Senior Director, Major Gifts & Development

University of Delaware; Delaware; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Delaware seeks a Senior Director of Development for Lerner College of Business & Economics to lead major gift fundraising and a frontline team. You will cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $100,000 or more, while coordinating with college leadership and campus partners to advance strategic fundraising initiatives.

The role requires strong leadership, exceptional communication, and a track record of closing six-figure gifts, with a focus on driving collaborative success across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and minimum of seven years of relevant experience (development, sales, customer relations, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts at six-figure levels.
• Experience managing and motivating a frontline fundraising team.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising initiatives and goals.
• Strong organizational, planning, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead development strategy with Dean/Director to set fundraising priorities and goals.
• Manage portfolio of 50–75 major gift prospects capable of $100,000+ gifts.
• Oversee all stages of major gift process from qualification to stewardship.
• Provide compelling communications and engagement to move donors to gift closure.
• Develop solicitation plans and knowledge of college/university programs to solicit gifts within three years.
• Draft proposals and recognition opportunities for named initiatives.
• Lead DAR partner coordination and monthly fundraising meetings.
• Manage a team of direct reports and foster a collaborative DAR culture.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Team leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

University of Delaware seeks a Senior Director of Development for Lerner College of Business & Economics to lead major gift fundraising and a frontline team. You will cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $100,000 or more, while coordinating with college leadership and campus partners to advance strategic fundraising initiatives.

The role requires strong leadership, exceptional communication, and a track record of closing six-figure gifts, with a focus on driving collaborative success across