Director of Philanthropy

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title Director of Philanthropy Job Description

Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, the Director of Philanthropy role is to generate sustainable streams of major gift funding that will ensure the University's long-term financial health. The Director will align major gifts fundraising with the University's overall mission. The Director shall manage a portfolio of prospects; cultivate and solicit major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations through in-person visits; write grants; plan and execute donor engagement and stewardship strategies; foster a campus and community culture of philanthropy; and regularly report on the Development staff members' individual and overall progress to goals. The Director will recruit, manage, mentor, and inspire their team of major gift solicitors, modeling and fostering collaboration, professional growth, and high performance.

The Director will work closely with the Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Office, the Foundation staff and its Board, and other volunteer organizations. The Director will serve as the primary staff member responsible for supporting the Foundation's Development Committee and will also guide the philanthropic elements of one or more donor engagement groups, such as advisory councils. The Director oversees the Department's budget and operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develop and execute an annual plan to meet solicitation goals set by the Vice President of Advancement, reporting each month on progress being made toward reaching goals.
• Use the institution's Donor and Gift Data system and other tools to identify new prospects and donor cultivation approaches.
• Create and execute fundraising strategies for individual donors, corporations, and foundations.
• Prepare collateral, draft gift agreements, and plan donor engagement and stewardship materials.
• As assigned, write and submit philanthropic grants.
• Ensure that each solicitor remains well-versed both on the proper procedures for securing and documenting gifts as well as on the institution's fundraising priorities, including special opportunities within individual Colleges and departments at the University.
• Supervise a team of field solicitors who make in-person visits to donors and prospects. Contribute to team goal-setting, coach direct reports, and conduct annual evaluations. Hire and fire solicitors.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Foundation Development Committee and Alumni Board Development Committee.
• Direct recruitment, engagement, and solicitations of donor / volunteers to philanthropy-oriented councils and giving societies.
• Integrate strategies, specific plans, resources, and timelines across Advancement and the Foundation.
• Oversee Philanthropy Office budget.
• Other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Outstanding interpersonal and public speaking skills
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; effectively and compellingly communicate ideas and organizational achievements, needs, and opportunities.
• Highly motivated, organized, creative and flexible.
• Experienced in best practices in fund development.
• Demonstrated strategic thinker.
• Poised, polished, and professional demeanor.
• Demonstrated leadership in a team setting working with staff, Board members and other volunteers to accomplish fundraising objectives. Proficient department manager. Possesses strong leadership, team-building, and motivational skills and holds supervised personnel accountable for performance.
• Ability to train staff and volunteers in fundraising best practices.
• Proficient in core computer skills including word processing, database management, spreadsheets, navigating the web and electronic communications.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently, maintain self-motivation and persist in the face of challenges.
• Ability to reliably and frequently travel to meet with donors.
• Experience using a donor and gift database or other type of CRM platform.
• Possesses or has the ability to form a deep and genuine commitment to the University's mission

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, and
• Three (3) years of successful experience in major gifts, outside sales, grant writing, membership or volunteer organization leadership, or
• A similar combination of skills and experience to successfully perform the duties of the position..
• Must have at least 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, and
• Five (5) years of successful experience in outside sales, grant writing, membership or volunteer organization leadership, or
• Three (3) years of major gift fundraising in a University setting or a similar combination of skills and experience to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• At least 2 years of management experience with professional staff.

Physical Demands

• Light Work
• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Exertion of forces consistent with sedentary work.

FLSA Exempt Additional Demands

Will require some nights, weekends, or early hours.

Will require some travel.

Hours of Work

Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number S842P Open Date 06/01/2026 Priority Deadline 06/12/2026 Open Until Filled Yes

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • What is your highest level of education attained?

(Open Ended Question)

• • How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

• 0-1

• 1-3

• 3-5

• 5-7

• 7+

• • Are you available to work weekends?

• Yes

• No

• • Please describe the attributes that will make you a strong candidate for this position

(Open Ended Question)

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Transcripts (unofficial)
• Professional References (3-5 with contact information)

Optional Documents