Director of Development, Herron School of Art + Design

My IU; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana University Foundation is seeking a Director of Development for Herron School of Art + Design in Indianapolis. The role leads major gift strategy, builds donor pipelines across arts disciplines, and partners with faculty and the Dean’s Advisory Board to advance philanthropy.

You will deepen relationships with longtime supporters, uncover new giving opportunities, and translate creative work into compelling donor prospects, driving strategic growth for IU’s arts initiatives.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities in a fast-paced advancement environment.
• Experience executing large fundraising campaigns with academic leaders and complex proposals.
• Comfortable in an academic setting with diverse interests and opinions.
• Analytical skills for framing problems and using fundraising data to improve performance.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion among staff and volunteers.
• Strong fundraising knowledge with marketing/communications familiarity and major gift expertise.
• Proven track record of collaboration across advancement disciplines.
• Experience building authentic relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Apply critical thinking to analyze information and data.
• Discretion and privacy maintained in donor interactions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead major and principal gift strategy and donor cultivation efforts.
• Manage the Development Coordinator role and oversee stewardship activities.
• Partner with faculty, academic leaders, and the Dean’s Advisory Board.
• Translate strategy into actionable plans and measurable results.

Skills

Prioritization

Fundraising campaigns

Academic environment

Data analysis

DEI awareness

Fundraising knowledge

Collaboration

Relationship building

Critical thinking

Discretion/privacy

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

CFRE / advanced degree preferred

Five years fundraising experience

Job description

Director of Development, Herron School of Art + Design

• Full-time
• Compensation: USD 90,000 - USD 100,000 - yearly

TheIndiana University Foundation (IUF)advances Indiana University by strengthening the relationships and resources that help IU thrive. As an IUF employee, you’ll be part of a team that supports the shared success of both theIndiana University Foundation and the Indiana University Alumni Association,bringing together philanthropy, alumni engagement, and meaningful connections to advance IU and its communities.

Together, we connect alumni, donors, and friends with opportunities to make a difference for Indiana University. Whether inspiring generosity, building lifelong relationships, or providing the expertise and support that make this work possible, every member of our team contributes to IU’s impact.

At IUF, we value collaboration, innovation, data-informed strategy, and meaningful relationships. We’re committed to an inclusive workplace where people can grow, contribute their unique perspectives, and do purpose-driven work in support of IUtoday and for generations to come.

For more than 120 years, Herron School of Art + Design at Indiana University Indianapolis has helped shape the creative life of Indianapolis and Indiana. Today, Herron is much more than a traditional art school: more than 650 students learn across art, design, music technology, music therapy, art therapy and other disciplines, supported by 70+ studio spaces and more than 10,000 square feet of exhibition space. Students and faculty take that creativity beyond the classroom, collaborating with businesses, nonprofits, health-care organizations, schools, museums and community partners throughout Indianapolis. Herron is looking for a Director of Development who can help tell that broader story and invite donors to become part of what comes next. This is a rare opportunity to inherit meaningful relationships while also building the next chapter of philanthropy at one of Indiana’s most distinctive creative institutions.

This role is for a fundraiser who sees possibility. You’ll have the opportunity to deepen relationships with longtime Herron supporters, discover untapped potential within the existing donor portfolio, and build new pipelines of supporters whose interests connect with the full breadth of Herron today—from studio art and design to music technology, music therapy and interdisciplinary, community-engaged work. You’ll lead major and principal gift strategy, manage the Development Coordinator role, shape donor cultivation and stewardship, partner with faculty and academic leaders, and work closely with the Dean’s Advisory Board while bringing fresh thinking to how Herron engages its philanthropic community.

The person who thrives here will be equal parts relationship builder, strategist and builder of what’s next. You’ll enter at an important moment for Herron, one that calls for someone comfortable navigating change and ambiguity while providing consistency, earning trust and keeping an eye on the bigger opportunity ahead. You don’t need to be an artist, but you should be genuinely curious about the creative work happening at Herron and energized by learning enough to translate that work into compelling opportunities for donors. You’ll have room to assess what exists, ask new questions, experiment thoughtfully and build, all while partnering with leaders who want a development expert capable of setting strategy and turning it into results. If you’re excited by the idea of honoring relationships built over decades without being bound by the way things have always been done, this is an opportunity to help expand who sees themselves in Herron’s story, grow philanthropic investment and create opportunities that will shape the next generation of artists, designers, musicians and creative thinkers. Apply today.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to handle multiple demands and/or manage complex and competing priorities;
• Experience related to executing large fundraising campaigns including working with academic leaders and preparing transformative and complex gift proposals;
• Possess an ability to work comfortably within an academic environment that holds many competing interests, priorities, and opinions;
• Proven analytical skills – proficiency at framing and solving complex problems, proficiency in using large databases (e.g., standard fundraising data) to setting goals and identifying opportunities for improvement particularly as it relates to gift officer performance;
• An understanding of the importance of and demonstrated success in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion among staff and volunteers;
• Excellent knowledge of fundraising with a general knowledge of marketing, and communications, as well as demonstrated skills in major and planned gift solicitation and experience with major gift prospect management systems;
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering collaboration across advancement disciplines;
• Success in developing authentic relationships with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders;
• Apply critical thinking to analyze and interpret information and/or data;
• Use discretion and maintain privacy, confidentiality, or anonymity;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite;
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills (able to tailor communications to multiple audiences such as the Dean, major donors, advisory board, and university leadership). Precision, timeliness, clarity, and accuracy in written communication are vital.

Education & Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree is required; CFRE and/or an advanced degree is highly preferred.
• Five years’ experience in fundraising or relevant experience in complex organization including proven success in major gift development work. Two years’ progressive management experience required.
• Combination of related education and experience will be considered.

Applications are welcomed through October 28. A cover letter is recommended, and we’d especially love to hear what draws you to this opportunity. Whether it’s a personal connection to the arts, a belief in the power of creativity and design, or simply why advancing Herron’s mission and impact is meaningful to you, we want to hear what drives your interest.

The IUF is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and professional work environment that is free of Discrimination and Harassment. The IUF will not tolerate any form of Discrimination or Harassment based on the Individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by law.

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