Director of Development, Pauley Heart Center

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking a Major Gifts Officer for the Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations team in Richmond, VA. You will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and work with physicians and researchers to craft fundraising strategies.

The role combines travel for donor visits, personal engagement, and collaboration across campus to meet fundraising goals. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement and a salary range of $90,000-$110,000.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Fundraising principles and ethics knowledge.
• Outgoing personality, strong interpersonal skills and collaborative work style.
• Strong written, oral, and data-analysis skills.
• Proficiency with technology and digital tools for engagement.
• 3-5 years professional fundraising or sales experience with six- and seven-figure commitments.
• Ability to navigate a complex organization with diverse constituencies.
• Willingness to travel for donor visits, including overnight trips.
• Willingness to learn and grow within a high-performing fundraising team.
• Commitment to respectful, professional environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 100–125 major gift and leadership annual gift prospects.
• Solicit gifts at the major gifts level (> $50K) through personal appointments, calls and correspondence.
• Partner with clinical physicians and research faculty to identify prospective donors and create fundraising strategies.
• Develop and track metrics for accountability and evaluation.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to meet or exceed fundraising goals.
• Advise faculty on fundraising strategies to secure private funding.
• Conduct a high number of quality engagement interactions via visits, calls, and proposals to increase gifts.
• Maintain donor records and gift histories.

Skills

Fundraising knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Data analysis

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Collaborative/work style

Fundraising experience

Navigating complex organizations

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

CRM systems

Technology proficiency

HIPAA knowledge

Job description

VCU is a public research university unlike any other. We'rededicated to serving the needs of students and patients and ourpassionate community isn't afraid to tackle difficult challengesothers can't, or won't. We’re home to creativity, teaching,discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtownRichmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignitesour innovation and provides unlimited opportunities.

The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropicsupport by engaging stakeholders with the institution, working inpartnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as onedevelopment and alumni relations community and implementing thebest practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensivedevelopment program.

As part of DAR, the Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations(MPAR) team operates within a dynamic and collaborative environmentthat reflects the complexity of our institution. We are a highlymatrixed organization, where success is driven by strategicpartnerships, shared goals, mission-focus and the ability tonavigate multiple reporting lines.

Reporting to the senior director of development, the director ofdevelopment for the Pauley Heart Center will support the prioritiesestablished by School of Medicine Leadership and the seniorassociate vice president for Medical Philanthropy, and workprimarily with patients and families interested in making gifts ingratitude for the care they received at VCU Health and in supportof research, education, and clinical care in health and wellnessdepartments. The position coordinates closely with leadership anddevelopment colleagues at the MCV Foundation, Massey ComprehensiveCancer Center, Monroe Park Campus and VCU Development and AlumniRelations (DAR), and supports fundraising priorities connected tothe VCU and VCU Health’s tripartite mission of research, education,clinical care/physical environment.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 -125 major gift andleadership annual gift prospects;
• Solicit gifts at the major gifts level (at or above $50K)through personal appointments, calls and correspondence in order toobtain and/or increase donor contributions in support of theInstitute;
• Partner with clinical physicians and research faculty toidentify prospective patient donors and to create appropriatefundraising strategies;
• Develop and track metrics for accountability andevaluation;
• Work in collaboration with the Sr. Director of Development, AVPfor Clinical Fundraising and Center-based Philanthropy,SAVP forMedical Philanthropy, VCU’s Office of Development and AlumniRelations and School of Medicine leadership and faculty to meet orexceed fundraising goals;
• Advise faculty and administrators of appropriate fundraisingstrategies in order to assist them in securing privatefunding;
• Successfully conduct a high number of quality engagementinteractions through personal visits requiring travel, telephoneand zoom solicitations, and coordinated personal written proposalsin order to obtain and/or increase major gift contributions;
• Provide assistance to donors regarding tax laws, policies andprocedures and in resolving problems with university administratorsand faculty in order to maintain a positive image of VCU’s Schoolof Medicine;
• Maintain prospect records and contact reports in order tofacilitate repeated donations and establish gift histories;
• Work with prospect development staff to identify prospectivedonors and alumni leaders;
• Provide guidance and assist with stewardship events andcorrespondence in coordination with the School of Medicine, MedicalCollege of Virginia Foundation, and the Medical PhilanthropyStrategic Engagement team
• Work with the Executive Director of Planned Giving for theMedical Campus to market and secure planned gifts on behalf ofCenter priorities

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, ethics and practicesof successful fundraising;
• An outgoing and positive personality, strong interpersonalskills and a collaborative working style;
• Strong written, oral, and data-analysis skills;
• Familiarity with technology, software, and digital tools tocommunicate and engage with others;
• Three - five years professional experience working infundraising or sales environments, working directly with people forengagement and soliciting six and seven-figure financialcommitments;
• Ability to work and navigate within a complex organization anddiverse constituencies;
• Willingness to plan and execute travel for donor visits thatmay include overnight trips;
• Willingness to learn, collaborate, and grow within a highperforming fundraising team;
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment ofrespect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or acommitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Three or more years of professional fundraising experience,preferably in an academic medical center or higher education(Research I) setting or similar complex environments;
• Demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figuregifts;
• Experience with grateful patient fundraising
• Demonstrated ability to execute objectives and goals aligned tothe mission of a complex, urban university and the ability topersuasively represent its goals to multiple constituents;
• Demonstrated knowledge of Health Insurance Portability andAccountability Act (HIPAA)
• Ability to plan and execute travel for donor visits that mayinclude overnight trips
• CFRE certification.

Benefits:

All full-time university staff are eligible forVCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annualand holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planningand savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs,employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunitiesfor career development and advancement, and more.

VCU is also committed to hiring veterans. The University willinclude a veteran’s period(s) of military service in calculationsof the annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with anincreased leave accrual.

Unit: Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations

Department: School of Medicine Philanthropy

Salary Range: $90,000-$110,000

University Job Title: 1524B - Major Gifts Officer DVBase

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid; Flexible workarrangements available; must be able to come to the Richmond, VAoffice 2-3 per week and as needed for events

Eligible for sponsorship (e.g. H-IB visa status, etc.): No

Wireless stipend: Yes