Major Gifts Associate Director

Vanderbilt; Nashville (TN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College seeks an experienced development professional to become Associate Director of Development. You will lead major gift fundraising, manage a donor portfolio, and collaborate with university and college leaders to advance Peabody’s priorities and programs.

The role emphasizes cultivating donors, developing cases for support, preparing proposals, and coordinating stewardship and events. A hybrid Nashville-based work model is expected.

Qualifications

• Four years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, sales, relationship management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, developing and executing individualized strategies for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with alumni, parents, friends, foundations, and other prospective donors.
• Personally solicit and close major gifts, generally in the range of $25,000 to $250,000, in collaboration with senior leaders as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain an active prospect pipeline, identifying opportunities to move donors toward deeper engagement and philanthropic investment.
• Establish annual fundraising goals and activity plans in partnership with the Senior Director.
• Prepare donor visits and participate in meetings, events, and other engagement opportunities.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Portfolio management

Donor relationships

Solicitation

Strategic planning

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Advancement databases

Job description

Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College seeks an experienced development professional to become Associate Director of Development. You will lead major gift fundraising, manage a donor portfolio, and collaborate with university and college leaders to advance Peabody’s priorities and programs.

The role emphasizes cultivating donors, developing cases for support, preparing proposals, and coordinating stewardship and events. A hybrid Nashville-based work model is expected.