"Director of Development (Major Gifts Officer)"

Director of Development

Company: Dillard University

Job Location:

Category: Development and Fundraising

Type: Full-Time

Job Title: Director of Development (Major Gifts Officer)

Department: Institutional Advancement

Division: Office of Institutional Advancement

Reports To: Vice President, Institutional Advancement & Strategic Communications

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

Dillard University seeks a Director of Development to serve as the lead frontline fundraiser for the Office of Institutional Advancement and Strategic Communications. This position is responsible for building and managing a disciplined major gifts program that generates significant philanthropic support for scholarships, academic programs, student success initiatives, and institutional priorities. The Director of Development cultivates, solicits, and stewards major donors while strengthening the overall culture of giving at the university.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of 75 to 100 qualified prospects with giving capacity of $25,000 or more.
• Conduct 12 to 15 meaningful donor meetings each month to cultivate and solicit major gifts.
• Qualify at least 60 new prospects within the first year and maintain a strong donor pipeline.
• Prepare, present, and close major gift proposals.

Fundraising Strategy

• Develop cases for support aligned with institutional priorities.
• Partner with the Vice President to design multi-year giving strategies for scholarships, academic initiatives, and emerging projects.
• Support campaign readiness activities including prospect planning and volunteer engagement.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship

• Execute individualized stewardship plans for all major donors.
• Provide personalized impact reports and regular updates for donors whose gifts support scholarships, programs, or endowed funds.
• Record all donor interactions and activity in Raiser’s Edge in a timely manner.

Collaboration

• Work closely with the President, Provost, deans, faculty, and program leaders to understand and communicate funding needs.
• Prepare donor meeting briefings for senior leadership.
• Coordinate with other members of the advancement team to ensure comprehensive donor engagement.

Data and Reporting

• Maintain accurate documentation in Raiser’s Edge including proposals, contact reports, and donor movement.
• Participate in monthly pipeline meetings and produce activity reports summarizing visits, proposals, and commitments.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Five years of fundraising, business development, or related experience with a record of securing significant gifts or accounts.
• Strong writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and steward donors or clients.
• Proficiency with CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge.
• Ability to travel and participate in evening or weekend events as needed.

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