Director of Transformational Investment

Full description and/or apply at:

This position is responsible for securing transformational investment through major, annual, and deferred philanthropic commitments in support of Webster University’s operational, endowment, and capital priorities. The Director serves as a front-line fundraising professional responsible for building relationships with high-capacity individuals and guiding their engagement and investment in Webster through major annual gifts ($25,000+), campaign commitments, and planned gifts.

The Director manages a portfolio of approximately 100–150 prospective and current donors and advances these relationships through the philanthropic lifecycle — from qualification and cultivation through solicitation and stewardship. This role contributes directly to Webster’s philanthropic priorities by strengthening donor relationships, securing philanthropic support, and deepening long‑term engagement.

• Manage and advance a portfolio of approximately 100–150 prospective and current donors capable of making transformational investments.
• Conduct regular visits and substantive interactions with donors and prospects to cultivate relationships and secure major gifts, campaign commitments, and planned gifts.
• Develop and execute individualized engagement strategies to move donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Utilize and tailor existing case materials and philanthropic opportunities to align with donor interests and Webster’s priorities.
• Partner with leadership and institutional colleagues to prepare for and participate in donor meetings, cultivation efforts, and solicitations.
• Work collaboratively with University leadership, deans, faculty, and resource development colleagues to align donor interests with meaningful philanthropic investment opportunities.
• Partner with prospect development colleagues to qualify and advance prospective donors into the major gifts pipeline.
• Develop and implement strategic engagement plans that deepen donor relationships and position Webster for increased levels of philanthropic investment.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of donor interactions, strategies, and next steps within the University’s donor database.
• Other duties as needed to support Webster University’s philanthropic priorities.

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive fundraising experience with demonstrated success in securing major gifts
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and participating in the cultivation, solicitation, and closure of major gifts
• Proven ability to build and sustain long‑term donor relationships
• Experience developing and executing donor engagement and solicitation strategies
• Strong working knowledge of fundraising compliance and disciplined documentation of donor activity within a donor database (CRM)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a fundraising team
• Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and commitment to ethical fundraising practices