Executive Director of Development, WVUCI

West Virginia University Foundation; Morgantown (WV); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Travel opportunities

Job summary

West Virginia University Foundation in Morgantown seeks an Executive Director of Development for the WVU Cancer Institute. As Chief Development Officer, you will lead private philanthropic support, engage high‑potential donors, and align with institute priorities.

You will supervise a small team, collaborate with hospital leadership, travel as needed, and advance a comprehensive philanthropy program through major gifts, annual giving, and planned giving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7–10 years of direct fundraising experience.
• Proven track record closing major gifts, ideally six- or seven-figure.
• Experience leading a staff is preferred.
• Proficient with MS Office and fundraising tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead private philanthropic support for the WVU Cancer Institute, including leadership, major, annual, and planned giving.
• Identify and manage a portfolio of 50 high-potential prospects with travel as needed.
• Participate in development program planning and represent the Cancer Institute.
• Supervise team members and collaborate with hospital leadership to raise private support.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Excel

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Morgantown, WV 26507

Position Type: Full Time

Job Category: Health Sciences Campus/Medicine

Position Overview

The Executive Director of Development is the Chief Development Officer for the WVU Cancer Institute (WVUCI) and a key fundraiser for the WVU Foundation in the Medical and Health Sciences Office of Philanthropy. As the Chief Development Officer, this position exerts strategic leadership in engaging high‑potential prospects and volunteers to support the Cancer Institute’s priority funding objectives. The WVUCI is the region’s most comprehensive cancer treatment, research, and education facility, striving to become an NCI‑Designated Cancer Center.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Medical and Health Sciences Development, the Executive Director will lead a comprehensive, integrated development program and a team of three dedicated professionals, representing the WVU Cancer Institute in various venues and activities. The role partners with the Cancer Institute leadership and other hospital leadership to advance the institute’s mission.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Philanthropic Leadership and Outreach Coordination: Lead and direct private philanthropic support for the WVU Cancer Institute, including leadership, major, annual, and planned giving. Coordinate outreach activities to identify and engage prospective donors through personal contact, electronic and social media, direct mail campaigns, and special events.

• Prospect Management and Personal Engagement: Identify, select, and manage a portfolio of 50 high‑potential prospects, focusing on leadership and major gift prospects with evaluated gift potential identified by the Foundation’s prospect research program. Emphasize face‑to‑face contact, including travel as needed, and meet quantifiable work objectives for each fiscal year.

• Program Development and Representation: Participate in the ongoing creation of the Foundation’s Grateful Patient, Families, and Friends Program, representing the interests of the Cancer Institute.

• Leadership Council Collaboration: Work with the WVUCI Leadership Council to focus on major gift prospect identification, engagement, and fundraising.

• Strategic Partnership and Reporting: Work closely with the Vice President of Medical and Health Sciences Development on prospect strategy, needs coordination, support functions, implementation, and progress reporting.

• Team Leadership and Relationship Building: Directly supervise team members, including two gift officers. Engage Cancer Institute and hospital leadership to raise private support, and develop collegial relationships with physicians, researchers, and staff.

• Fundraising Resource Optimization: Capitalize on all fundraising resources available through the Foundation to advance the Institute’s funding priorities and development program.

• Collaborative Fundraising and Donor Development: Coordinate fundraising activities and prospect management with colleagues throughout Medicine and Health Sciences and the University to develop multiple‑interest donors. Develop engagement and solicitation strategies with leadership and partners to increase productivity.

• Volunteer Engagement and Leadership Support: Identify, enlist, motivate, guide, and encourage volunteers to support the program, especially in major gift cultivation and solicitation. Align with the Leadership Council and lead current and future campaign committees.

• Interdependent Partnerships: Partner with the Office of Philanthropy and the Foundation’s central office in prospect management, communications, donor relations, corporate and foundation relations, annual giving, planned giving, and regional major gifts.

• Cultivate and Implement a Culture of Philanthropy: Foster a culture of philanthropy within the WVU/WVUH landscape by building robust, collaborative relationships with clinicians and leaders. Engage major gift prospects, cultivate long‑term relationships, and demonstrate expertise in closing major gifts and engaging diverse philanthropists.

• Strategy and Growth: Provide leadership in the development program, focusing on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors across research, clinical work, teaching, and more. Execute a comprehensive philanthropy program and lead a team of fundraisers to achieve institute priorities.

• Enhance Fundraising Efforts: Ensure a comprehensive annual giving program that attracts new donors and expands the existing base, with a focus on planned giving and major gifts. Build strong, trusting relationships with senior leadership and the Foundation, inspiring the fundraising staff and leading by example.

• Team Leadership: Serve as a dynamic, values‑based team leader fostering a collaborative environment focused on fundraising success and professional growth. Strategically expand the team, mentor staff, and align efforts with the Institute’s mission and values.

Job Qualifications

• Education/Experience – Bachelor’s degree and 7–10 years of direct fundraising experience, preferably in an academic medical center or comparable environment.

• Proven track record as a successful individual fundraiser, having closed a significant volume of major gifts, ideally at the six‑ and seven‑figure level.

• Experience in leading a staff is preferred.

• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel) and instructional software.

• Ability to work with staff from all services at all levels.

• Ability to analyze issues and identify possible solutions.

• Ability to plan and prioritize own workload.

• Excellent organization and time management.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in client contact.

• Ability to be flexible and prepared to exercise initiative.

Physical Requirements

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee often sits and uses hands and fingers, handles, feels, stands, walks, reaches, climbs, balances, stoops, or kneels. Vision requirements include close vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise two development professionals.

Other Duties

Work Environment: The position is expected to be in‑person primarily, with potential for hybrid work in alignment with the WVUF telecommuting policy. Travel is required at times for this position.

Additional Information

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.