Senior Director, Development - Lerner College of Business & Economics
Listed on 2026-08-02
-
Management
General Management, Project & Program Management, BD Manager
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Job No: 503475
Work Type:
Staff
Location:
Newark, DE
Categories:
Development & Alumni Relations, Full Time
SCONTEXT OF JOB:
The Senior Director of Development is responsible for major giftfundraising for the assigned College/unit (Lerner), includingidentification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, andstewardship of major and principal gift donors for the college. The Senior Director will also manage a team of frontline fundraisers,inspiring cross-functional teamwork, and collaboration to driveachievement and close gifts. Serving as the primary developmentliaison to the assigned College/unit, the Senior Director partners with development colleagues and University-wide administrative and academic partners involved in business curricular and co-curricularprograms.
The emphasis of the position is the solicitation of giftsof $100,000 or more from individuals.
The Senior Director reports to the Associate Vice President of Development and works closely with assigned College leadership,faculty, and staff.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:Fundraising (65%):
Work closely with the Dean or Director of the assigned
College/unit to lead the development and execution of an overallfundraising strategy, establish fundraising priorities, and setfundraising goals.Manage a portfolio of 50 to 75 qualified major and principalgiving prospects qualified through capacity, inclination, andtiming to make a significant gift of $100,000 or more.
Successfully conduct all stages of the major gift process, which includes the qualification, cultivation, solicitation andstewardship of identified prospects in the assigned College/unit orin support of University-identified priorities.
Provide donors and prospects with an exceptional experiencemoving them to gift closure through thoughtful and meaningfulcommunication and engagement.
Lead the development and execution of solicitation plans for all assigned prospects that identify key steps toward moving prospects to a successful solicitation within three years. Acquire extensive knowledge of College and University programs and projects todevelop and implement donor cultivation and solicitation strategieseffectively and efficiently.
Expertly develop draft proposals and agreements for namedinitiatives and recognition opportunities for donors.
Demonstrate leadership by following and executing all statedprocesses and procedures. Recommend process/procedural improvementsas needed.
Serve as the primary DAR contact and work closely with the assigned college/unit Dean, Department Chairs, faculty, and staffon the development of fundraising strategies and donor engagementactivities.
Lead the coordination and scheduling of DAR and College/unitmonthly fundraising meetings.
Serve as the lead subject matter expert for gift officers whoare working with prospects in assigned college/unit.
Take the lead by working collaboratively with developmentcolleagues who manage College-based donors and prospects withphilanthropic interests.
Assist as needed in the coordination of stewardship reports and activities for prospects with appropriate members of the administration and faculty of the assigned College/unit.
Prepares various financial, statistical, and analytical reports for management and departmental use.
Effectively manage a team of direct reports and support their success by setting clear direction, priorities, and goals,providing performance feedback, and conducting formalappraisals.
Foster a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and achievementamongst staff to achieve overarching DAR goals and metrics.
Lead by example by modeling best practices, inspiring, coaching,and guiding the team on expectations, policies, and functions.
Serve as a role model and contribute to strengthening DAR’sculture by demonstrating the desired behaviors of partneringeffectively with colleagues within DAR to foster a cross-functional team approach to achieve the goals of the assigned College/unit andthe University overall.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Bachelor's degree and minimum of seven years of relevant experience (development, sales, customer relations, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts on thesix-figure level, or equivalent experience in a related field suchas sales.
Previous successful experience managing and motivating afrontline fundraising team.
Experience working collaboratively to develop and execute strategic initiatives and fundraising goals.
Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and…
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