Director of Development, Campaign Giving

Responsibilities

• Funding Alignment: Collaborating closely with university leadership/administration, deans, faculty, staff to translate compelling philanthropic funding opportunities
• Principal & Major Gifts: Managing a high-level portfolio of alumni, parents, and trustees capable of making major and transformative gift commitments
• Volunteer Board Management: Recruiting, organizing, and staffing powerful campaign steering committees, alumni boards, etc. and how they can support the campaign goals
• Pipeline Infrastructure: Assisting and advising prospect research, gift planning (endowments and planned giving), and data analytics teams to identify next-generation donors supporting the campaign goals
• Stewardship: Ensuring donors are recognized and continuously engaged to sustain a long-term tradition of philanthropic support
• Strategic Event Production: Help with end-to-end planning advisement of high-profile advancement events, including campaign launches, building dedications, scholarship luncheons, presidential dinners, and regional donor events
• Principal & Major Gift Cultivation: Partner with frontline fundraisers to design customized, high-touch event experiences that advance specific principal and major gift prospects through the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship cycles as it supports the campaign goals
• Leadership Briefings & Bios: Assist in the draft detailed briefing materials, strategic talking points, timelines, and donor bios for the University President, Vice President of Advancement, Deans, and Board of Trustees members attending development events
• Data-Driven Evaluation: Leverage the institutional CRM to track guest touchpoints, analyze attendance trends, monitor event budgets, and measure the direct ROI of events against campaign fundraising milestones
• Cross-Campus Collaboration: Coordinate seamlessly with internal campus partners, including University Communications, catering services, facilities, student ambassadors, and academic departments to ensure cohesive branding and execution

Qualifications

• 7 to 10+ years of progressive fundraising experience, specifically in a higher education or complex nonprofit setting
• Proven track record of planning, executing, and closing major multi-year capital or comprehensive university campaigns
• Documented success in personally securing major and principal gifts
• Extensive experience identifying, cultivating, and stewarding a portfolio of 75 to 150 high-net-worth alumni, parents, and trustees
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds