Executive Director of Development for Medical Innovation

About the role

The executive director of development, medical innovation provides strategic leadership of the comprehensive advancement program for the School of Medicine’s high priority initiatives, including principal gifts, major gifts, annual giving, foundation relations, corporate relations, alumni relations, special events, and communications. The role develops overall fundraising plans for scholarship, research, faculty support, and community health in alignment with the School of Medicine’s strategies and the university’s Division of University Relations and Development. As an experienced development professional, the incumbent engages in direct face‑to‑face cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with frequent off‑campus travel. The position works collegially with central and school‑based colleagues, serves as a member of the School of Medicine senior staff, and assists with strategy implementation to fulfill the school’s mission. Under the Dean’s direction, the executive director acts as the primary development staff contact for chairs and senior faculty of assigned high‑priority initiatives and collaborates with departments on fundraising efforts. The incumbent also supervises, coaches, and mentors the senior director of development and collaborates with development and alumni relations staff on a multimillion‑dollar comprehensive campaign, covering strategic planning, oversight, management, performance measurement, and solicitation strategies.

Contacts include frequent interaction with the dean, senior vice president of medical affairs, vice deans, associate deans, department chairs, directors, faculty, students, and staff; regular collaboration with the senior vice president for university relations and development, the president’s office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, and alumni; daily contact with donors, alumni, foundation representatives, community organizers, corporate executives, and government officials; and engagement with foreign visitors, healthcare officials, academic boards, and undergraduate, graduate, and professional students as required.

Responsibilities

• Develop a portfolio of high‑potential alumni, friends, and grateful patients prospects with a giving and/or transaction potential in the range of $100,000 to $1,000,000. (40%)
• Develop and implement strategic cultivation, solicitation, and/or engagement strategies for each prospect to maximize major and leadership gifts to the university. (40%)
• Serve as a member of the senior staff of the School of Medicine and assist with the development and implementation of strategies and plans to fulfill the school's mission. (20%)
• Under the direction and approval of the Dean, serve as primary development staff contact for chairs and other senior faculty of assigned high priority initiatives, work with departments in planning and implementation of departmental fundraising efforts. (15%)
• Supervise, coach and mentor the senior director of development. (15%)
• Collaborate with the Development and Alumni Relations and central development staff in the implementation of the major components of a multimillion‑dollar comprehensive campaign including strategic planning, oversight, management, performance measurement and solicitation strategies. (10%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (

Requirements

• Experience: 10 years of progressive experience in development or a related field with transferable skills and a corresponding record in closing major gifts.
• Education/Licensing: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

Skills

• Demonstrated strategic management skills to successfully develop and implement a development plan.
• Significant demonstrated experience in individual giving and corporate and foundation relations to provide leadership for the entire program.
• Experience in medical affairs and biomedical research is desirable; experience in the grateful patient arena is highly desirable.
• High degree of energy, creativity, flexibility, organization, and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Ability to demonstrate history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

Benefits

• Excellent healthcare
• Retirement plans
• Tuition assistance
• Paid time off
• Winter recess

Pay

The salary range is between $107,645 and $145,321, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Schedule

General office environment with some evening and weekend work hours required. Frequent travel required. This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement of up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon supervisor approval, successful completion of an orientation period, and signing the remote work checklist certification form.