The Director of Development is a frontline fundraiser and key member of the Advancement team, responsible for the strategic management of a portfolio of alumni and friends capable of making leadership and major gifts in support of University priorities. Reporting to the Executive Director of University Advancement, the Director of Development will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni and donors, with an emphasis on fostering their long-term engagement and continued support.
The Director of Development will partner with academic and administrative leadership to align donor interests with institutional priorities. Where appropriate, the Director of Development will introduce planned giving and annual fund opportunities as part of a comprehensive donor engagement strategy.
This position plays a key role in advancing the University's mission, strategic initiatives, student success priorities, and campaign objectives through philanthropy and alumni engagement, while providing excellent support to all University stakeholders.
- Manage a portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects through all stages of the donor cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Conduct a substantial schedule of personal visits and meaningful engagement activities with alumni and friends to strengthen relationships, advance University priorities, and to increase fundraising success.
- Solicit and close gifts, primarily in the four- to six-figure range, with opportunities to participate in larger and more complex gift discussions.
- Introduce and promote planned giving opportunities to appropriate prospects as part of a comprehensive, long-term donor engagement strategy.
- Support annual fund participation among portfolio prospects, helping to build a culture of consistent giving and pipeline development.
- Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with alumni and friends to advance philanthropic support and strengthen engagement opportunities, including student internships, career mentorship, employment pathways, corporate partnerships, volunteer leadership, and other mission-aligned collaborations that support student success and institutional priorities.
- Build and maintain strong institutional knowledge of University priorities, schools and programs, centers for excellence, research efforts, and student success resources.
- Collaborate closely with University leadership, faculty, deans, and Advancement colleagues to identify philanthropic priorities and develop donor engagement opportunities.
- Support campaign initiatives, donor events, volunteer engagement opportunities, and regional cultivation activities as appropriate, including occasional travel and evening or weekend work.
- Meet or exceed annual performance metrics and fundraising goals, including donor visits, solicitations, proposals submitted, and philanthropic revenue goals.
- Maintain accurate and timely records of alumni and donor activity, strategy, and engagement within the University's constituent relationship management system.
- Participate in strategic planning efforts related to fundraising initiatives, campaign planning, and donor engagement strategies.
- Remain current on best practices and emerging trends in higher education philanthropy.
- Collaborative with and support other Advancement staff to advance shared goals and University priorities.
- Work with Advancement colleagues to build and manage annual appeals for alumni and donor participation.
- Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the supervisor.
Required:- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in major gifts, fundraising, or advancement
- Demonstrated success in securing leadership or major gifts
- Understanding of planned giving tools preferred
- Experience within a university or academic medical center preferred
- Experience working collaboratively within a metrics-driven fundraising environment
- Knowledge of best practices in donor engagement, stewardship, and relationship-based philanthropy
- Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills
- Self-directed, responsive, and solution-oriented performer
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a customer service orientation
- Must be highly productive, detail-oriented, flexible, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Demonstrated Microsoft Office proficiency
- Experience working with complex databases, preferably Raiser's Edge NXT
- A valid Driver's License
Physical Requirements: - Typical office or administrative working conditions. Staff is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Work is primarily sedentary in nature; there are no special physical demands.
- Must have the ability to drive to alumni visits and events
- Ability to travel regularly and work occasional evenings and weekends in support of donor engagement and University events.
