Director of Development

Northern Kentucky University; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Kentucky University is seeking a Director of Development to secure major gifts and advance the College of Health and Human Services. You will partner with college leadership to translate academic initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities and guide senior fundraising strategies.

As lead development representative, you will build donor relationships, secure $1M+ annually, and collaborate with Advancement colleagues to meet university-wide priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of fundraising experience.
• Experience in higher education fundraising preferred.
• Ability to secure major gifts and work with leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead development for the College of Health and Human Services.
• Secure major gifts totaling $1M+ annually.
• Build donor relationships and engage prospects.
• Maintain records in university systems and ensure reporting deadlines.

Skills

Fundraising

Major gifts

Donor relations

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Position Title: Director of Development

Position Type: Regular

About the Role

Northern Kentucky University seeks an experienced and dynamic fundraiser to secure major gifts that advance the key priorities of the College of Health and Human Services. Serving as a strategic partner to college leadership, this position will play a pivotal role in driving transformational progress and elevating philanthropic impact and across the college.

Duties and Responsibilities

Serve as the lead development representative for the College of Health and Human Services, partnering with Dean Gannon Tagher and academic leadership to shape strategic fundraising plans and translate academic initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities. Build and steward meaningful relationships with donors and prospects by aligning their philanthropic interests with college priorities, partnering with Advancement colleagues and academic partners to deliver personalized engagement opportunities. Secure philanthropic commitments at the major gift level, achieving an overall fundraising goal of $1M+ annually. Discover new prospects with the capacity and inclination to make a major gift, working closely with Prospect Development on the identification process. Maintain accurate records of prospect and donor interactions and proposal activity using university systems, ensuring compliance with all reporting deadlines. Support the strategic direction of University Advancement, collaborating across the division on special projects and assignments identified by leadership. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and three to five years of fundraising experience. The ideal candidate will have a background in higher education, a demonstrated track record of securing individual philanthropic gifts, and exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development, University Advancement.

Posted Salary

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Why Work at Northern Kentucky University

At NKU, our work revolves around three things: opening doors, helping people finish what they start, and connecting learning to real life. Those pillars—Access, Completion, and Career & Community Engagement—aren’t just strategic-plan wallpaper. They shape how we hire, how we serve students, and how we show up for the region. If you want your work to matter—NKU is a place where you can see your impact every day.

About NKU

Northern Kentucky University is a public, student-centered institution located just minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Our vision is clear: to be nationally recognized as a student-ready, regionally-engaged university that empowers diverse learners for economic and social mobility. We focus on opening doors, supporting students through graduation, and connecting learning to real opportunity in our region. NKU offers the reach of a comprehensive university with the feel of a close, collaborative campus.