Director of Development

The William Paterson University of New Jersey; Wayne (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Four-day summer workweek

Tuition support

Job summary

The William Paterson University of New Jersey seeks a Director of Development to lead strategic fundraising, donor engagement, and cross‑functional collaboration with academic leadership. This role advances major gifts and partnerships to support the Cotsakos College of Business and the Honors College.

You will manage a donor portfolio, work with Deans and senior leaders, and drive campaigns while ensuring ethical practices and donor stewardship across units.

Qualifications

• Design and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with academic priorities.
• Cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts ($25K+).
• Translate academic initiatives into donor opportunities and campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead major gift fundraising and revenue growth for the college and honors program.
• Build and manage a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and volunteers.
• Partner with academic leaders to align fundraising with strategic priorities and campaigns.
• Develop proposals, stewardship reports, and donor communications.

Skills

Strategic fundraising

Donor engagement

Relationship management

Leadership

Communications

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Banner

Salesforce

Job description

Thank you for your interest in working at William Paterson University.

William Paterson University is a purpose-driven, proudly diverse community-designated as both a public Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution-committed to creating transformative academic, professional, and personal experiences as a powerhouse of progress. We foster a workplace that values growth, flexibility, and community, and we are recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Forbes' Best Employers by State, 2025 Great College to Work For, and honored with the NJBIZ Empowering Women Award .

Our 1,000 dedicated staff members enjoy competitive benefits, a four-day summer workweek, tuition support, and strong opportunities for internal promotion. Situated on a scenic suburban campus just 20 miles from New York City, WP offers a diverse, inclusive environment where your contributions fuel student success, economic and social mobility, and community engagement. Together, we empower our students through intentional, holistic support within flexible, innovative, and inclusive settings-preparing graduates to thrive professionally and personally, and to lead with a commitment to progress in New Jersey and beyond.

Job Summary

The Director of Development serves as a strategic fundraising leader responsible for advancing philanthropic support for the Cotsakos College of Business and the Honors College. This role partners closely with academic leadership to translate institutional priorities into compelling donor opportunities and drives major gift fundraising through relationship‑building, strategic planning, and cross‑functional collaboration. This role reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

Core Competencies & Skills

Strategic Fundraising & Revenue Generation

• Demonstrates advanced ability to design and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with institutional and academic priorities.
• Proven success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major and principal gifts ($25K+).
• Ability to translate academic initiatives (scholarships, faculty support, innovation, student success) into compelling donor investment opportunities.
• Experience contributing to and advancing comprehensive fundraising campaigns and long‑term revenue goals.

Relationship Management & Donor Engagement

• Exceptional skill in building, managing, and deepening relationships with high‑net‑worth individuals, alumni, corporate leaders, foundations, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to develop trust‑based, long‑term partnerships that result in sustained philanthropic support.
• Demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, volunteers, and advisory boards.
• Strong interpersonal skills with cultural competence and emotional intelligence.

Leadership & Strategic Partnership Development

• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor and primary liaison to academic leadership, including Deans and senior administrators.
• Demonstrated success aligning fundraising initiatives with academic vision and institutional priorities.
• Skilled at influencing and collaborating across departments without direct authority.
• Ability to engage and mobilize volunteers, advisory boards, and leadership prospects in advancement efforts.

Corporate, Foundation & Alumni Engagement

• Knowledge of corporate and foundation relations, including grant development, sponsorships, and partnership cultivation.
• Ability to identify and secure strategic partnerships that enhance institutional visibility and financial support.
• Experience leveraging alumni networks, events, and engagement initiatives to strengthen donor pipelines.

Communication & Proposal Development

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive storytelling and case development.
• Ability to create compelling proposals, presentations, stewardship reports, and donor communications.
• Skilled at tailoring messaging for diverse audiences (individual, corporate, foundation).

Portfolio & Data Management

• Proven ability to manage a portfolio of major gift prospects using data-driven strategies.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems (e.g., Banner, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce) to track activity, manage pipelines, and forecast revenue.
• Strong analytical skills to assess donor capacity, engagement, and strategy effectiveness.

Project Management & Execution

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong planning and execution skills in support of events, campaigns, and donor engagement strategies.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining alignment with broader advancement goals.

Professionalism, Ethics & Stewardship

• Demonstrates integrity, discretion, and adherence to ethical fundraising standards and confidentiality.
• Commitment to best practices in donor stewardship and institutional compliance.
• Exercises sound judgment, initiative, and accountability in managing donor relationships and institutiona