Director of Development

Full‑time, salaried exempt position reporting to the President, located in Fork Union, Virginia.

About the Role

Fork Union Military Academy seeks an accomplished and relationship‑driven Director of Development to lead the Academy’s fundraising and constituent‑engagement efforts. This senior leader will work closely with the President, senior leadership, the Board of Trustees, the Fork Union Military Academy Foundation, and the Development team to expand philanthropic support for the Academy’s mission and strategic priorities. The Director will guide annual and major giving, donor acquisition and retention, alumni engagement, campaign planning, endowment growth, gift stewardship, and development communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and strengthen the Development team, establishing clear fundraising priorities and a collaborative, accountable working environment.
• Develop and implement strategies to achieve annual unrestricted‑giving goals and increase philanthropic support for Academy operations and long‑term priorities.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership and major gifts from alumni, parents and grandparents, faculty and staff, corporations, foundations, and other friends of the Academy.
• Develop a long‑range campaign plan designed to grow the Academy’s endowment by more than $20 million, consistent with the strategic plan.
• Establish effective gift acknowledgement, donor recognition, reporting, and stewardship practices while ensuring accurate management of donor, prospect, gift, and alumni information in the fundraising CRM.
• Partner with the President, Board of Trustees, Alumni Association Board, CFO, and Academy leadership on fundraising activities, donor engagement, financial tracking, and development reporting.
• Coordinate grant opportunities and proposals and cultivate support from corporations and foundations.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Communications, and Enrollment to ensure external messaging supports the Academy’s mission, reputation, enrollment, and retention goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE certification preferred.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, advancement, or a related field, including significant management experience.
• Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and securing leadership and major gifts, with experience in campaign planning, annual giving, donor stewardship, and development reporting.
• Strong leadership, judgment, integrity, communication, and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Proficiency with fundraising CRM systems, Microsoft 365, spreadsheets, budget management, and related applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and collaboratively, and travel as required, up to 50%.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Paid time off.
• Tuition reimbursement and potential housing opportunities.
• Qualifying tuition remission for dependent children.
• Meals in the dining facility when school is in session.
• Access to athletic, recreational, and library facilities and services.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of required background screening and drug testing. The selected candidate must maintain strict confidentiality and represent the Academy with professionalism, integrity, and a positive, collaborative approach. Salary will be based on experience and qualifications.