Executive Director of Development, School of Nursing

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Virginia in Charlottesville seeks an accomplished fund-raising leader to serve as Executive Director of Development for the School of Nursing. You will lead a two-fold mission of fundraising and alumni engagement within UVA Health Development, partnering with the Dean to shape priorities and messaging for the next campaign.

The role drives annual and campaign goals, strengthens volunteer leadership, and builds a high-performing development team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 8+ years of fundraising experience.
• Proven record of reaching fundraising goals in higher education or healthcare.
• Driver’s license.
• Proven ability to draft major gift proposals.
• Excellent project management, organization, and delegation.
• Ability to lead and motivate a development team.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal ($1M+) and major ($100K+) gift prospects.
• Define fundraising priorities with the Dean and develop campaign messaging.
• Manage prospect portfolios and staff fundraising visits/travel.
• Collaborate on board strategy and engage members in fundraising.
• Work with various units to grow support for the School of Nursing.
• Serve on the Dean’s Council and represent the School across UVA Health and External Relations.
• Lead and develop the Nursing Alumni & Development team.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Major gift proposals

Alumni engagement

Oral & written communication

Team leadership

Travel readiness

Strategic partnership building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Lead philanthropy that advances the future of nursing education, research, and practice.

The University of Virginia seeks an accomplished and strategic fundraising leader to serve as Executive Director of Development for the School of Nursing, leading a team with a two-fold mission of fundraising and alumni engagement as part of UVA Health Development.

As the School’s chief development officer, the Executive Director works closely with the Dean to define philanthropic priorities, manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, and partners with a highly engaged Advisory Board dedicated to the School’s success. With a seat on the Dean’s Council and a central role in shaping the School’s goals and messaging for the next University campaign, this is a unique opportunity to align philanthropy with the School’s vision while joining UVA and UVA Health’s strong and reputable advancement community.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President and Chief Development Officer for Health Development, with a dotted-line relationship to the Dean of the School of Nursing, the Executive Director of Development will set and achieve ambitious annual and campaign fundraising goals, strengthen volunteer leadership, and build a high-performing alumni and development team.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is a proven fundraiser and team leader who builds relationships of trust and respect with alumni, faculty, volunteers, donors, and staff, and who can translate a dean’s vision into compelling philanthropic opportunities.

• A personal track record of reaching and exceeding fundraising goals
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate and collaborate with volunteers
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including drafting persuasive and succinct major gift proposals
• The ability to be self-directed while organizing and motivating a development team
• Excellent administrative skills and great attention to detail
• Sound judgment and the ability to analyze and synthesize information from a range of sources
• A strong teamwork orientation and the ability to travel extensively
• A passion for advancing the mission of the School of Nursing and UVA Health

What You’ll Do

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal ($1M+) and major ($100K+) gift prospects, including individuals, foundations, and corporations
• Partner with the Dean to define fundraising priorities and lead the development of the School’s goals and messaging for the next University campaign
• Manage the Dean’s prospect portfolio and staff the Dean’s development visits and travel
• Work with the Dean and Advisory Board Chair on board strategy and recruitment, and engage current and emeritus members in fundraising
• Collaborate with UVA Health Development, Principal Gifts, Planned Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, and partners across Grounds to grow support for the School
• Serve on the Dean’s Council and represent the School of Nursing across UVA Health and External Relations
• Lead, develop, and motivate the two-person School of Nursing Alumni & Development team

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree
• Experience: 8 years of fundraising experience
• Proven record of successful fundraising in a higher education or healthcare setting.
• Driver’s license
• Personal track record of success in reaching and exceeding fundraising goals.
• Previous experience drafting persuasive and succinct major gift proposals.
• Excellent administrative skills, including project management, organization, delegation and prioritization.
• Ability to establish objectives, set performance standards, and organize and motivate a development team to achieve fundraising goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Superior understanding of principles of philanthropy, higher education, relationship management, and staff management.
• Ability to identify and promote efficiencies within an organization.Proven record of partnering with faculty and volunteers to achieve development goals.
• Previous experience in soliciting principal gifts.
• Experience staffing university leadership at the dean’s level and/or above.
• Strong track record of mentoring direct reports and junior colleagues.

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 $150,000 - $160,000, 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.

About UVA and the Community

To learn more about UVA and the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA .

Application Timeline

Application review will begin after November 9, 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 for External Relations, at [e-mail] .
• For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, [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 .