Executive Director of Philanthropy, Worldwide Campus

shaping the future of flight and beyond.

The Opportunity

Since its inception, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has remained best in class — the unquestioned global leader in aerospace education, and the definitive source of innovation in aviation and aerospace education and research. The largest, most comprehensive institution of its kind, Embry-Riddle was founded in 1926, 22 years after the Wright brothers’ first demonstration of piloted, powered flight: 12 seconds that changed the world and eventually brought Embry-Riddle into being. Today, with our 100-year legacy of innovation and excellence in education, even greater accomplishments lie ahead — and above!

Embry-Riddle holds multiple Top 10 academic rankings. Our aerospace engineering programs, for example, have routinely been judged to be the nation’s best. With a long history of serving those who serve, Embry-Riddle is annually named “Best for Veterans.” In addition, the university’s online bachelor’s degree programs have ranked first or second in the nation for the past eight years. And, Embry-Riddle’s professional pilot degree programs are the unquestioned gold standard for aspiring aviators.

As we enter our Centennial Campaign, there has never been a more exciting time to make your mark on our University’s history. We seek a dynamic and seasoned fundraiser to join the Office of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement in the role of Executive Director of Philanthropy for our Worldwide Campus.

Backed by an international reputation for academic excellence, Embry‑Riddle’s Worldwide campus is an online community that takes pride in its longstanding relationship with the U.S. military and in supporting veterans. Under the leadership of Chancellor John Watret, the Worldwide campus offers degree programs from aviation and applied sciences to business, engineering, intelligence and space.

The Executive Director of Philanthropy for the Worldwide campus works to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts from alumni and community partners. The ideal candidate will provide leadership and coordination to the campus in approaching donors for major gifts and working closely with academic leadership, faculty, and development colleagues. They will develop and implement fundraising strategies, prepare compelling oral and written proposals, build and maintain effective relationships with booster supporters.

Reporting to Senior Executive Director of Philanthropy-Worldwide, and collaborating closely with the Worldwide campus leadership, the Executive Director of Philanthropy will chart the course for campus-wide fundraising success, cultivating relationships with esteemed alumni, foundations, and our many corporate partners.

This isn't just a job – it's an opportunity to be a catalyst for change, a champion of innovation, and a guardian of our legacy. If you're ready to make waves, break barriers, and leave an indelible mark on the future of aerospace education, we want you on our team.

Key Responsibilities:

70% Major gifts. The Executive Director will be assigned a portfolio of 75 to 150 major prospects and shall conduct discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship within this portfolio. The portfolio will consist of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects with a focus on closing $1-2M annually in philanthropic support. They will engage current and prospective donors through print or electronic correspondence, calls, encounters at events, and, most importantly, individual, face-to-face visits, traveling extensively. The Executive Director will track solicitation/stewardship progress and results in Salesforce, the University’s database, following ERAU’s prospect management guidelines.

Develop long-term strategies and tactics for each prospect, implement them, and collaborate with division colleagues to achieve unit and institutional donor engagement and stewardship goals. The Executive Director’s primary responsibility is to work with the Worldwide Chancellor and his leadership team to develop and execute giving strategies for the prospects assigned to them.

15% Unit liaison. Coordinate and participate in development activities within the Worldwide campus. Assist in coordinating central advancement efforts in the areas of annual giving, advancement communications, data acquisition, planned giving programming, donor relations, and donor impact reporting associated with the Worldwide campus. Advise the Chancellor on the institution’s philanthropic policies, practices, schedules, and strategies, as well as general best practices in philanthropy. Ensure a healthy relationship between the campus, central advancement, and the University. Effectively deploy the campus Chancellor and his personnel to support fundraising goals. Build lasting, effective relationships with administrators, faculty, and staff across campus to engage them in philanthropic efforts.

15% Collaboration and communication. Synthesize complex scientific concepts and programs into donor-friendly and compelling language for proposals. Regularly prepare fundraising outreach/updates/communications on behalf of the campus to ensure robust donor engagement and awareness of the fundraising needs. Stay apprised of upcoming University outreach events to secure new major gift leads. In conjunction with the stewardship and communications team, create written reports for foundations and updates for faculty, craft acknowledgment letters, and respond to requests from faculty, donors, and advancement colleagues. As part of engagement efforts, initiate appropriate contact and develop meaningful and effective development events for donors and prospective donors to showcase unique opportunities for support.

Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle!

• Health Benefits: Experience comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with wellness programs that include preventive care and fitness memberships. Our flexible spending and health savings accounts simplify managing healthcare costs. Join a workplace that prioritizes your health—because your journey to wellness should be rewarding! Buckle up for a healthier, happier you!
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes an annual 6% gift of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution, with no vesting period.
• Generous Time Off: Relax with 18 days of personal leave in your first year. Enjoy 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

Qualifications

Required Education and Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree is required (foreign equivalent or higher). Ten (10) years of full-time fundraising experience in higher education, a complex healthcare system, or a large non-profit. Proven record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major level ($100,000+) gifts from individual donors. Experience managing numerous priorities and a broad portfolio of donor/client relationships. Experience with Salesforce or comparable donor relationship applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

A master’s degree is preferred. Additional years of fundraising experience in higher education, a large non-profit, or a healthcare institution, experience at an academic or medical center, experience managing volunteers or an advisory board, comfort with high-net-worth individuals, including the ability to maintain confidential information, basic knowledge of planned giving vehicles and techniques, and experience developing a new donor constituency are strongly preferred.

Application process/requirements

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R310835. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include:

• Cover letter
• Full Resume
• Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process)

Current Embry-Riddle employees: Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday.