Senior Director, Development & Major Gifts

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Newark (DE); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Director of Development at University of Delaware leads major gift fundraising for the Lerner College, identifying and soliciting gifts of $100,000 or more, and oversees a team of frontline fundraisers.

This role partners with college leadership and university partners to build strategies, cultivate donors, and report on fundraising metrics, with responsibility for a portfolio of major prospects and a track record of closing six-figure gifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least seven years of relevant fundraising experience.
• Proven ability to solicit and close six-figure gifts.
• Experience managing and motivating a frontline fundraising team.
• Strong collaboration across departments to advance strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead development strategy and set fundraising priorities for the college.
• Manage a portfolio of 50–75 major and principal gift prospects.
• Oversee all stages of the major gift cycle from qualification to stewardship.
• Provide donors with engaging communications to move gifts to closure.
• Develop solicitation plans and knowledge of college/university programs.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Donor cultivation

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Prospect management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Senior Director of Development at University of Delaware leads major gift fundraising for the Lerner College, identifying and soliciting gifts of $100,000 or more, and oversees a team of frontline fundraisers.

This role partners with college leadership and university partners to build strategies, cultivate donors, and report on fundraising metrics, with responsibility for a portfolio of major prospects and a track record of closing six-figure gifts.