Executive Director, Development and Major Gifts - University Advancement

University Advancement supports Carnegie Mellon University's vision of having a transformative impact on society through continual innovation in education, research, creativity and entrepreneurship by championing its mission, building relationships with its various constituencies, and securing critical private philanthropic support. As the division grows, we are searching for an Executive Director, Development and Major Gifts to join our team.

The Executive Director, Development and Major Gifts provides strategic leadership for a central team of major gift officers and oversees key fundraising initiatives that support University Advancement's philanthropic goals. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, this role will supervise a team of gift officers whose portfolios align with the schools and colleges, central units, and priority programs--including parent philanthropy--and is responsible for ensuring alignment and collaboration across the advancement ecosystem, including close coordination with the Chief Advancement Officers and the Annual Giving Digital Gift Officer team.

The Executive Director manages a personal portfolio of approximately 50-75 prospects with a rated giving capacity of $50,000 or more and is responsible for the full lifecycle of donor engagement: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The position requires 8-10 annual trips outside the Pittsburgh region for donor engagement.

This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and continually refining a university-wide parent fundraising program, leading its philanthropic strategy and execution, and ensuring its alignment and integration with the institution's broader advancement priorities.

This role provides inspirational leadership to the major gifts team--setting goals and metrics, coaching and developing gift officers, and applying University Advancement best practices to monitor performance. The Executive Director ensures cohesive operations across fundraising teams and fosters a collaborative, high-performing culture grounded in transparent communication, shared strategy, and continuous improvement.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE

• In consultation with the Associate Vice President for Development, determine the highest-priority areas for deploying gift officers, and reassess these priorities annually.
• Direct gift officers in the solicitation of gifts and management of prospect portfolios, including establishing relationship strategies, recommending proposal purposes and levels, identifying key participants in cultivation and solicitation, and ensuring solicitations are executed effectively.
• Develop and implement work plans for gift officers, including progress tracking, prospect assignment, and performance metrics tied to annual dollar and donor goals.
• Supervise gift officer staff, including hiring, training, performance management, coaching, and mentoring. Serve as a team leader who motivates and develops colleagues.
• Stay informed about university programs, new initiatives, faculty research, and student activities to support informed prospect strategy, engagement, and communication.
• Coordinate closely with Prospect Management and Annual Giving Digital Gift Officer teams to strengthen the donor pipeline.
• Collaborate with central and unit-based advancement partners--including Chief Advancement Officers, donor relations, alumni relations, and advancement resources--to support integrated development strategies.
• Oversee volunteer management for the ACS program and ACS board.
• Proactively build strong partnerships with faculty, deans, and advancement colleagues, coordinating multi-touch engagements with prospects and donors.
• Qualify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects through personal visits, mail, phone, and volunteer engagement as needed. Travel 8-10 times per year and maintain a personal goal of 12-15 proposal submissions annually. Promote alumni relations activities and development events to assigned prospects.
• Manage and develop an assigned portfolio of major gift prospects, including establishing relationship plans, recommending gift purposes and levels, identifying key participants in cultivation and solicitation, and closing solicitations.
• Report regularly on progress toward goals, including solicitations, commitments, and qualifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

YOU SHOULD DEMONSTRATE

• Strong knowledge of the principles of fundraising;
• The ability to understand the objectives of the University Advancement division, and to integrate fundraising goals with those objectives;
• The ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and alter strategic advancement plans for prospect moves management;
• A personal belief in mission, goals and objectives of private higher education and ability to articulate the case for support for the vision/mission/goals of Carnegie Mellon;
• An interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the university's fundraising priorities through developing excellent working relationships with university constituencies;
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills;
• Broad knowledge of tax laws that impact charitable giving, personal assets and estates; and
• A willingness to travel to other university locations, both on and off campus, including travel around the region and to other areas of the country.

In addition to these general skills, the position requires the ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) to initiate contacts with potential donors; (2) to develop and execute appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers, faculty, and university leadership; (3) to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) to make solicitations when appropriate; and (5) to maintain stewardship contacts with donors.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of training and experience required (masters degree preferred)
• At least ten years of progressively responsible development experience in higher education fundraising, with at least five of those years in management.
• Strong supervisory experience in leading, mentoring, and evaluating the performance of direct reports, fostering a high-performing team.
• Experience in volunteer management and working with board members.
• A combination of education and experience in which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

REQUIREMENTS

• Successful background check
• Valid state driver's license. Must complete a driver's license verification on an annual basis and complete the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving training program once every three years.
• Evening and weekend work will occasionally be required.

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits. Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.