Director of Development - Major Gifts

CASE; Charlottesville (VA); Sur place; USD 108 000 - 132 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Hybrid work policy

Medical benefits

Unlimited paid leave

Employer retirement plan

Résumé du poste

The College Foundation of the University of Virginia seeks a Director of Development, Major Gifts to cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects. You will manage a regional board and work with UVA leaders to increase engagement and philanthropic support.

Based in Charlottesville, you will travel regionally and lead a team of fundraisers, with a focus on gifts from $100k to $1+ million and collaboration across university departments to advance priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• At least four years in fundraising or related fields.
• Proven ability to build relationships with donors and stakeholders.

Responsabilités

• Develop relationships with a portfolio of ~125 major gift donors ($100k+).
• Create personalized gift strategies from $100k to $1+ million.
• Conduct at least 144 visits annually in assigned territories.
• Solicit leadership level unrestricted gifts to the annual fund.
• Prepare proposals and stewardship plans for prospects with colleagues.
• Motivate regional volunteers for cultivation and stewardship calls.
• Manage a regional board to increase engagement and support.
• Maintain knowledge of fundraising priorities for programs.
• Report donor information using College Foundation systems.
• Lead or participate in fundraising projects for overall success.

Connaissances

Fundraising

Relationship management

Client relationships

Communications

Strategic planning

Formation

Bachelor's degree

Outils

CRM software

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Description du poste

Candidate Profile

We are looking for an exceptional relationship-builder who is comfortable engaging with accomplished individuals, developing trusted relationships, and inspiring others to make meaningful commitments. Successful candidates may come from a variety of professional backgrounds, including fundraising, business development, sales, financial services, consulting, client relationship management, or other relationship-driven fields. While prior major gift fundraising experience is valued, we welcome candidates with transferable skills who are interested in applying their experience to philanthropy and higher education.

Position Summary

The College Foundation of the University of Virginia, which exists to support the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at UVA, is conducting a search for a full‑time Director of Development, Major Gifts. The Director of Development, Major Gifts is charged with the cultivation, solicitation and stewarding of major gift prospects and donors of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

The Director of Development, Major Gifts will support the overall development efforts of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. The Incumbent will join a team of experienced fundraisers and will work with the Dean of Arts & Sciences and world‑renowned faculty at one of the nation's top‑ranked public Universities. The position will also manage one of the College Foundation’s Regional Boards – consisting of UVA‑affiliated volunteers and major gift level donors – to develop strategies for increasing engagement and philanthropic support for the College within the region, including signature events, meetings, and networking opportunities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• 
  Develop relationships and actively solicit gifts from a portfolio of approximately 125 current and prospective major gift level donors ($100,000+)
• Manage and create personalized strategies around potential gifts ranging from $100,000 to $1+ million, collaborating with colleagues from other areas of the University where appropriate
• Conduct at least 144 visits annually in assigned territories. Must manage travel expenses in line with an approved travel budget
• Actively seek leadership level unrestricted gifts and pledges to the College’s annual fund
• Prepare proposals, stewardship plans, and other correspondence for prospects, collaborating as necessary with the Dean's office, Donor Relations, faculty/program administrators, College Foundation board members, Associate Vice President of Development, and the President of the College Foundation
• Motivate and support regional volunteers for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship calls through individual relationship management
• Manage a regional board of volunteers with the aim of increasing engagement and support amongst alumni and friends in the region. This includes solicitation of annual fund support, recruiting new members, and facilitating semi-annual meetings
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the College's fundraising priorities, including academic and extra-curricular programs
• Assist in the identification and collection of pledge payments for donors within portfolio and assigned territories
• Report and share prospect and donor information and gift progress using the College Foundation and University systems.
• Lead or participate in fundraising team or College Foundation projects aimed at ensuring the overall success of the organization

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required
• A minimum of four years of experience in fundraising business development, sales, client or relationship management, financial services, consulting, or another relationship-driven field.

Demonstrated success building and sustaining relationships with individuals, clients, donors, or other key stakeholders and inspiring significant commitments, investments, or philanthropic support.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, professionalism, judgment, confidence
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people, especially high-profile donors
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and complex projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities and needs
• Experience using business applications, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, as well as customer relationship management software (CRM).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Major gift or Higher education fundraising experience
  Demonstrated affinity or connection with UVA

Working Conditions:

• This position is based in Charlottesville, VA
• The current College Foundation’s Hybrid Work Policy includes a mix of in-office time and remote flexibility
• The ability to travel is required and typically includes travel via automobile, train, or plane, approximately 5-7 days per month
• Some evening and weekend work is required

Compensation:

• Salary and Bonus opportunity of up to $120,000+ per year.
• Starting salary will be determined based on relevant professional experience and track record
• Eligibility to participate in the College Foundation Bonus Plan
• Employer retirement plan contributions of up to 11% of salary
• Generous and comprehensive medical benefits, with no-cost and low-cost options
• Unlimited paid leave, in accordance with the College Foundation’s Leave Policy