Director, Development (America)

INSEAD

$125K — $150K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced training in philanthropy or related fields is advantageous.
  • Minimum 10 years' experience in face-to-face fundraising or senior-level stakeholder management, preferably in education.
  • Demonstrated success in closing gifts of €100K+ or equivalent complex deals.
  • Proven portfolio management and pipeline development experience with consistent revenue delivery.
  • Strong understanding of the North American fundraising market and engagement with senior donors.

Responsibilities

  • Own and manage a personal portfolio of high-potential North America-based prospects.
  • Close major gifts in the €100K-€1M range to meet ambitious revenue targets.
  • Build and sustain a robust prospect pipeline for long-term revenue growth.
  • Identify and advance next-generation top prospects in North America, focusing on the U.S.
  • Develop tailored solicitation strategies aligned with donor interests and institutional priorities.
  • Travel within the U.S. to engage donors and accelerate philanthropic outcomes.
  • Collaborate with team members to ensure effective donor relationship management.

Benefits

  • Flexible working location with a hybrid model of on-campus and remote work.
  • Opportunity for a fully remote arrangement for candidates outside San Francisco.
  • Join a supportive Advancement department dedicated to fundraising and community engagement.
  • Work with a global team and contribute to high-impact fundraising strategies.
Full Job Description
Job Description

INSEAD is seeking a Director, Development (North America) to join our Advancement Department. This is a full-time, permanent position that offers flexibility in location. It can be based at our Europe campus in Fontainebleau, France or at our San Francisco Hub in North America, with a hybrid working model of 3 days on campus and 2 days remote. For candidates outside the San Francisco area, a fully remote working arrangement may be considered.

About the Job

Reporting to the Executive Director, Development, you will oversee face-to-face fundraising and pipeline development between €10k and €1million across North America, driving revenue growth and building a sustainable pipeline of high-potential donors. You will own and actively manage a personal portfolio of high-value prospects, delivering direct revenue through disciplined qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. In partnership with the Director of Principal Giving in North America, you will strategically contribute to the overall pipeline strength and performance of INSEAD's North America fundraising efforts.

Your role within the team
  • Own and manage a personal portfolio of high-potential North America-based prospects.
  • Personally close major gifts in the €100K-€1M range, delivering ambitious individual revenue targets in support of institutional priorities.
  • Build and sustain a robust prospect pipeline, ensuring consistent progression and long-term revenue growth across the donor lifecycle.
  • Identify, qualify, and advance the next generation of top North America prospects, with a strong focus on the United States.
  • Develop and execute tailored solicitation strategies, aligned with donor interests and institutional priorities.
  • Undertake regular travel within the United States to engage donors, deepen relationships, and accelerate philanthropic outcomes.
  • Work in close partnership with the Executive Director and Director of Principal Giving, North America to support regional strategy and pipeline performance to ensure donors relationships are managed well.
  • Fully integrate an end-to-end North America fundraising strategy, including key fundraising volunteers, the INSEAD Board representatives, colleagues and local associations.
  • Collaborate closely with global Advancement colleagues, faculty, senior leadership, and volunteers to deliver a coordinated and integrated fundraising approach.
  • Represent INSEAD at events and engagement activities across the region.
  • Maintain accurate and timely CRM records, ensuring high standards of data quality, planning, and reporting.

The Ideal Candidate Profile
  • English fluency. A second language is beneficial but not required.
  • Bachelor's degree required; advanced training in philanthropy, non-profit management, or related fields an advantage. An MBA or equivalent global experience is a plus.
  • Minimum 10 years' experience in face-to-face gifts fundraising or senior-level stakeholder relationship management, ideally within an educational institution.
  • Demonstrated success closing gifts of €100K+ (or equivalent complex deal-making experience).
  • Proven track record of portfolio management, pipeline development, and consistent delivery against revenue targets.
  • Strong understanding of the North America fundraising market, with experience engaging senior donors, volunteers, and board-level stakeholders.
    Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to articulate INSEAD's mission and translate it into compelling philanthropic cases.
  • Ability to build trusted, long-term relationships with donors and stakeholders, proactively anticipating their interests and aligning them with INSEAD's strategic priorities to deliver meaningful philanthropic outcomes.
  • Able to consistently deliver at the highest standard, demonstrate sound judgement and integrity, and take full ownership of ambitious goals in a complex, international environment.
  • Proven track record in team leadership, volunteer management and/or end to end development strategy ownership.

Please note that work authorisation in United States is required to be eligible for this role.

Kindly submit your application along with a CV in English.

About the Team

The Advancement department at INSEAD is dedicated to fundraising and developing relationships with alumni and donors. It plays a crucial role in supporting the school's strategic initiatives and promoting engagement within the INSEAD community.

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