Director of Development Questrom School of Business Advancement

Director of Development, Questrom School of Business, Advancement

Category

Charles River Campus --> Professional

Job Location

Boston, MA, United States

Tracking Code

26501063300928

Posted Date

10/8/2026

Salary Grade

Grade 00

Expected Hiring Range Minimum

$188,025.00

Expected Hiring Range Maximum

$263,275.00

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University''s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

Boston University Advancement

Boston University Advancement is at a pivotal moment, guided by new leadership and a clear strategic framework for growth and impact. Our work centers on three core priorities: securing $500 million in philanthropy annually; deepening relationships with a strategically defined segment of alumni and donors; and strengthening the organizational foundation while launching focused priority areas across the University.

Advancement is evolving into a highly collaborative, matrixed model that integrates new University leadership, regional engagement, and the distinctive strengths of BU's schools and colleges. With more than 250 advancement professionals, the organization is building the capacity, partnerships, and culture required to deliver sustained philanthropic momentum and institutional impact.

Director of Development

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President, Questrom Advancement, and working closely in support of the Dean of Questrom School of Business, this role will utilize initiative, self-confidence, organization, determination, and comfort working with highly productive and collaborative teams to partner in planning and advancing a wide range of activities, programs, and priorities to meet Advancement, University, and School fundraising goals.

The Director carries a portfolio of approximately 80 (-100) major gift prospects. The Director will be responsible for developing a regular cadence of strategic opportunities focused on engaging existing and prospective major donors with the end goal of qualifying, soliciting, and closing major gifts.

In consultation with the Associate Vice President, the Director of Development will establish long-range goals and objectives for development programs and activities that reflect academic and campaign priorities. This individual will engage high-level volunteers to link the community to development programs and assist with specific solicitations and other programmatic elements as needed; meet with faculty and staff in priority areas to learn their research interests and areas of expertise; and represent Questrom and its priorities to the broader community.

The Director will collaborate across Advancement to coordinate thoughtful engagement strategies for BU's leading Questrom prospects and donors, partnering with colleagues in Principal Giving, Regional Giving, Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, and school/college teams.

The Director will build strong relationships across Questrom and Advancement; use data to identify and cultivate prospects aligned with University and school priorities; engage volunteers and donors to expand private support; and help plan and participate in major gift solicitations. This work will require travel across the U.S., particularly in New England and Metro New York, where Questrom alumni are most concentrated.

Position Responsibilities

Prospect Identification, Cultivation, and Solicitation (65%)

• Work with the Dean, Associate Vice President, Advancement, Questrom, and other staff to create a core of prospects for major and principal gift in support of Questrom and university-wide priorities as appropriate. Monitor the progress of individual prospects as they are moved from initial contact through solicitation. Coordinate and orchestrate prospect strategies. Use/analyze available data to develop constituencies and identify prospects in relation to Questrom priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of Major and Principal gift prospects, ideally in the 80-100 range, consisting of 1/3 discovery; 1/3 cultivation; and 1/3 stewardship/donor relations. Travel as appropriate to cultivate and solicit gift prospects ($500K-$4.9M+)
• Develop long-range, comprehensive cultivation strategies and timetables, taking advantage of broader cultivation opportunities when possible and creating unique cultivation activities when appropriate.
• Arrange appropriate opportunities for the Dean, faculty, and other Questrom administrators to meet with donors and volunteers in forums designed to engender increased interest and support.
• In consultation with Planned Giving and Corporate and Foundation Relations, devise specific strategies and timetables for the successful solicitation of individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Prepare or direct the preparation of written proposals, gift agreements and/or other special materials for use in specific solicitations.
• Meet or exceed Advancement performance standards as defined by supervisor.

Prospect Management and Planning (25%)

• In consultation with the Associate Vice President, establish long-range goals and objectives for development programs and activities that reflect Questrom funding priorities as determined by the Dean.
• Determine market feasibility for Questrom funding priorities.
• Develop Questrom giving opportunities, gift proposals, and appropriate case statements.
• Establish close working relationships with Questrom faculty, department chairs, directors, and administrators; become thoroughly familiar with programs, activities, and research interests to develop accurate and compelling case statements, gift opportunities, and appropriate linkages with volunteers and prospective donors.
• Assist the Associate Vice President with preparing an annual operating plan designed to facilitate achievement of goals and objectives. Review and revise at appropriate intervals.
• Prepare an annual fundraising plan designed to facilitate achievement of goals and objectives with a pipeline of major, planned, and principal gifts plans and opportunities.
• Assist the Associate Vice President in developing annual budget request based on goals and objectives.
• With the Associate Vice President, conduct an annual review of results. Determine strengths and weaknesses of team efficiency, donor pipeline, fundraising programs, and modify plans and strategies accordingly.

Stewardship and Donor Relations (5%)

• With the Associate Vice President, Sr. Associate Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations and the Assistant Vice President Donor Relations and Stewardship, customize and implement systematic programming to assure regular contact with donors through annual reports and various stewardship and cultivation activities and events.
• Extend the courtesies of the University to donors and volunteers as appropriate.
• Encourage the active participation of donors and volunteers when appropriate.
• Provide vehicles for continued awareness on the part of donors of current needs and objectives in order to encourage continued giving.

Special Projects (5%)

• Special projects as assigned by the Dean, Associate Vice President, Vice President, School Development.

Required Skills

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 12+ years of directly related experience
• Outstanding and successful experience as a fundraiser, including comprehensive management of major and leadership gift prospects
• Strong development credentials, including a proven track record of building and developing a high-level portfolio
• Effective experience in enlisting and interacting with senior-level leadership volunteers and committees
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
• Superb judgment and the sensibility to adjudicate wisely among competing priorities
• A disposition to listen and circulate widely
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Exceptional reasoning, problem-solving and analytical skills, including an ability to translate ideas and concepts into clear, actionable steps
• Superb organizational skills and the ability to multitask
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with team members
• Energy and stamina, self-confidence and humility, a strong sense of purpose, a tolerance for ambiguity and a sense of humor
• Availability for extensive travel, as well as evening and weekend commitments as needed.

Additional Qualifications

• Advanced degree
• Comfort using data, CRM systems, and prospect research to inform fundraising strategy.
• Experience working with deans, faculty, senior administrators, and high-level volunteers to advance fundraising priorities.

But that's not all we're looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member's contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

To apply and learn more about Advancement at Boston University and other job opportunities, please stop by the Advancement Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/advancement-talent/.

We recognize that no candidate brings every experience or qualification to a role. If you''re excited about this opportunity and believe your skills and experiences could contribute to our team, we encourage you to apply, even if your background doesn''t align perfectly with every qualification listed. We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking, and we''re committed to building a team where everyone can thrive.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.