Director, Individual Giving Strategy

Boston University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 188,000 - 263,000; Full time

Job summary

Boston University Advancement is seeking a Managing Director, Individual Giving Strategy to guide strategic oversight and coordination of major and principal gift programs across teams. This role partners with senior leadership to advance philanthropic priorities, optimize portfolio management, and drive fundraising productivity through data-informed decision making.

The successful candidate will lead cross-functional initiatives, build strong partnerships across offices, and mentor a team of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, development strategy, or related field.
• 7+ years supervising, developing, and leading professional staff.
• Experience in higher education advancement, preferably within a complex, decentralized institution.
• Expertise in individual giving, including prospect identification, qualification, portfolio development and management.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor a multi-year operating plan for Individual Giving aligned with strategic goals.
• Coordinate across Principal Gifts, International Advancement, and Major Gifts to strengthen performance.
• Oversee processes for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.
• Establish standardized practices for portfolio management, moves management, and reporting.
• Develop policies and ensure data integrity and compliant fundraising operations.
• Lead cross-functional education and resources to ensure policy and process adoption.
• Provide regular progress updates to Advancement leadership and stakeholders.
• Design streamlined leadership engagement processes and support donor retention.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Team leadership

CRM systems

Analytics & data-informed decision

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

CRM systems

Data visualization & BI tools

Reporting & analytics

Job description

Boston University Advancement is seeking a Managing Director, Individual Giving Strategy to guide strategic oversight and coordination of major and principal gift programs across teams. This role partners with senior leadership to advance philanthropic priorities, optimize portfolio management, and drive fundraising productivity through data-informed decision making.

The successful candidate will lead cross-functional initiatives, build strong partnerships across offices, and mentor a team of