Director, Leadership Gifts & Major Donor Strategy

Manhattan University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Manhattan University seeks a strategic Director of Leadership Gifts to lead its Major Gift Officers within the Advancement Department. You will drive a major gift fundraising strategy that aligns annual and capital objectives while integrating planned giving and events.

With 7+ years in fundraising and proven staff leadership, you will cultivate donor relations, expand the donor pipeline, and guide a collaborative team toward revenue growth and strong data-driven results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7+ years of fundraising experience in a complex organization.
• Proven staff leadership and donor stewardship success.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Major Gift Officers to achieve fundraising and donor engagement goals; establish team and individual performance metrics focused on revenue growth, retention, and donor pipeline development.
• Personally manage a focused portfolio of leadership giving prospects and secure philanthropic support from new and existing donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Oversee portfolio management across the Major Gifts team, ensuring strong data integrity, disciplined prospect strategy, and consistent movement of donors through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with the Director, Capital Campaign and Advancement colleagues to execute major gift strategies that support annual, capital, planned, and event giving objectives.
• Provide strategic guidance to Major Gift Officers, identify opportunities for collaboration across fundraising programs, and contribute to Advancement Department planning and management.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture aligned with Manhattan University's values, and strengthen relationships with donors, alumni, University officials, faculty, and staff.

Skills

Major Gift Fundraising

Portfolio Management

Donor Strategy

Data Analysis

Relationship Building

Leadership/Coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Manhattan University seeks a strategic Director of Leadership Gifts to lead its Major Gift Officers within the Advancement Department. You will drive a major gift fundraising strategy that aligns annual and capital objectives while integrating planned giving and events.

With 7+ years in fundraising and proven staff leadership, you will cultivate donor relations, expand the donor pipeline, and guide a collaborative team toward revenue growth and strong data-driven results.