Director for Development

About the role

The Director for Development reports to the Associate Vice President for External Relations and is responsible for developing and implementing initiatives to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects to ensure a strong base of ongoing financial support from major donors. This role includes stewardship of major donors to maintain and build their relationships with the University, overseeing Advancement Operations, and coordinating select Advancement events such as the annual Scholarship Benefit and the All Ways Forward speaker series.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Associate Vice President and Senior Vice President to develop and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned major gift prospects and identify new prospects.
• Maintain stewardship activities with donors to ensure ongoing engagement and support.
• Identify high-level annual donors with potential and capacity to enhance their support toward major gift initiatives, in collaboration with the Senior Director for Alumni Relations and Giving.
• Define and implement individual strategies to cultivate and solicit major gifts from donors and ensure appropriate stewardship activities.
• Translate University priorities into development opportunities for donors and donor prospects by working with administration, faculty, and staff.
• Coordinate the annual fundraising gala and All Ways Forward speaker series, managing logistical details and serving as the primary contact between the University and event vendors.
• Support and assist gala honorees and Trustees with outreach and solicitation efforts alongside the Senior Vice President and Associate Vice President for External Relations.
• Coordinate stewardship events and activities for donors at defined giving levels, including endowed scholarship donors, Centennial Society members, and higher-level annual donors.
• Oversee Advancement Operations to ensure accuracy and timeliness of gift processing, acknowledgements, and reports for Advancement and Finance.

Requirements

• Direct experience in soliciting, negotiating, and closing major gifts.
• Experience developing and implementing donor-centered stewardship initiatives that increase gift levels and donor participation.
• Experience with gift processing, acknowledgement communications, fundraising event planning, and management.
• Proven record of successful collaboration with high-level staff, trustees, officers, administrators, and key volunteers.
• Creative, results-oriented individual with strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Deadline and detail-oriented with strong planning and organizational abilities.
• Ability to set and meet goals, work well within a team and independently, and represent the University in various settings with confidence and diplomacy.
• Flexibility and adaptability, with the ability and willingness to travel as needed and handle evening and weekend responsibilities.
• Knowledge of best practices in fundraising, donor stewardship, and advancement strategy.
• Experience with CRM systems, preferably Banner or Raiser’s Edge, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to exercise strong judgment and act professionally with sensitive, confidential information.
• A deep understanding of and commitment to the Catholic Liberal Arts mission of the University.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Four to five years of direct fundraising experience, preferably in a non-profit or higher education setting.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick leave beyond University holidays.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 100% employer-sponsored life insurance and long-term disability (LTD) benefits.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Tuition benefits for employees and their dependents.
• Employee Assistance Program.

Pay

Salary Range: $110,000–$120,000 per year.