Executive Director, Major Giving

Department Summary

The Executive Director of Development provides strategic leadership for a team of development officers who work directly with deans, colleges, and other university units to advance fundraising goals and enhance donor engagement. In close partnership with the Associate Vice President and Vice President of Advancement, the Executive Director will help design and implement action plans that strengthen prospect management, build the donor pipeline, and drive major and principal gift strategies.

This position plays a key role in coordinating development strategies across colleges and administrative areas, ensuring alignment with university-wide fundraising priorities. The Executive Director will manage a personal portfolio of major gift prospects and will collaborate with development officers and campus partners to create personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that strengthen long-term relationships with donors.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of development officers supporting various colleges and units.
• Collaborate with advancement leadership to design, implement, and execute strategic fundraising and engagement plans.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal and major gift prospects and donors to advance university priorities.
• Partner with academic leaders, unit directors, and colleagues across Advancement to align fundraising strategy with institutional goals.
• Contribute to the development of long-term fundraising strategies that strengthen the donor pipeline and advance campus-wide initiatives.
• Provide leadership and oversight for key projects, initiatives, and fundraising campaigns.
• Represent the development team in meetings with internal and external stakeholders, influencing decision-making and promoting collaboration.

Position Profile

Works collaboratively to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal gifts from critical, high profile prospects/donors that will enhance university-wide priorities. Designs and implements strategic fundraising plans through collaboration for academic units, regional campuses and complex markets. Manages constituency programs. Cultivates relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, and corporations to support the University's mission. Ensures the University has the resources necessary for growth and engages the community to advance its long-term goals.