Director of Development, GWSB

George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 173,000; Full time

Job summary

George Washington University Advancement seeks a Director of Development for the GW School of Business. The role leads fundraising and serves as primary relationship manager for major gift prospects, cultivating partnerships with alumni, parents, friends and supporters to raise gifts of $50,000 and above, including gifts over $1 million.

The Director oversees a ~120-strong portfolio and coordinates with leadership to advance priorities across student success, faculty excellence, and capital

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of experience or Master's with 4 years of experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with donors, volunteers, faculty and staff.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of ~120 major and principal gift prospects and donors.
• Develop donor strategies and move prospects through identification, qualification, solicitation and stewardship.
• Secure major gifts and planned gifts aligned with institutional priorities.
• Prepare prospect strategy materials for leadership and collaborate with Advancement teams.
• Travel for donor meetings and work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Organization

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree + 6 years

Master's degree + 4 years

Tools

CRM/database tools

Prospect tracking system

Job description

I. JOB OVERVIEW

The George Washington University Advancement Division seeks a Director of Development for the GW School of Business (GWSB). Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, this position serves as a lead fundraiser for the School and plays a key role in advancing the University's mission through the cultivation of philanthropic support. The Director serves as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, developing authentic and enduring partnerships with alumni, parents, friends, and other constituents that lead to transformational philanthropic support for the GW School of Business and the university.

The Director manages a portfolio of approximately 120 major gift prospects and donors, developing and executing strategies for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Through meaningful engagement and donor-centered relationship building, the Director aligns philanthropic interests with institutional priorities and secures gifts of $50,000 and above, including gifts exceeding $1million.

The Director partners with the Assistant Vice President, Dean, faculty, and Advancement colleagues to execute fundraising strategies and advance philanthropic priorities for the School of Business and the university. Working collaboratively across Advancement, the Director helps strengthen donor engagement, expand philanthropic support, and advance strategic initiatives that support student success, faculty excellence, academic programs, research, and capital priorities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage and advance a portfolio of approximately 120 major and principal gift prospects and donors.
• Build and sustain meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, friends, and other key constituents to deepen engagement and inspire philanthropic investment in the School and university.
• Develop and execute individualized donor strategies that move prospects through the donor lifecycle, from identification and qualification through solicitation and stewardship.
• Secure major, principal and planned gifts in support of institutional priorities.
• Conduct approximately 15 prospect visits per month and maintain a high level of meaningful donor engagement activity.
• Partner with leadership to align fundraising efforts with institutional priorities.
• Prepare prospect strategy materials and briefing documents for university leadership.
• Collaborate closely with Advancement partners to identify, qualify, and cultivate high-capacity prospects.
• Support campaign planning and other strategic fundraising initiatives for the School and university.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Participate in Advancement-wide initiatives, committees, and working groups that strengthen fundraising effectiveness and donor engagement.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven record of securing major and principal gifts through effective donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. The Director will serve as a strategic fundraising partner within Advancement and contribute to team-wide overarching goals, initiatives and best practices. This position requires significant local and national travel with the possibility of international travel, along with the flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed. Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning responsibilities that are reasonably related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 6 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree in a relevant area of study plus 4 years of relevant experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to achieve results independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues to advance shared fundraising goals.
• Ability to build strong relationships with donors, volunteers, faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational, project management, and database management skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies and engage volunteer leaders.
• Creative, resourceful, and persistent approach to achieving fundraising objectives.
• Proven success meeting or exceeding fundraising goals, including prospect activity, donor visits, proposals and philanthropic revenue.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly and work occasional evenings and weekends.

Hiring Range

$123,884.24 - $173,365.68

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

• Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
• College/School/Department: University Advancement
• Family: Dev & Alumni Relations
• Sub-Family: Major Gifts
• Stream: Individual Contributor
• Level: Level 4
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Hours Per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm; some evenings and weekends
• Will this job require the employee to work on site?: Yes
• Employee Onsite Status: Hybrid
• Telework: Yes
• Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
• Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
• Internal Applicants Only?: No
• Job Open Date: 09/11/2026

EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.