Senior Director of Development, Arts & Humanities

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The Letters & Science (L&S) Development and College Relations Office is responsible for raising private support for all L&S departments from alumni and friends, corporations, and foundations, and provides leadership and assistance to the campus community.

The College of Letters & Science comprises five academic divisions, each with its own funding opportunities, priorities, and development directors. This position will support the Division of Arts & Humanities. Gifts to the Arts & Humanities directly support faculty and students as they explore the human experience across an exceptionally broad range of subjects within our 19 departments, 12 groups, and centers.

Your investment ensures that our students are challenged by leading faculty to explore the deepest questions that shape their lives and our times.

The Senior Director of Development is responsible for securing philanthropic support from high-net-worth individuals, alumni, parents, and growing a portfolio to 100-150 prospects capable of making gifts of $100K+, with an annual fundraising goal of $2-$5m. The portfolio primarily focuses on Arts & Humanities fundraising priorities in the upcoming campus campaign, ranging from major funding for the arts, undergraduate experiential learning, language instruction, faculty and graduate student support, amongst other initiatives.

This role develops and executes fundraising strategies for individual donors, collaborates with divisional leadership, faculty and volunteers, and represents Arts & Humanities at donor meetings and key events. The Senior Director of Development plays a critical role in advancing the division's mission by aligning donor interests with divisional priorities, primarily driving major gifts, with the occasional principal gift when in collaboration with senior leadership, and contributing to long-term development strategies that support faculty and graduate student excellence, research, and key programs.

The First Review Date for this job is September 8, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Portfolio Management and Fundraising Strategy - 70%

• Manages a dynamic portfolio of approximately 100-150 major gift prospects, primarily high-net-worth individuals, alumni, and parents with the capacity to give $100,000 or more.
• Develops and executes individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to align donor interests with divisional priorities, advancing the mission of Arts & Humanities.
• Conducts at least 10-15 substantive contacts per month that meaningfully move relationships forward.
• Personally solicits major gifts and, in collaboration with senior leadership, participates in soliciting principal gifts.
• Ensures predetermined fundraising goals are met, with an annual target of raising $2 million or more.

Collaboration and Proposal Development - 15%

• Prepares and presents formal fundraising proposals tailored to prospective donors.
• Collaborates with divisional leadership, faculty, and volunteers to create compelling cases for support.
• Coordinates and accompanies deans and faculty in donor meetings, especially when presenting high-level proposals.
• Supports long-term development strategies that strengthen fundraising for faculty and graduate student excellence, research, and…