilities

Job Duties / Responsibilities:
  • Design and implement comprehensive fundraising plans for assigned college, school, program, region, or constituency.
     
  • Use advanced professional relationship building skills to develop and implement plans and strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gift donors and prospective donors.
     
  • Close major gifts and commitments, personally and consistently, with a typical gift solicitation range of $100,000 to $5 million. Maintain ongoing relationships and provide exceptional donor stewardship to encourage future giving.
     
  • Establish and maintain a high degree of collaboration with other development officers and staff, as well as deans, school chairs, faculty, and other Institute academic and executive officers.
     
  • Submit timely contact reports, prospect plans, and solicitations into tracking system.
     
  • Prepare written development materials including case statements, proposals, and fundraising initiative/ campaign related literature for assigned college, school, and/ or program(s).
     
  • Manage special events and/ or advisory board meetings to involve and cultivate prospects.
     
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Expectations

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
     
  • Four to six years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising and/or relevant experience in sales and marketing, or other related fields.
     
  • Travel is an essential part of the position as is participation in evening and weekend activities.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's Degree.
     
  • Eight plus years of proven experience and results in soliciting and closing seven-figure major gifts in a higher education setting and a campaign environment.
     
  • Multiple years of proven experience successfully managing and helping professionals grow in their respective fields.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Broad knowledge of fundraising approaches and the highest levels of interpersonal skills, ethical standards, and good judgement.
     
  • Excellent skills in building long-term relationships, and persuasive written and verbal communications skills.
     
  • Effective skills in leadership and team management.
     
  • Efficient skills in prioritizing, negotiating, influencing, strategic planning, project management program administration and organization, as well as self-motivation, ability to work independently and as a team member, and capacity for multi-tasking.
     
  • Use of office-related computer applications is required.

The Future of UNH: Four Strategic Priorities

Four strategic priorities are guiding UNH toward a bold, overarching aspiration – to be among the nation’s top 25 public universities in the most important measures of academic performance.

Enhance Student Success and Well-Being

UNH will ensure that all students graduate on time and are engaged and ethical global citizens. They will be prepared to thrive in their first jobs and throughout their careers. UNH will become a national leader in designing the educational experience from the first year to graduation.

Expand Academic and Research Excellence

UNH will attract increasingly strong and diverse students and faculty from across the country and abroad. The university will be known and respected for the high caliber of teaching, research and advising in its academic programs. Its distinguished research, scholarship and doctoral education will be recognized worldwide, including its contributions to global sustainability challenges.

Embrace New Hampshire

UNH will work hard to make everyone in New Hampshire incredibly proud of their flagship public university. Students will grow up here wanting to come to UNH, and it will be the first choice for the best and brightest students from New Hampshire and around the world. UNH will build collaborations that support New Hampshire’s economy and quality of life, sustainability and resilience and will be a trusted, valuable and consistent partner.

Build Financial Strength

UNH will be a national leader in long-term cost management, sustainable investing and aligning its budget and resources with its strategic priorities. UNH will become more accessible and affordable for students by diversifying revenue sources and managing resource use and expenses. UNH will meet the full range of student needs by providing world-class faculty, facilities and organization.

Contact Information:

The University of New Hampshire has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:

Lisa Vuona
Managing Partner, Boston
lvuona@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.

Jill Coran
Executive Search Consultant, Boston
jcoran@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Jill began as a recruiter, transitioning seamlessly to Human Resources Management after several successful years. She has diverse experience in the dot com, biotechnology, and media industries. After taking time to raise her children, Jill returned as a Human Resource Manager for a multimedia company. In this role, she excelled in recruiting, administering benefits, and managing employee relations. Jill's passion continues to be connecting top talent and organizations, both locally and nationally.

Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more