Dillards Inc

Director of Development

Dillards Inc • $80K — $120K *
New Orleans, LA 70119In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Reposted Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
  • Five years of fundraising or business development experience with a proven record of securing significant gifts.
  • Strong writing, communication, and presentation skills critical.
  • Demonstrated success in donor cultivation and stewardship.
  • Proficient with CRM systems like Raiser's Edge.
  • Willingness to travel and work evenings or weekends as necessary.

Responsibilities

  • Manage a portfolio of 75-100 major gift prospects with capacity of $25,000 or more.
  • Conduct 12-15 donor meetings each month to solicit major gifts.
  • Qualify at least 60 new prospects in the first year and maintain a robust pipeline.
  • Prepare and present major gift proposals to potential donors.
  • Develop supportive cases aligned with institutional priorities.
  • Collaborate with the Vice President to design multi-year fundraising strategies.
  • Execute personalized stewardship plans and provide regular donor updates.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and advancement.
  • Engagement in impactful work aligning with educational missions.
  • Collaboration with senior leadership and academic professionals.
  • Access to potential networking with established philanthropic communities.
Full Job Description
Position Summary

Dillard University seeks a Director of Development to serve as the lead frontline fundraiser for the Office of Institutional Advancement and Strategic Communications. This position is responsible for building and managing a disciplined major gifts program that generates significant philanthropic support for scholarships, academic programs, student success initiatives, and institutional priorities. The Director of Development cultivates, solicits, and stewards major donors while strengthening the overall culture of giving at the university.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Management

  • Manage a portfolio of 75 to 100 qualified prospects with giving capacity of $25,000 or more.
  • Conduct 12 to 15 meaningful donor meetings each month to cultivate and solicit major gifts.
  • Qualify at least 60 new prospects within the first year and maintain a strong donor pipeline.
  • Prepare, present, and close major gift proposals.


Fundraising Strategy

  • Develop cases for support aligned with institutional priorities.
  • Partner with the Vice President to design multi-year giving strategies for scholarships, academic initiatives, and emerging projects.
  • Support campaign readiness activities including prospect planning and volunteer engagement.


Donor Engagement and Stewardship

  • Execute individualized stewardship plans for all major donors.
  • Provide personalized impact reports and regular updates for donors whose gifts support scholarships, programs, or endowed funds.
  • Record all donor interactions and activity in Raiser's Edge in a timely manner.


Collaboration

  • Work closely with the President, Provost, deans, faculty, and program leaders to understand and communicate funding needs.
  • Prepare donor meeting briefings for senior leadership.
  • Coordinate with other members of the advancement team to ensure comprehensive donor engagement.


Data and Reporting

  • Maintain accurate documentation in Raiser's Edge including proposals, contact reports, and donor movement.
  • Participate in monthly pipeline meetings and produce activity reports summarizing visits, proposals, and commitments.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred.
  • Five years of fundraising, business development, or related experience with a record of securing significant gifts or accounts.
  • Strong writing, communication, and presentation skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to cultivate and steward donors or clients.
  • Proficiency with CRM systems such as Raiser's Edge.
  • Ability to travel and participate in evening or weekend events as needed.

About Dillards Inc

Dillard's, Inc. is a department store chain based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The company operates 285 stores in 29 states, primarily in the Southern United States. Dillard's offers a range of merchandise, including apparel, cosmetics, home furnishings, and electronics. The company was founded in 1938 by William T. Dillard and has grown to become one of the largest department store chains in the United States.
Learn more about Dillards Inc
Size
20,100 employees
Market Cap
$5.4 billion
Industry
Retail & Consumer Goods
Net Income
-$71.6 million
Founded
1938
5 Year Trend
+0.6%
Revenue
$4.4 billion
NASDAQ
DDS
* Ladders Estimates

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Dillards Inc

  • Dillards Inc
    Director of Development
    $80K — $120K *
    New Orleans, LA 70119 (Orleans County)
    Reposted Today
    Education, Government & Non-Profit
    In-Person
  • Dillards Inc
    Budget Director
    $90K — $120K *
    New Orleans, LA 70119 (Orleans County)
    1 month ago
    Education, Government & Non-Profit
    In-Person

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Director of Development jobs:

NationwideNew Orleans, LA