Director, Leadership Gifts

About The University

Manhattan University is nestled in the historic neighborhood of Riverdale, close to dozens of restaurants and shops as well as Van Cortlandt Park, and is only 35 minutes from midtown Manhattan. Manhattan University is nationally ranked and offers degree programs in the arts, business, education, engineering, and science. The University has approximately 2,900 full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in over 50 fields of study. It is committed to excellence in teaching a diverse student body and preparing students for successful careers and fulfilling lives. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees and faculty members can thrive personally and professionally.

Position Description

The Director, Leadership Gifts provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management for Manhattan University's Major Gift Officers within the Advancement Department; secures philanthropic support from new and existing donors; serves as a member of the Advancement Department's management team; and plays a key role in sustaining and expanding the University's community of supporters. In collaboration with the Director, Capital Campaign, this role is responsible for executing a major gift fundraising strategy that supports both annual and capital fundraising objectives, while integrating planned and event giving strategies as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Major Gift Officers to achieve fundraising and donor engagement goals; establish team and individual performance metrics focused on revenue growth, retention, and donor pipeline development.
• Personally manage a focused portfolio of leadership giving prospects and secure philanthropic support from new and existing donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Oversee portfolio management across the Major Gifts team, ensuring strong data integrity, disciplined prospect strategy, and consistent movement of donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with the Director, Capital Campaign and Advancement colleagues to execute major gift strategies that support annual, capital, planned, and event giving objectives.
• Provide strategic guidance to Major Gift Officers, identify opportunities for collaboration across fundraising programs, and contribute to Advancement Department planning and management.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture aligned with Manhattan University's values, and strengthen relationships with donors, alumni, University officials, faculty, and staff.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree required.

Experience: 7+ years of fundraising or development experience in a complex organization, including demonstrated success managing fundraising staff and driving results.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of major gift fundraising, portfolio and pipeline management, donor strategy, performance metrics, data analysis, and relationship-based philanthropy.
• Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyze data, set goals, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with donors, alumni, University officials, faculty, and staff or similar constituencies.