Regional Director of Development, The Fuqua School of Business

About the role

The Regional Director of Development (level 15) at the Fuqua School of Business is a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team that supports students from diverse backgrounds as they pursue careers in business and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects ($100,000 and above), typically within specified geographic regions.
• Report to the Executive Director of Development and collaborate closely with Fuqua’s Dean, Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, and colleagues across Fuqua and Duke University.
• Contribute to donor engagement strategy and initiatives that advance Fuqua’s mission and impact.
• Fundraise with Purpose:
  • Identify and qualify prospects who have the ability to significantly support Fuqua.
  • Manage a portfolio of 100+ major gift prospects ($100,000+), cultivating and soliciting support through in-person, virtual, and phone meetings.
  • Carry significant fundraising metrics, including meetings and dollars raised.
  • Engage senior administrators and faculty in fundraising initiatives.
  • Solicit Annual Fund gifts and multi-year pledges to support Fuqua’s strategic priorities.
  • Stay continuously informed of Fuqua’s strategic vision and opportunities for philanthropic support, taking advantage of opportunities to learn within Fuqua and across Duke.
  • Communicate philanthropic support and broader school priorities to alumni, volunteers, and donors.
• Strategize and Collaborate:
  • Use university-wide prospect tracking systems to coordinate efforts and document activity.
  • Write timely, accurate, and complete reports on prospect activity to enable continuous advancement of prospects.
  • Partner with Duke’s central development team and other schools to engage multi-interest prospects.
  • Serve as a key member of Fuqua’s seven-person front-line fundraising team.
• Steward and Engage:
  • Create personalized stewardship plans.
  • Collaborate on alumni engagement initiatives and board nominations.
  • Communicate Fuqua’s vision and philanthropic opportunities to alumni, volunteers, and donors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of fundraising experience (higher ed or Duke experience preferred).
• Passion for graduate business education and understanding of business trends.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills.
• Comfort engaging senior-level executives.
• Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and SAP-based tools.
• Strong work ethic, adaptability, and a sense of humor.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, ability to operate in a decentralized, nuanced environment, and experience handling confidential information.
• Willingness to travel extensively and work evenings/weekends.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) preferred.
• Experience in higher education fundraising.
• Experience working with alumni and volunteers.
• Experience in developing and executing fundraising strategies.
• Experience in managing large portfolios of prospects.
• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with senior leaders.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to travel extensively.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision care programs.
• Generous retirement contributions.
• Family-friendly policies and resources.
• Cultural and wellness programs.

Pay

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision care programs
• Generous retirement contributions
• Family-friendly policies and resources
• Cultural and wellness programs

Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits