Executive Director, Major Giving

Business Title Executive Director, Major Giving Applications Accepted From Public:
Open to the Public Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply , please complete and submit the online application and be prepared to attach 3 separate documents: current resume, cover Letter, and a list of 3 professional references with current contact information, including email addresses. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please apply by 11:59 p.m. EST on the close date.

This position is eligible for the following benefits: medical, vision, dental, basic and supplemental life, winter break closure, paid holidays, educational benefits for you and eligible dependents, sick leave, vacation, and retirement. Posting Number 2016364T Department Summary

The Executive Director of Development provides strategic leadership for a team of development officers who work directly with deans, colleges, and other university units to advance fundraising goals and enhance donor engagement. In close partnership with the Associate Vice President and Vice President of Advancement, the Executive Director will help design and implement action plans that strengthen prospect management, build the donor pipeline, and drive major and principal gift strategies.

This position plays a key role in coordinating development strategies across colleges and administrative areas, ensuring alignment with university-wide fundraising priorities. The Executive Director will manage a personal portfolio of major gift prospects and will collaborate with development officers and campus partners to create personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that strengthen long-term relationships with donors. Through strategic outreach, travel, and engagement, this individual will build and sustain relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to support institutional priorities.

Essential Functions and Duties:

* Lead, mentor, and manage a team of development officers supporting various colleges and units.

* Collaborate with advancement leadership to design, implement, and execute strategic fundraising and engagement plans.

* Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal and major gift prospects and donors to advance university priorities.

* Partner with academic leaders, unit directors, and colleagues across Advancement to align fundraising strategy with institutional goals.

* Contribute to the development of long-term fundraising strategies that strengthen the donor pipeline and advance campus-wide initiatives.

* Provide leadership and oversight for key projects, initiatives, and fundraising campaigns.

* Represent the development team in meetings with internal and external stakeholders, influencing decision-making and promoting collaboration.

Position Profile

Works collaboratively to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal gifts from critical, high profile prospects/donors that will enhance university-wide priorities. Designs and implements strategic fundraising plans through collaboration for academic units, regional campuses and complex markets. Manages constituency programs. Cultivates relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, and corporations to support the University's mission. Ensures the University has the resources necessary for growth and engages the community to advance its long-term goals.

Level Summary

Manages a work unit or a team and has full authority over personnel actions within the work unit. Contributes to the development of the area's operational plan, ensuring alignment with broader departmental or institutional goals. Accountable for the achievement of the unit's operational objectives, improving performance and addressing resource needs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manages a medium-sized team. Directly oversees at least 2.0 FTE employees or one or more supervisors. Has authority to hire, transfer, suspend, promote, manage performance, discharge, assign duties, reward, and discipline employees.

Fiscal Responsibilities

Responsible for managing team or department budgets and resources.

Problem Solving

Addresses departmental or cross-team issues, devises long-term solutions.

Independence of Action

Acts independently, with consultation with senior management.

Communication and Collaboration

Facilitates communication among team and higher-level leadership, builds relationships across University.

Physical Requirements

This role is primarily desk-based and involves extensive use of desktop computers. Occasionally, the job may require travel to attend meetings and programs.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field, 5 or more years of related professional experience, and 3 or more years of supervisory experience, or equivalent education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

* Minimum of 8 years of experience in higher education advancement, development, or fundraising.

* At least 5 years of supervisory or management experience…