Major Gifts, Regional Programs, Associate Director

About the role

The Associate Director for Major Gifts, Regional Programs will lead Tulane’s major gift program in an assigned region, focusing on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals to secure gift commitments ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000. This role collaborates closely with colleagues across Advancement—including school/unit major gifts officers, reunion class officers, and alumni relations staff—to optimize short-term and long-term fundraising success. The position also partners with other departments within the Office of Advancement, such as Gift Planning, Stewardship, Corporate, Foundation, and Research Relations, Advancement Information Services, and other university departments.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and qualifies new prospective major donors and volunteers in the assigned region.
• Manages a portfolio of qualified individual prospects (alumni, parents, and friends).
• Develops a deep understanding of the region’s unique culture, philanthropic community, and Tulane network.
• Travels regularly for in-person meetings with prospective major gift donors.
• Solicits major gifts, including annual and planned gifts as appropriate.
• Documents contacts with volunteers, donors, and prospects in the database.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for a unit and meets regularly with the unit leader to stay informed about programs and fundraising priorities.
• Communicates unit priorities to Advancement teams to maximize prospect engagement.
• Collaborates with Development Communications to create gift proposals and informational documents highlighting program strengths and needs.
• Prepares and supports Advancement team members in staffing unit leaders for meetings with prospects and donors.
• Assists with unit council meetings.
• Develops and implements major gift solicitation and stewardship strategies, aligning donor interests with university and unit priorities.
• Designs effective strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including appropriate recognition for donors and volunteers.
• Consults with colleagues across the university to ensure donor-centric, coordinated approaches.
• Maintains current knowledge of Tulane University and its schools/units, including fundraising priorities.
• Convenes colleagues traveling to the same geographic regions to ensure coordination and collaboration.
• Engages volunteers in fundraising efforts and connects them to strategic engagement opportunities.
• Supports reunion programs, alumni relations, and gift officers with regional event planning or volunteer recruitment as needed.
• Staffs the Regional Major Gifts Committee for the Tulane Campaign under the direction of the department head.
• Supports the President, Provost, deans, Executive Vice President, trustees, and others in the region as needed.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college and 3 years of direct fundraising experience in soliciting and closing major and multi-year annual gifts in a research university environment (preferred). Transferable experience in marketing, admissions, public relations, alumni relations, trust officer roles, or sales may be considered.
• OR High school diploma or equivalent and 9 years of directly related experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to write and speak clearly, sincerely, and compellingly.
• Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising, preferably in higher education.
• Experience building relationships with constituents such as alumni, clients, or volunteers.
• Ability to travel substantially (50%) and attend events on evenings and weekends.
• Strong organizational skills, including managing multiple activities, demands, or projects simultaneously while maintaining effectiveness and collaboration.
• Demonstrated initiative and self-starting capacity.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a research university environment.
• Professional style to work effectively with university leadership, trustees, volunteers, and top donors.
• Commitment to the values of higher education.
• Ability to articulate and represent Tulane University’s mission and vision.
• Knowledge of software systems such as Word, Excel, and prospect management databases.