Director of Development, Center for Politics

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible workplace

Job summary

The University of Virginia seeks an accomplished fundraising leader to serve as Director of Development for the Center for Politics. This role drives comprehensive fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and a strong pipeline to support education, civic engagement, and public service.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Director will manage major portfolios, collaborate with Center leadership, and work with the Board of Advisors to advance priorities and growth while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Significant fundraising and donor relations experience.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit sectors preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy across annual, major, principal, and planned giving.
• Manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects.
• Collaborate with Center leadership to identify priorities and develop opportunities for philanthropic investment.
• Engage the Center's Board of Advisors to support fundraising and donor engagement.
• Develop a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support and strengthen donor stewardship.
• Co-supervise and provide clear priorities to an administrative support professional.

Skills

Donor relationships

Strategic fundraising

Communication

Entrepreneurial fundraising

Collaboration

Independence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Shape the future of civic engagement, democracy, and public discourse. The University of Virginia seeks an accomplished and entrepreneurial fundraising professional to serve as Director of Development for the Center for Politics, one of the nation's most recognized and influential nonpartisan institutions dedicated to advancing public understanding of politics, government, and civic engagement.

Founded by Professor Larry J. Sabato, the Center for Politics reaches audiences around the world through conferences, publications, educational programs, public events, and Emmy Award-winning documentaries that foster informed citizenship and strengthen democratic participation. This is a unique opportunity to join a world-class university and help secure the philanthropic support that will sustain and expand the Center's impact.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development and partnering closely with Center leadership, the Director of Development will lead the Center's fundraising efforts, cultivate meaningful donor relationships, and build a strong pipeline of support for the Center's priorities and future growth.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven fundraising leader who combines strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and a proven ability to inspire philanthropic investment.

Successful Candidates Will Demonstrate

• The ability to build trusted relationships with donors, volunteer leaders, colleagues, and institutional partners.
• A practical, collaborative, and entrepreneurial approach to growing philanthropic support and donor engagement.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to translate organizational priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities and donor-centered communications.
• Sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and political and cultural awareness.
• The ability to establish priorities, navigate complexity, and build momentum in an evolving environment.
• A demonstrated capacity to work independently while partnering effectively with leaders, volunteers, and colleagues to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• A passion for connecting donors with opportunities that advance education, civic engagement, and public service.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will:

• Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including annual, major, principal, and planned giving.
• Manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects, engaging donors through all stages of the philanthropic cycle.
• Partner with Center leadership to identify priorities and develop compelling opportunities for philanthropic investment.
• Collaborate with and engage the Center's Board of Advisors to support fundraising and donor relationship-building efforts.
• Develop a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support and strengthen donor stewardship and engagement.
• Co-supervise and provide clear priorities to an administrative support professional.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree
• Experience: at least eight years of relevant professional experience, including significant responsibility for fundraising, donor relations, development operations, or a closely related advancement function.
• Ability to travel strategically and participate in occasional evening and weekend activities when they advance defined fundraising and donor-engagement objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience fundraising in higher education, a nonprofit organization, or another complex, mission-driven institution.
• A proven record of managing donor relationships and prospect portfolios that include individuals capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects.
• Success developing and implementing fundraising strategies that achieve measurable philanthropic outcomes.
• Experience working with volunteer leaders, advisory boards, or similar constituent groups in support of fundraising and donor engagement.
• Experience providing functional direction to staff while balancing leadership responsibilities with active portfolio management.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Salary Range

• The anticipated hiring range is $130,000 - $140,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

• This is an exempt-level, benefited position. Learn more about UVA benefits.
• This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
• UVA External Relations offers a flexible workplace. All team members must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service and be able to work collaboratively with others using a variety of technologies and tools.
• Frequent in-person work in our office building, on UVA Grounds, or at event venues is required. The ideal candidate will live or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of our office building in Charlottesville, Virginia. Exceptional candidates living in nearby areas with a high concentration of alumni (DC/NoVA/Richmond) may be considered.

About UVA And The Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visitUVA LifeandEmbark CVA.

Application Timeline

Application review will beginafterOctober 13, 2026.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

• For additional information about the position, please contact April Sibiski, Director of Staff Success, at [e-mail].
• For questions about the application process, please contact JonFreeman, [e-mail].

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.