"Executive Director of Development for Major and Leadership Gifts"

Job Summary

The Executive Director of Development for Major and Leadership Gifts, reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, and leads the implementation of a comprehensive individual fundraising strategy, which includes leadership and major gifts.

The position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, engaging, soliciting, and stewarding existing major and individual donors and new prospects.

As a frontline fundraiser, the Executive Director will implement the individual major and leadership gifts strategy to achieve fundraising goals and diversify the organization’s individual donor pool of alumni and friends.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. It in no way states or implies that the responsibilities listed are the only duties required to perform in this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position responsibilities if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

• With the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, create and execute the strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major and individual gift prospects. This includes working with current donors and establishing new relationships with high-capacity prospects
• Build and enhance the donor pipeline via visits, mailings, phone calls and individual meetings
• Provide counsel regarding the implementation of fundraising events
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key members of the campus community, including faculty, administrative and academic leadership
• Partner with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement on proposals as needed
• Maintain accurate and timely prospect reports, ensuring data is complete and updated in the alumni/donor database system
• Maintain an understanding of Mercy’s academic and programmatic offerings
• Actively contribute to the Institutional Advancement’s team and activities

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum of seven years of development experience with a proven track record of successfully securing leadership and major gifts from individual donors
• Experience in growing a portfolio of donors
• Experience in a higher education setting is preferred
• Proven leadership skills, with experience building, mentoring, and motivating high-performing teams
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and project management abilities
• Strong understanding of fundraising best practices
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills
• Proficiency with constituent relationship management (CRM) systems such as Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and drive cross-functional initiatives
• Flexible and adaptable, with a demonstrated ability to lead through change and ambiguity
• Unwavering commitment to confidentiality and ethical conduct
• Strong customer service orientation and a genuine interest in advancing the mission of Mercy University

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required