Case Western Reserve University

Senior Director of Development, Engineering

Case Western Reserve University • $89K — $113K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in development or related fields, preferably in higher education.
  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
  • Proven leadership in front-line fundraising at the leadership gift level.
  • Experience with international travel and alumni engagement.
  • Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
  • Computer proficient, including Microsoft Office and willingness to learn new technologies.

Responsibilities

  • Identify and cultivate major gifts while developing strategies for high-value donations.
  • Collaborate with the vice dean on the school’s fundraising strategy and campaign planning.
  • Serve as the main development contact for faculty and other key university stakeholders.
  • Cultivate relationships with major gift prospects, particularly global alumni.
  • Work with faculty to identify funding opportunities that align with the school’s priorities.
  • Recruit and manage volunteers to aid in fundraising initiatives and donor engagement.
  • Supervise and mentor a team of national development gift officers.

Benefits

  • Excellent healthcare coverage.
  • Comprehensive retirement plans.
  • Tuition assistance for employees and their families.
  • Generous paid time off and winter recess.
Full Job Description
Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $89,491 and $113,207, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The senior director of development will initiate, cultivate, develop and maintain a comprehensive development program. The senior director envisions and implements strategies necessary to meet Case School of Engineering and Case Western Reserve University driven goals surpassing $33 million annually. As a member of the senior development team the senior director will provide concepts, leadership, insights, tactics and execution of the engineering school development plan. In addition to and in coordination with the vice dean, the senior director is responsible for the development of overall fundraising plans for the school and the university. Functioning as part of the university-wide development team and working closely with the vice dean, the vice president for school and college development, and the dean, the senior director will be expected to work collegially, and in partnership with school-based colleagues and also must develop a strong relationship with central development personnel, university trustees and the president and provost. This person will engage in direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and participate in planning and implementing school-specific initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  1. Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts ($500,000 to $1,000,000) for the school in accordance with fundraising priorities established by the dean and vice dean. Travel to meet face-to-face with prospects and donors. Plan and execute gift strategies in conjunction with all central and school based external relations team at the university (30%)
  2. Partner with the vice dean in developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the Case School of Engineering, including campaign planning, principal and major gift strategy, prospect pipeline development, staff and volunteer leadership, and fundraising priorities. (20%)
  3. Cultivate and solicit major gift prospects, primarily from the engineering school and globally based alumni. (10%)
  4. Serve as primary development staff contact for associate deans, department chairs, institutes, events, donors and other senior faculty. Work with departments and institutes in the planning and implementation of department and interdepartmental fundraising efforts with specific emphasis on the global market. Serve as development liaison to the office of international affairs and host foreign dignitaries, parents of current students and international institutions. (10%)
  5. Collaborate with faculty and academic leaders to identify and develop philanthropic opportunities that advance the Case School of Engineering's academic, research and student priorities. Identify, cultivate and develop strategic relationships with corporations, foundations, alumni, donors and other external partners whose interests align with the school's priorities. Connect external stakeholders with faculty, staff and students to strengthen engagement, advance the school's mission and generate significant philanthropic investment. (15%)
  6. Recruit, train and manage volunteers of the alumni development cabinet and think tanks and other committees as appropriate, who will actively participate in the rating, cultivating, and soliciting of major gift prospects across the globe. (7.5%)
  7. Supervise a team of national development gift officers and serve as mentor to external relations team. (7.5%)


NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties assigned by the vice dean and dean, including but not limited to management of other existing and future development, alumni programs. (

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with dean, vice president, vice/associate deans, department chairs and directors. Contact with faculty, students and staff as required to perform essential functions.

University: Develop and coordinate strategy with a wide range of partners: the president's office, provost, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff.

External: Daily contact with donors, alumni, foundation representatives, community organizers/advocates, corporate executives and federal and foreign government officials. Contact with foreign visitors and officials and academic boards and organizations as required to perform essential functions.

Students: Contact with undergraduate, graduate and professional students as required to perform essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct supervisory responsibility for three directors of national development.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 10 or more years of experience in development or related field. Experience in the fields of higher education preferred. Experience with international travel and international alumni engagement.

Education: Bachelor's degree is required. Master's degree preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS
  1. Oversight and management of discussion and negotiation of agreements between educational institutions.
  2. Goal oriented with a high level of energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the mission and goals of the Case School of Engineering and Case Western Reserve University.
  3. Must be able to work with and command the confidence of donors, their financial and legal advisors as well as senior officers of the university.
  4. Demonstrated front-line fundraising experience at the leadership gift level.
  5. Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
  6. Ability to maintain database of cultural, educational and governmental agencies with international ties.
  7. Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
  8. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
  9. Ability to demonstrate history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
  10. Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.


WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment, some evening and weekend work hours will be required. Frequent travel required.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

About Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is a private research university in Cleveland, Ohio. It was created in 1967 through the federation of two longstanding contiguous institutions: Western Reserve University, founded in 1826 and named for its location in the Connecticut Western Reserve, and Case Institute of Technology, founded in 1880 through the endowment of Leonard Case, Jr. CWRU is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities ? Very high research activity". The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs in arts and sciences, engineering, business, law, dental medicine, nursing, social work, and medicine. CWRU has more than 11,000 students and 3,500 faculty members.
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