Director of Development School of Communications

Director of Development – School of Communications

Inside Higher Ed invites applications for the Director of Development – School of Communications at Elon University. The role leads development activities, engages alumni, parents, and friends, and coordinates philanthropy at the leadership annual giving level.

The Director manages a portfolio of approximately 200 university donors and prospects, cultivates and solicits philanthropic support, collaborates with the Dean’s advisory board, supports the Dean’s staff, and develops alumni engagement strategies while traveling to engage constituents.

• Actively manage a portfolio of roughly 200 university donors and prospects, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic support.
• Work closely with the Associate Director of Corporate & Employer Relations to identify and engage potential corporate partners and lead all development activities related to the School, including strategy and development of leadership annual giving solicitations.
• Travel on behalf of the university to engage constituents to identify, cultivate, and solicit donor prospects for key philanthropic priorities, including annual gifts, endowed scholarships, gifts to capital projects, and other gifts illustrated in university campaigns and strategic plans.
• Assist the Dean and the Dean’s staff in the recruitment and management of members of the School’s Advisory Board, serving as the primary liaison between the School and staff within University Advancement.
• Develop opportunities for alumni to engage with faculty, staff, and students, regularly communicating through formal and informal channels to advance relationships in service to philanthropic priorities. Regularly speak in front of groups to deliver information and updates around university activities.

Bachelor’s degree in communications or business, and 5‑8 years of relevant experience, preferably in higher education development or a comparable role.

The role requires frequent travel across the United States and may involve work during nights and weekends.

Elon University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous annual days off, tuition remission for undergraduate and graduate courses, an 8% retirement plan contribution, immediate health, dental and vision insurance, free campus fitness facilities, and access to campus events and athletics.

Visit Elon University Careers.