Director of Major Gifts

Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open to the Public

Position Status: Full-Time, Regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/2B

Salary Range: Up to $

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties: The Director of Major Gifts provides strategic leadership and direct execution for the University of the District of Columbia’s major gifts program, with responsibility for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors making gifts in the $10,000 through six‑figure range. The Major Gifts Director coordinates and implements fund raising programs to secure supplemental funding, beyond the District appropriation, to support UDC operations and advancement.

The role is also responsible for advancing a positive and accurate image of the University and its programs. This position plays a critical role in advancing UDC’s philanthropic goals by building and managing a robust pipeline of major donors and strengthening long‑term donor relationships. The Director designs and implements a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with institutional priorities and fundraising objectives.

The Director of Major Gifts reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement and operates with a high degree of professional autonomy and judgment. This role does not include responsibility for Leadership Gifts ($1,000,000 and above), which are managed separately, but collaborates as appropriate to ensure seamless donor progression and stewardship. This position works closely with advancement operations, stewardship, alumni relations, and academic leadership.

The work directly impacts the University’s ability to secure philanthropic resources that support academic programs, student success, faculty initiatives, and institutional growth.

• Manages a portfolio of approximately 90 – 110 qualified major gift prospects, with responsibility for donor strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Personally solicits major gifts through in‑person visits, proposals, and tailored engagement strategies.
• Develops customized proposals and naming opportunity pitches aligned with donor interests and University priorities.
• Coordinates with advancement leadership to support appropriate donor transitions into Leadership Gifts portfolios when capacity and readiness warrant.

• Leads the planning and execution of the University’s major gifts program, focused on gifts of $10,000 through seven figures ($1M+), in alignment with institutional priorities and campaign goals.
• Develops and implements annual and multi‑year strategies to grow major gift revenue and donor engagement.
• Serves as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Advancement and the Chief Advancement Officer on major gift strategy, pipeline health, and prospect movement.
• Partners with deans, faculty, and unit leaders to translate academic and institutional priorities into compelling major gift opportunities.

• Carries significant revenue responsibility, with annual major‑gift fundraising expectations typically ranging from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, exclusive of Leadership Gifts.
• Tracks progress against fundraising goals and adjusts strategy as needed in consultation with the Vice President for Advancement.

• Ensures accurate and timely documentation of donor activity, pipeline status, and solicitation outcomes in the University’s CRM (e.g., Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce).
• Uses data and analytics, Evertrue and Research Point platforms to inform strategy, monitor performance, and forecast revenue.
• Prepares reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for senior leadership and key stakeholders.

• Ensures consistent, high‑quality stewardship for all major gift donors, demonstrating impact and reinforcing donor confidence.
• Collaborates with stewardship, alumni relations, and communications teams to deliver coordinated recognition and engagement.
• Develops innovative stewardship strategies…