Director of Development

Drexel University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Drexel University is seeking a Director of Development to join the Institutional Advancement team. This role focuses on major gift fundraising across multiple schools and colleges, representing the university and supporting priority initiatives.

The position is hybrid, traveling to campus for events and donor meetings. A minimum of 5 years in fundraising and a track record of $50,000+ gifts are required. Strong communications and administrative skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience, 3 in a development program or high-impact sales.
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $50,000+.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel; evenings/weekends as needed.
• Valid Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Secure major gifts of $50,000+ from individuals through identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Builds and manages a pool of ~150 prospective donors capable of $50,000+ commitments.
• Maintains an active schedule of virtual and in-person meetings (12–15 per month).
• Stewards donors with ongoing communications and events, coordinating with Donor Relations.
• Collaborates with Planned Giving and Legacy Society initiatives.
• Supports development publications and materials in collaboration with IA liaisons.
• Assists leadership in fundraising plans and university priorities.
• Travels regionally to support fundraising and donor engagement.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Administrative skills

Teamwork

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Tools

CS Advance

Job description

Director of Development

Job no: 507034

Work type: Full-Time

Location: Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement

Categories: Drexel University, Institutional Advancement

Job Summary

The Director of Development is a member of the Institutional Advancement (IA) team assigned to develop philanthropic resources from a blended portfolio of prospective donors across multiple schools and colleges. They will represent the Pennoni Honors College, College of Arts and Sciences and Kline School of Law among others. This position will play a central role in major gift fundraising supporting both unit and university-wide priorities.

This Director of Development is part of the Individual Giving team and does not have supervisory responsibilities.

This is a Hybrid position traveling into campus as needed for events, internal meetings, donor meetings, etc.

Essential Functions

• Actively works to secure major gifts of $50,000 or more by pursuing identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of private support from individuals.
• Builds and manages a pool of approximately 150 prospective donors capable of making commitments of a minimum of $50,000.
• Maintains an active schedule of virtual and in person meetings with major gift suspects and prospects, averaging 12-15 meetings per month.
• Stewards donors through ongoing communications, recognition activities, invitations to key events, and interaction with beneficiaries of their support. Coordinate such activities with the central Donor Relations office.
• Collaborates with the Office of Planned Giving, paying special attention to opportunities to secure new planned gifts and steward members of the Drexel University Legacy Society.
• Collaborates with the IA College/School liaison on development publications, and communication materials and vehicles as appropriate.
• Develops and deepens understanding of initiatives and opportunities across the assigned Colleges/Schools.
• Assists the Assistant Vice President and Vice President in the analysis, formation, and implementation of fundraising plans as they pertain to the College/School's development program.
• Promotes University priorities and image to constituents.
• Serves as front-line staff to promote campus goals and objectives.
• Maintains current knowledge of university-wide institutional priorities.
• As appropriate, and in consultation with senior staff, cultivates and solicits prospects on behalf of other campus units.
• Follows Institutional Advancement procedures with regard to prospect management and documenting contacts.
• Responsible for oversight and submission of all relative fundraising reports, statistics, projections and publications.
• Travel to support regional fundraising and donor engagement efforts.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience, 3 of which should demonstrate success in a development program or high-impact sales environment.
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $50,000+ or equivalent sales experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent administrative skills.
• Ability and willingness to work in teams and also individually.
• Ability and willingness to travel to assigned regions.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Valid Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.
• Experience working with senior-level executives.
• Knowledge of prospect management systems.
• Knowledge of database fundraising software CS Advance.

Location

• Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from $82,920 - $124,380 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.