Senior Director of Development

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title
Senior Director of Development

Position Number
896278, 896277

Position Category
Administration

School/Division
Office of Vice Pres. of Development (division)

Department

Full-Time or Part-Time
Full-Time

Description

Hofstra University seeks a dynamic and results-oriented Senior Director of Development to advance the University's philanthropic priorities through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects and donors. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Senior Director of Development serves as a key member of the Development and Alumni Affairs team and is responsible for managing a portfolio of alumni, parents, and friends capable of making significant philanthropic investments in support of Hofstra University's mission and strategic goals. This individual will also supervise two junior development officers, providing direction, coaching, and accountability to support their professional growth and achievement of goals.

The Senior Director of Development will work across academic and administrative units to build meaningful relationships with donors and prospects, develop comprehensive fundraising strategies, and secure transformative gifts that strengthen the University's programs, scholarships, research initiatives, capital priorities, and other institutional needs.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Actively manages a portfolio of approximately 60-75 constituents, with a focus on securing gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Develops and implements individualized strategies to maximize philanthropic support and ensure timely stewardship and recognition of donors.
• Conducts a minimum of 120 substantive prospect visits and meaningful donor engagements annually.
• Prepares and presents compelling funding opportunities, aligned with donor interests and University priorities, through gift proposals and white papers.
• Solicits outright gifts, multi-year pledges, planned gift commitments, and blended gifts as appropriate.
• Maintains active communication and engagement with donors and prospects through email, virtual visits, in person visits, phone, and handwritten correspondence.
• Supervises two junior development officers, providing regular coaching, feedback, and support.
• Oversees goal and strategy setting, monitoring progress and ensuring alignment with priorities.
• Conducts regular one-on-one meetings and annual performance reviews, identifies professional development opportunities, and addresses performance concerns in a timely and constructive manner.
• Builds productive partnerships with academic leaders, faculty, administrators, and advancement colleagues to identify and develop philanthropic opportunities.
• Collaborates with colleagues across Development and Alumni Affairs to coordinate donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
• Serves as a trusted liaison between donors and the University, ensuring a positive and meaningful donor experience.
• Engages volunteers, advisory board members, alumni leaders, and other stakeholders in support of fundraising efforts.
• Maintains accurate and complete records of donor interactions, strategies, and outcomes in the University's constituent relationship management system.
• Represents Hofstra University at events, meetings, and programs on and off campus.
• Continuously improves professional skills and remains current on fundraising best practices, higher education trends, and CASE standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned in support of Development and Alumni Affairs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of related professional experience required.
• Ability to travel 25-40% of the time, with occasional evenings and weekends required.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant gifts, investments, or business opportunities.
• Proven experience in successfully securing gifts of $100,000 or more from individual donors.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• A strong work ethic, commitment to high performance and teamwork, and a proven ability and desire to reach aggressive goals.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies, including donors, volunteers, faculty, administrators, and senior leadership.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound professional judgment.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
• Valid driver's license is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Instructions

Deadline

Date Posted
11/02/2026

Salary/Salary Range
$140,000-$160,000

Additional Information
Hofstra University provides the above salary* as a good faith estimate of the starting pay range which considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience and education. In addition to the salary offered, we offer a collegial and inclusive culture, and a benefits program which includes generous paid time off, paid holidays, tuition remission for employees and eligible dependents, and a retirement plan with University contributions.

*Salary ranges indicated for positions covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement are in accordance with the CBA.