Executive Director of Major Gifts & Development

New Jersey Institute of Technology; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) seeks an accomplished, strategic fundraising professional to serve as Executive Director of Development within University Advancement. The role manages a portfolio of major gifts, cultivates donors, and closes five- and six-figure commitments to support institutional priorities.

The Executive Director develops sophisticated strategies, works with university leaders, volunteers, and colleagues to translate priorities into compelling philanthropic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or other complex nonprofit environment.
• Demonstrated success securing five and six-figure gifts.
• Proven experience managing a substantial portfolio of major gift prospects and donors.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with senior university leaders, donors, volunteers, alumni, and external partners.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project-management skills.
• Experience working with advancement databases and prospect-management systems.
• Willingness and ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends as required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and create individualized strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts, with a focus on five- and six-figure commitments.
• Develop gift strategies aligning donor interests with NJIT priorities.
• Conduct personal visits and donor interactions to deepen relationships.
• Prepare proposals and solicitation materials to secure major gifts.
• Coordinate with University Advancement to move prospects through the fundraising cycle.
• Maintain a disciplined pipeline and progress toward annual goals.
• Document donor activity in Raiser's Edge and monitor portfolio composition.
• Collaborate with faculty leadership and volunteers for engagement strategies.
• Support a culture of philanthropy across NJIT.

Skills

Fundraising

Major gifts

Portfolio management

Donor relations

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job description

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) seeks an accomplished, strategic fundraising professional to serve as Executive Director of Development within University Advancement. The role manages a portfolio of major gifts, cultivates donors, and closes five- and six-figure commitments to support institutional priorities.

The Executive Director develops sophisticated strategies, works with university leaders, volunteers, and colleagues to translate priorities into compelling philanthropic