Senior Director of Development

Senior Director of Development

Company:

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Job Location:

Category:

Development and Fundraising

Type:

Full-Time

Fuel innovation. Empower future leaders. Transform what’s possible.

At Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), we don’t just educate -- we solve, build, and lead. We are seeking a visionary Senior Director of Development to drive philanthropic impact at a pivotal moment in our institution’s growth. This is more than a fundraising role -- it’s an opportunity to connect passionate donors with bold ideas, lead a high-performing team, and help shape the future of our students’ success. Your work will directly support a university defined by hands-on learning and meaningful outcomes.

Who We Are
MSOE is an academic institution intrinsically tied to the real world - a confluence of industry knowledge, work ethic and an enduring desire to know more. The university offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in engineering, computer science, machine learning, user experience, construction management, actuarial science, business and nursing. With about 3,000 students, faculty and staff, MSOE is large enough for big opportunities and small enough for personal attention.

A Small University Dedicated to Achieving Big Things
MSOE is a supportive environment where everyone is valued. Our method of learning by doing is our distinction: it is how we teach, how we learn and how we serve. MSOE’s top priority is serving our students. By joining our community, you are building the leaders of tomorrow.

Our Mission
MSOE is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. We are united by our six values - collaboration, excellence, inclusion, innovation, integrity and stewardship - which represent the core of our campus culture. MSOE has embarked on an ambitious strategic plan, Extraordinary Together, that propels the institution forward. At MSOE, we are dedicated to promoting an academic environment marked by an unwavering respect for every individual.

Our Leadership
MSOE is under the leadership of Dr. Eric Baumgartner. He began his Presidency in January 2026 after having served as the Executive Vice President of Academics at MSOE since 2017.

Summary
MSOE invites applications for a full-time Senior Director of Development to join our University Advancement team. Under the direction of the Vice President of University Advancement (VPUA), the Senior Director of Development is a mission-driven, strategic fundraising leader responsible for securing major and principal gifts that advance MSOE’s top institutional priorities. Duties include oversight and management of the development staff and campaigns to achieve the philanthropic goals of the university, in accordance with MSOE’s established policies and procedures. The Senior Director plays a pivotal role in strengthening MSOE’s long-term financial sustainability, expanding philanthropic partnerships, and stewarding donors who fuel innovation and student success. This leader manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects; partners closely with academic and administrative leadership; and provides guidance to development staff to ensure an integrated, high-performing fundraising program.

Essential Job Functions

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

• Partners with the VPUA to refine and execute long-term fundraising strategies aligned with MSOE’s mission and campaign goals.
• Provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of fundraising campaigns to ensure successful execution and achievement of revenue and participation goals.
• Leads by example to foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, transparency and donor-centered stewardship.
• Works closely with Office of the President, chairs, faculty and campus leaders to translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities and collaborating on donor engagement strategies.
• Collaborates across UA to ensure an integrated advancement function and seamless donor experiences.

Management of a Portfolio of Major and Principal Gift Donors/Prospects

• The Senior Director of Development is responsible for the development and management of a portfolio of qualified major and principal prospects and donors at the $25,000 level and above. This includes discovery of new prospects and managing them effectively through the early cultivation, advanced cultivation, solicitations, closed gift and stewardship stages to achieve annual metrics in line with MSOE’s strategic priorities. The Senior Director of Development will complete a minimum of 100 personal meetings that meet the standard for qualified action. In addition, he/she will achieve metrics for prospects added to the development portfolio, number of solicitations, number of solicitations closed and total dollars committed during each fiscal year.
• Prepares compelling proposals, briefings, and donor materials in collaboration with UA team.
• Responsible for developing a cultivation and solicitation strategy for each prospect under management and entering call reports for each completed action in a timely manner.
• Responsible for the timely completion for gift agreements, letters-of-intent and in-kind gift forms to document donor commitments.

Supervision of Development Team

• The Senior Director of Development is responsible for leading and managing a development team to include annual giving, major gifts and deferred giving including the supervision, coaching and evaluation of the team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on donor strategy, accountability and shared goals. He/she will develop an annual plan and budget for the development program.
• In consultation with the VPUA, the Senior Director of Development provides oversight for the Director of Annual Giving to develop an annual plan and budget to achieve fundraising goals for unrestricted and restricted funds at MSOE. This includes targeted goals for direct mail, phonathon, e-appeals (including “Giving Day”), crowdfunding and constituent based fundraising programs. Additionally, the Senior Director reviews the annual leadership and major gift portfolio for the Director of Annual Giving and the Assistant Director of Annual Giving to develop annual metrics for each staff member. The Senior Director of Development provides management review and support to ensure annual goals are achieved.
• In consultation with the VPUA, the Senior Director of Development provides oversight for the major and planned giving staff. He/she conducts an annual review of each development staff member’s assigned portfolio and development annual metrics for qualified actions, number and value of solicitations and closed gifts. The Senior Director of Development assists the development team in developing cultivation and solicitation strategies to ensure prospects are advanced in an efficient and effective manner to ensure fundraising goals are achieved. He/she conducts a monthly development staff meeting to review the progress toward goals and review future activities.
• Ensures the development staff are provided professional development opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills.
• Provides monthly and quarterly reports to document progress toward established goals.
• Completes annual performance evaluation for the development staff.

Development Operation and Strategy

• The Senior Director of Development is responsible for the review and approval of all gift agreements, letters-of-intent and in-kind gift forms.
• Assist the VPUA with the management of the university’s principal gift portfolio. This includes the development and maintenance of identified principal gift prospects under management, development of cultivation and solicitation strategies to ensure relations are managed in an efficient and effective manner to achieve the philanthropic goals of the university.
• Provides support for the VPUA in support of the Board of Regents Development Committee and Nominating Committee.
• As a senior member of the Office of University Advancement, the Senior Director of Development provides input and advice on matter related to department operations.

University Advancement Support
The Senior Director of Development serves as a member of the University Advancement team and will provide support for events and activities of the office.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend meetings as required.
• Staff events as required.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. An advanced degree is highly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in comprehensive development programs.
• Demonstrated experience in securing major and principal gifts.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and manage relationships.
• A demonstrated commitment to ethics and integrity.
• Must have excellent communications skills.
• Ability to travel and work evenings/weekends as needed.

Why Join MSOE?
At MSOE, we invest in our employees’ professional and personal growth. MSOE offers competitive, fully comprehensive benefit plans to all full-time employees including medical, dental, life, disability and vision insurance, 13 paid holidays, Paid Time Off, and paid parental leave, as well as a 403(b) retirement plan with company matching of up to 6% of employee earnings and immediate vesting. Educational benefits are available for employees and family members. Plus, employees have access to our state-of-the-art fitness center at no charge. Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, MSOE is just blocks away from the beautiful lakefront, the theater district, museums, sports and music venues, parks and shopping. To view more detailed information about MSOE, please visit www.msoe.edu/hr.