Director of Advancement

University Circle Inc.; Oklahoma; On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

University Circle Alliance in Cleveland, OH seeks a strategic Director of Advancement to lead fundraising effort and secure philanthropic support for the organization’s mission. You will oversee major gifts, grants, donor stewardship, and a growing advancement team while engaging board leadership and external partners to expand impact in Greater Cleveland.

Ideal candidates bring proven fundraising leadership, relationship-building expertise, and a commitment to equity; you will design

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred or relevant experience.
• Track record as a fundraiser, leader, collaborator and strategist.
• Experience building relationships that are meaningful.
• Ability to inspire and mentor staff and foster collaboration.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive development plan.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals and performance metrics.
• Partner with senior leadership on strategic planning.
• Staff liaison to the Philanthropy Committee.
• Build relationships with donors, grantmakers, and partners.
• Oversee foundation, corporate, and government grants.
• Lead individual giving and donor stewardship initiatives.
• Collaborate with advancement team to create stewardship experiences.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Staff mentoring

Communication skills

Diversity inclusion

Board engagement

Grant management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Work

Job Listings

University Circle is one of the largest employment drivers in the state of Ohio. With strong anchor institutions and an abundance of arts & cultural, non-profit, as well as private sector and small businesses, there may be an opportunity waiting for you here in University Circle.

Director of Advancement

University Circle Alliance / Posted October 28, 2026

Department: President’s Office
Reports to: President & CEO
Staff Liaison to: Philanthropy Committee
Status: Full-time (Exempt)
Salary Range: $80,000 - $95,000

UNIVERSITY CIRCLE ALLIANCE
University Circle Alliance (UCA) is the steward, advocate, and convener for one of the nation's most dynamic urban neighborhoods. Home to world-class educational institutions, healthcare systems, arts and cultural organizations, businesses, and neighborhoods, University Circle is where innovation, opportunity, and community converge.

University Circle Alliance works to strengthen the district through place management, public safety partnerships, community engagement, planning, public space activation, economic development, and strategic initiatives that enhance quality of life for residents, workers, students, and visitors. While we manage the place itself, we are responsible for fostering a sense of belonging that extends beyond our formal boundaries. Our values are Collaboration, Community, and Character.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Advancement serves as the chief fundraising officer for University Circle Alliance and a member of the senior leadership team. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, this role is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens philanthropic support for the organization's mission and long-term vision.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and relationship-driven fundraiser who enjoys meeting people, building authentic connections, and confidently asking for support. They believe in the power of great institutions, vibrant public spaces, and strong communities, and can communicate how investment in University Circle creates lasting impact.

The Director of Advancement will manage a portfolio of major donors, lead fundraising strategy and operations, supervise the advancement team, support board engagement in philanthropy, and serve as a visible ambassador for the organization throughout Greater Cleveland.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, broad-based development plan.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals, benchmarks, and performance metrics.
• Serve as a contributing member to the senior leadership team and collaborate on broad institutional strategic planning.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Philanthropy Committee.
• Serve as a visible community spokesperson for UCA and develop relationships with member organizations in University Circle and other external partners.
• Recruit, lead, mentor and develop staff, and promote excellence through well-defined and measurable goals.
• Develop relationships with all current donors and grant officers and build a pipeline of future donors.
• In partnership with the Marketing team, build a communications strategy that keeps donors engaged and meaningfully connected to our work.
• Manage donor stewardship and oversee events that support the growth of philanthropy.

KEY AREAS OF FOCUS

Leadership & Team Development

The Director of Advancement will be a collaborative leader who works across the organization to connect fundraising priorities with the work happening every day at UCA. They will set a clear vision for the advancement team, establish measurable goals, communicate progress regularly, and support staff in their growth and success. As a member of the senior leadership team, they will build strong relationships across departments, contribute to organizational strategy, and help foster a culture where collaboration, accountability, and shared purpose drive results. They will also oversee any philanthropic consulting relationships and external fundraising support.

Strategic Philanthropy Management

The Director of Advancement will build strong relationships with trustees, donors, grantmakers, and community partners to grow philanthropic support for UCA. Working closely with the President, they will strengthen board engagement, lead trustee giving efforts, and develop strategies that inspire deeper investment in the organization's mission. They will oversee foundation, corporate, and government grants, ensuring a proactive approach to identifying opportunities, submitting compelling proposals, and meeting stewardship obligations. They will also lead individual giving efforts, personally manage key donor relationships, and work with the advancement team to create meaningful stewardship experiences that build long-term support and engagement.

Storytelling and Stewardship

The Director of Advancement will help tell the story of University Circle Alliance in ways that deepen engagement and inspire support. Working closely with the marketing team and President's Office, they will lead donor communications, create meaningful opportunities for donors and prospects to experience our work firsthand, and ensure supporters remain connected to our mission and impact. They will help shape fundraising goals for key organizational events, steward important donor relationships, and stay attuned to emerging philanthropic trends and opportunities that can strengthen UCA's fundraising efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Leadership experience in development/philanthropy that relates to UCA.
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred and/or relevant experience.
• Track record as a fundraiser, leader, collaborator and strategist.
• Experience building relationships that are meaningful.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire and mentor staff, delegate tasks, and ensure a collaborative working environment.
• Energetic, hardworking self-starter with an engaging and good-humored personality; brings optimism and flexibility to the work.
• An excellent communicator and listener with excellent writing skills.
• Passion and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Success in high level fundraising.
• Strong professional integrity and grounding in philanthropy with an understanding of legal and ethical implications of fundraising.
• Comfort and proficiency with the use of essential office software, technology and fundraising tools. Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge (BlackBaud) is helpful.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and experience in creatively and effectively bringing about positive change and maintaining high morale.

GENERAL INFORMATION

University Circle Alliance offers a comprehensive compensation package that balances competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, a flexible work schedule, and a strong focus on employee engagement and well-being. Benefits supported by UCA include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off and generous sick leave, and retirement benefits.

UCA is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that thrives on diversity. We acknowledge that this journey is continuous, and we are committed to an ongoing process of inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, we stand against discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Our commitment is to nurture an environment where all employees can flourish and bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the forefront. We believe that people matter in the goals that we aim to accomplish.

A Note from the President:

Job descriptions are meant to bring clarity of what will be expected, so that you know if this is a good fit for you. While the work of philanthropy is highly professional and there are many best practices that are gained through experience, there are also skills that align with the profession. In this case, we are looking for a person that first and foremost believes in our work. This person will be unabashed in their desire to raise support for our efforts. Next, they lean heavily on strategy, developing a plan to approach the work and ways to measure the success. Critically important is that this person deeply enjoys building relationships, carries themself with humility and leads with empathy. Finally, this individual finds that a larger team is part of their preferred fabric, they are inclusive in their style and wants to elevate the work of those around them. That collaborative spirit will benefit them and the entire team. If you believe that you truly possess those qualities, then lets discuss what it may look like for you to join this organization. Maybe you haven’t done everything listed above, but you know you can and you have a passion for this work. That’s where I want to start with the next person to assume this position. I believe that we can approach philanthropy creatively, and maybe from a different starting point than traditional roles, because this is not a traditional organization.

Warmly,

E. Kate Borders
President, UCA