Assistant Director, Leadership Giving

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, Development, the Assistant Director, Leadership Giving will join the newly formed Leadership Giving team with the goal of advancing the leadership giving program at Northeastern University. The Assistant Director, Leadership Giving will work in close collaboration with University Advancement and college and unit staff to identify and build relationships with prospective donors who have the potential to give at the $10,000 - $100,000 level, develop strategies for cultivation of these leadership level donors and prospects, prepare for and make solicitations, and determine the trajectory of these donors and prospects.

By working collaboratively across the university, the Assistant Director will play an active role in the success of the leadership giving program in terms of both development activity and philanthropic giving to all colleges, units, and programs.

The Assistant Director will also work to engage mid‑level donors ($10,000 - $100,000) who exhibit considerable promise to elevate to the major gift level to ensure greater long-term success for the major and principal gift programs. The role requires face‑to‑face and virtual meetings with donors/prospects, thoughtful decision‑making on donor trajectories, and effective collaboration across both University Advancement and the broader university community.

The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of a select group of major gift level alumni, parents, and friends, focusing on raising gifts at the leadership giving level and closing gifts while cultivating qualified donors/prospects for larger gifts.

• 1–3 years in a development‑related environment
• Strong interpersonal skills for building internal and external relationships with donors, prospects, deans, faculty, staff, and colleagues
• Collaborative approach and ability to take direction
• Flexibility to adapt as the leadership giving program evolves
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to travel as necessary
• Bachelor’s degree required

• Build and manage a portfolio of prospective donor/prospects at the leadership level who exhibit considerable promise for evolving to major gift level capacity over time – 75%
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward this portfolio of donor/prospects to strategically enhance their giving potential and likelihood
• Connect with donors/prospects at the leadership giving level who have the potential to give at the major and principal giving levels
• Achieve a high level of engagement and financial support from these constituents
• Work across University Advancement and the greater university to build relationships that enhance active solicitations of leadership giving donor/prospects to help move these prospects to higher giving levels
• Meet and exceed established metrics and benchmarks
• Utilize the Advancement data management system, Salesforce, to log activity, create call and progress reports, and maintain data integrity of leadership giving donors and prospects
• Execute an effective stewardship plan for this portfolio of donors/prospects
• Collaborate with University Advancement colleagues and staff along with college colleagues and staff to enhance cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship as necessary
• Acquire and articulate an understanding of Northeastern University’s various colleges and units to have informed and educated conversations with donors and prospects – 15%
• Learn, experience, and enhance appropriate strategies to grow and improve as a frontline fundraising professional, including telephone call strategies and best practices, email strategies and best practices, face‑to‑face meeting and execution, follow‑up timing and cadence – 10%
• Portfolio management and Salesforce usage to enhance fundraising and collaboration within and across Advancement – 10%

Grade/

Pay Type:

108S
Expected Hiring Range: $60,315.00 – $85,192.50

Northeastern University offers a comprehensive benefits package to benefit‑eligible employees, including medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness and life, retirement, commuting, and transportation benefits.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.