"Director of Development"

Director of Development (2 Positions)

School of Business and Economics (SBE)
School of Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET)

Brandeis University is seeking two visionary and strategic Directors of Development to lead advancement efforts for the School of Business and Economics (SBE) and the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET). These are exceptional opportunities for dynamic development professionals who are energized by building partnerships, elevating academic priorities, and empowering world-class students and faculty through philanthropy.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Development, Academic Advancement, each Director of Development (DoD) will serve as the chief advancement partner to their respective Dean and school leadership. In this highly collaborative role, you will connect donors, alumni, faculty, and university leadership to create powerful philanthropic opportunities that drive academic excellence, innovation, and social impact.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume/CV.

The hiring range is $129,600 - $155,400.

What You Will Do

Champion a Culture of Philanthropy

• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to the Dean, helping shape and advance a comprehensive philanthropic vision for your school.
• Build and execute strategies that strengthen donor engagement, celebrate key milestones, and inspire broad community support.
• Coordinate seamlessly with Institutional Advancement (IA) to align goals, messaging, and fundraising priorities.

Accelerate Academic Impact

• Work closely with the Dean, senior leadership, department chairs, and faculty to identify transformative funding opportunities.
• Craft compelling proposals, briefings, and reports that showcase the school’s strengths and ambitions.
• Manage and optimize the Dean’s time related to donor cultivation, stewardship, and prospect engagement.

Lead Portfolio and Donor Strategy

• Manage a portfolio of 50–75 high-potential prospects, guiding them through meaningful and strategic philanthropic journeys.
• Partner with colleagues across IA—including Donor Relations, Alumni Relations, and Direct Marketing—to design coordinated outreach and engagement strategies supporting school priorities.
• Ensure every donor is thoughtfully stewarded and connected to the impact of their giving.

Who You Are

You are a relationship-builder, strategist, and collaborator who thrives in a mission-driven environment. You enjoy partnering closely with academic leaders and bringing their visions to life through philanthropy. You excel at connecting people with purpose, managing complex priorities, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire action.

You believe deeply in the transformative power of education—and you’re ready to help shape the future of two of Brandeis’ most dynamic academic schools.

Why Brandeis?

Brandeis is a research university with a strong liberal arts foundation, committed to academic rigor, social justice, and innovation. You’ll join a community of passionate faculty, ambitious students, and dedicated colleagues who are driven by values and united by purpose.

This is a chance to build something significant: to help define philanthropic strategy, deepen alumni and donor relationships, and support the work of schools at the forefront of business, science, technology, and discovery.