Associate or Senior Associate Director for Development for Architecture

UVA External Relations; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Virginia External Relations is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate Director of Development for Architecture to build philanthropic partnerships that advance the School of Architecture’s initiatives. This role requires strategic planning, cultivating major gifts, and close collaboration with university partners.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement with travel required to cultivate national prospects and manage donor relationships, reporting to the External Relations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Associate level requires 3+ years; Senior level requires 5+ years of fundraising experience.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel nationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan including events, campaigns, and major gift strategies.
• Travel nationally to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the University to coordinate cultivation and solicitation plans for donors and alumni.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Prospect cultivation

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

External Relations at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill the role of Associate OR Senior Associate Director of Development for Architecture. The University of Virginia has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented, and resourceful professionals. Our community comprises a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development.

Position Summary

The work of the University of Virginia School of Architecture reaches far beyond the studio. Faculty and researchers here are studying how neighborhoods can be designed to close gaps in public health, how parks and public spaces can be designed to rebuild the everyday connections that hold a community together, how cities can become more resilient to flooding and heat, and how affordable housing can be delivered faster and smarter to families who have been priced out of their own neighborhoods. This is research that doesn't stay on paper. It turns into buildings people live in, streets people walk, and policies that change how a city works. The School seeks an Associate or Senior Associate Director of Development who is ready to build the philanthropic partnerships that keep this work moving.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan to include special events, communications, annual campaigns, and major gift strategies.
• Travelling nationally to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects.
• Collaborating with other fundraisers in the department and across the University in overall relationship building of alumni, parents, and friends to ensure a coordinated approach for prospects and donors and to develop and implement cultivation and solicitation plans.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• At least three years of relevant experience for the Associate Director level and at least five years of fundraising experience for the Senior Associate Director level.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to travel nationally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exceptional communication skills, a high degree of personal integrity and the ability to keep the big picture in focus while attending to the small details.
• Demonstrated success cultivating high-level relationships.
• Experience using data to evaluate and plan.
• Experience in higher education development with a track record of closing six-figure (Associate) or seven figure (Senior Associate) gifts.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Salary Range

• The anticipated hiring range is $75k - $84k annually for Associate or $85K-$95K for Senior Associate Director, commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

• This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
• This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
• UVA External Relations offers a flexible and hybrid workplace. All team members must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service and work collaboratively with others using a variety of technologies and tools. This hybrid position can be worked remotely, with the expectation of being in Charlottesville, VA, a minimum of four times a year at UVA’s expense.

About UVA And The Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application Timeline

Application review will begin after August 3, 2026.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

• For additional information about the position, please contact April Sibiski, Director for Staff Success, at [e-mail].
• For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, [e-mail].

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.