Assistant Director, Development

University of Dayton; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Dayton is seeking an Assistant Director of Development to join the Regional Philanthropy Team. You will cultivate and solicit a portfolio of major gift prospects, focusing on outright gifts and 3-5 year pledges, and manage travel locally and regionally to build donor relationships.

You will qualify, cultivate, and solicit alumni, parents, and friends, using phone, email, and in-person visits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Two years of fundraising or outside sales experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with diverse constituents.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Ability to travel domestically and maintain a flexible schedule.
• Valid driver's license and insurability.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and solicit outright gifts and 3–5 year pledges.
• Devise cultivation and solicitation strategies and travel regionally to meet goals.
• Engage alumni, parents, and friends through phone, email, and in-person visits.
• Coordinate with volunteers and staff to move solicitations forward and steward donors.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Travel domestically

MS Office & Google Workspace

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Salesforce

Job description

Job No: 503945
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Dayton, OH
Category: University Staff
Department: Major Gifts - 300110
Pay Grade: B - Exempt
Advertised: October 20, 2026
Applications close: November 03, 2026

Position Summary:

The University of Dayton is a top-tier Catholic, Marianist research university with academic offerings from the undergraduate to the doctoral levels. Our mission is to educate the whole person and link learning and scholarship with leadership and service. University Advancement promotes a culture of philanthropy, volunteer engagement and lifelong relationships in support of the University’s mission. As we prepare for a new president in July 2027, we are growing our exceptional team of passionate, mission-driven Advancement professionals and are looking for an Assistant Director, Development to join our Regional Philanthropy Team. Apply today and be part of helping us build our next campaign!

The Assistant Director is responsible for the development and management of a portfolio of major gift prospects, focusing on solicitations of outright gifts and 3 - 5 year pledges for University of Dayton and its programs. The Assistant Director will qualify, cultivate, and solicit University of Dayton alumni/ae, parents and friends capable of making major gifts. Devise and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies (including ask amounts) and meet activity and revenue goals by planning, managing, and maintaining a regular travel schedule both locally and to assigned regional territories. Execute cultivation methods including telephone, email, and personal visits with prospective donors. Participate in events and programs in support of development activities. Engage key volunteers and effectively utilize established events and other activities to move solicitations forward. Conduct appropriate stewardship activities to further enhance the relationship between assigned donors and UD. Initiate and maintain contact to promote positive donor relations. Solicit major gifts to fund core university priorities; working with donors directly and working with department colleagues, unit fundraisers and volunteers. Effectively communicate progress of cultivation efforts and results of visits with relevant staff and by documentation in contact reports, with particular emphasis on major donor prospect identification. Identify and qualify prospects each year for major gift capacity and interest. Act as liaison between the Office of Development and various university departments and donors. This position reports to the Director & Team Lead, Development.

The Assistant Director will work from an office at University of Dayton or out of a home office, preferably in the West Region, due to the location of assigned prospects.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two years of experience in university based fundraising, non profit fundraising, or outside sales.
• Successful demonstration in reaching defined goals.
• Strong written communication and verbal communication skills with various constituent types.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Ability to travel domestically and work a flexible schedule as needed.
• This position requires a valid driver's license, low risk driving record and insurability by the University.

Preferred Qualifications:

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• Greater than two years of experience in university based fundraising, non profit fundraising, or outside sales.
• Demonstrated successful experience in the following:
  - soliciting and securing gifts face to face with prospects, problem solving
  - applying organizational skills to a fundraising or sales position held
  - developing short term and long term strategies for prospects
  - providing customer service
  - adapting to changing needs and environment
  - effectively managing multiple, concurrent tasks
  - effectively managing volunteers
  - maximizing results by defining and following a plan
  - developing and maintaining relationships
• Exercise good judgment in discussing alumni, issues and results.
• Maintain composure and calm demeanor in difficult situations.
• Previous work experience in higher education or non profit environment.
• Commitment to the University's Catholic/Marianist character, personal integrity and a strong work ethic.
• Successful demonstration in exceeding defined fundraising goals.
• Experience working in advancement databases such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce.
• Ability to promote inclusive excellence in the workplace and community.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The University does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position.

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.

• Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) 1