Assistant Director of Major Giving, Southeast

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY; Lower Merion Township (Montgomery County); Sur place; USD 118 000 - 132 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Villanova University seeks an Assistant Director of Major Giving, Southeast, to build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects across the Southeast. Based remotely in Florida, you will travel regularly and report to the Senior Director, Major Giving.

You will identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward donations, executing personalized engagement plans, with a target of 10–12 prospect visits per month and a portfolio of at least 125 prospects with $100,000+ capacity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three to five years of frontline fundraising experience in higher education or non-profit sector.
• Experience with major gift fundraising and donor stewardship.
• Travel required within the Southeast region.

Responsabilités

• Identify and manage a portfolio of at least 125 prospects, conducting 10–12 visits monthly.
• Develop and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies and stewardship plans.
• Support engagement for Southeast events and programs and coordinate with senior staff.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to grow regional fundraising efforts.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Connaissances

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Travel willingness

Team collaboration

Formation

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Description du poste

Assistant Director of Major Giving, Southeast

Posting Details

Posting Number: 20260431S

Position Title: Assistant Director of Major Giving, Southeast

Position Type: Staff

Location: Villanova, PA

Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants

Work Schedule: full-time/12-months Avg Hours Week

Department: 604 - University Advancement

Position Summary

Ignite Your Career at Villanova University! Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, you will improve lives and ignite change!

Why work at Villanova?

• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.

Villanova University has embarked on a 10-year strategic plan, Rooted. Restless., with the goal of enhancing the Augustinian Catholic living and learning experience for all members of our community. University Advancement is seeking exceptional talent to join our mission-driven team working together toward our shared vision for Villanova, fueled by the generosity of the University’s philanthropic supporters as we “keep moving” in the spirit of St. Augustine in the public phase of Villanova’s comprehensive capital campaign: Espiritus Nova.

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Major Giving for the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, the Assistant Director of Major Giving, Southeast serves a frontline fundraiser in Villanova’s key Southeast markets. This position is responsible for establishing and managing effective relationships with varied prospects and existing donors. As a member of the regional major giving team, this individual will play a critical role in advancing the University’s strategic priorities and fundraising goals.

The Assistant Director of Major Giving, Southeast will identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects and donors, developing individualized engagement strategies that inspire philanthropic support. As a remotely based member of the regional development team, the Assistant Director must be highly organized, self-motivated, and comfortable working independently while remaining closely connected to colleagues across University Advancement. Success in this role requires strong initiative, accountability, effective time-management, and the ability to proactively develop and advance a major gift portfolio with minimal day-to-day supervision. The Assistant Director, Southeast is expected to conduct 10-12 meaningful prospect visits per month and manage a portfolio of 125 prospects with philanthropic capacity of $100,000 or greater and take ownership of advancing relationships throughout the donor lifecycle. The portfolio will be primarily based in Florida with expected travel to other regions within the Southeast region, including Georgia, New Orleans and Tennessee.

In partnership with the Senior Director, the Assistant Director will help strengthen and expand Villanova’s fundraising presence throughout the Southeast. The individual will work closely with colleagues across Advancement, including Stewardship, Alumni Relations, and University leadership to grow and enhance the successful fundraising program in the Southeast within the context of Villanova University’s overall fundraising efforts. The incumbent will also support prospect engagement and involvement efforts related to cultivation and fundraising events in the Southeast region.

This position is based remotely in Florida, with strong preference for candidates residing in Naples or Palm Beach and requires regular travel throughout the Southeast region, and quarterly trips to campus (Philadelphia).

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify and manage a portfolio of at least 125 prospects which includes alumni and parents. Working from pipelines will be expected with support to review zip code and other data as needed. Establish and manage effective relationships with portfolio prospects and donors; conduct a minimum of 10-12 prospect visits monthly and assume stewardship responsibilities for assigned prospects. This will be measured by weekly metrics including quantity and type of outreach.
• Plan and implement prospect cultivation and solicitation strategies developing work and stewardship plans; identify and evaluate potential donors from available research, peer screenings, and event participation. Report results to Sr. Director of Major Giving and develop outreach plan.
• Support prospect engagement and involvement efforts for University-wide events and programs taking place in the Southeast. Be a point of contact for Florida-based constituents to engage in the life of the University; encourage participation in activities and evaluate potential for development involvement. In conjunction with the Sr. Director of Major Giving, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, provide support to the Southeast campaign committee.
• In conjunction with the Sr. Director of Major Giving, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast assist in coordinating development activities.
• Perform additional duties and assist with special projects and events as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three to five years of experience as a frontline fundraiser in higher education or non-profit sector.
• Proven successful experience in individual fundraising or related sales/business development experience required.
• Experience dealing with major gift prospects required, preferably in the field of higher education and/or within the Florida non-profit philanthropic community.
• Commitment to the principles behind higher education and a strong desire to associate with Villanova University and champion its mission expected.
• Understanding of the University culture and ability to work within a multi-layered management system required.
• Ability and willingness to travel required. Excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills required. Must be well organized and detail oriented.
• The incumbent must be comfortable working in a team-oriented environment, as well as a disciplined self-starter who is results-oriented.
• Knowledge of general office equipment, including use of laptop computers, printers required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of two years working with major and/or principle gifts preferred.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

Regular travel to the Philadelphia-area expected. Occasional evening and weekend work and travel required.

Special Message to Applicants

Posting Date: 09/11/2026 Closing Date (11:59pm ET): Salary Posting Information: This position falls within salaried grade 18 and the range is $118,400-131,500. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity. Salary Grade: 18 Job Classification: exempt

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed 3 Maximum Number of References Needed 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. How did you first hear of this employment opportunity?
   • Indeed.com
   • Higheredjobs.com
   • LinkedIn
   • Glassdoor
   • Chronicle Vitae
   • Academic Keys
   • PA CareerLink/JobGateway
   • Professional Affiliation/Trade Website
   • Diversity Association/Publication Website
   • Advertisement in Academic or Professional Publication
   • Referred by a current employee
   • Referred by a friend, family member, or former employee
   • Heard about it at a conference or career fair
   • Browsing the Villanova website
   • Cabrini University employee
   • Other
2. If your answer to the above question is "Other", please specify the source below. If this question does not apply to you, enter N/A.

   (Open Ended Question)

Documents needed to complete your application

Required Documents

• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
• Resume / Curriculum Vitae

Optional Documents