Senior Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships

Shaw University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Shaw University seeks a Senior Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships to lead fundraising and development oversight for the Office of Institutional Advancement. The role shapes annual solicitation plans, manages major gifts, and collaborates with IA staff and university leaders to align strategic goals and campaigns.

You will supervise the IA team, build donor connections, and drive effective fundraising programs across university constituencies, including schools and departments, to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business management, social work, accounting, or related field is required; master's degree preferred.
• Seven years' experience in higher education with fundraising or marketing focus; budgeting and program evaluation skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and organizational skills; proposal and report writing proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving prospects and foster donor relationships.
• Lead the annual endowment fundraising campaign and stewardship program.
• Provide leadership and supervision for Institutional Advancement staff and university partners.
• Identify, cultivate, and qualify prospects; solicit and close gifts to meet goals.
• Develop reports and strategies with target amounts and dates for active donors and prospects.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Budget management

Proposal writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Management or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Senior Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships

Job Category : General Staff

Requisition Number : SENIO001840

• Posted : August 17, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Description

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Senior Director of Development and Strategic
Partnerships is responsible for fundraising and development oversight in the Office of Institutional Advancement
(IA), University Schools and Departments. The Senior Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships,
develops annual and ongoing solicitation plans, conducts and schedules solicitations of all Shaw constituencies,
provides leadership, planning, direction, and management, for IA, the University Schools and Departments,
including development, implementation and evaluation of strategic direction and overall management of daily
operations. The Senior Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships will work closely with IA staff and
other University leadership and staff to ensure collaboration, support, and alignment of strategic plans, University
goals, and will represent IA in meetings as needed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manage a portfolio of annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving prospects; facilitates active relationships
  with new and assigned donors and prospects - communicating University funding needs to prospects in a
  compelling manner.
• Manage the annual endowment fundraising campaign.
• Initiate and oversee the development of a robust stewardship program for IA and the University annual and
  major gift donors in partnership with the development staff.
• Provide leadership and supervision for Institutional Advancement team members and development staff from
  University Schools and departments.
• Identify, cultivate, and qualify prospects; solicit and close annual and other gifts sufficient to meet or exceed
  individual and team fundraising goals set annually.
• Develop Call Reports, written strategies, including target amounts and dates on all actively managed donors and
  prospects.
• Work closely with Advancement Services to evaluate and prioritize donor prospects and maintain a balanced
  portfolio.
• Work closely with Communications and Marketing Team to prepare weekly and standing reports.
• Supervise development staff, and collaborate, develop, and implement an overall strategic plan for the
  solicitation of annual and major gifts to meet the University's goals.
• Develop an overall strategic plan with the Office of Alumni Relations for a multi-faceted and best practice for a
  successful IA and University alumni engagement program.
• Create and implement methods for improving individual and team productivity, performance, and collaboration.
• Develop and monitor performance metrics and measurements for each individual/team to develop proactive and
  revenue productive solutions.
• Engage in frequent contact with staff, providing clear direction and feedback, including coaching and staff
  development.
• Ensure the Institutional Advancement team provides excellent customer service to donors, staff, faculty, and
  others, and effectively determine, allocate and coordinate internal resources.
• Conduct performance assessments annually; manage and maintain operating budgets for the assigned areas.
• Foster collaboration between advancement staff and other institutional departments, to achieve strategic,
  coordinated communication with all stakeholders in the relationship-building process.
• Receive, assess, and make recommendations for requests from Institutional Advancement and other University
  departments to hold fundraising special events.
• All other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Director of Development, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Director of Alumni Relation, other
Development Officers and volunteers as needed.

Minimum Job Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business management, Social Work, Accounting, or related field is required; master's
  degree preferred.
• A minimum of seven years' experience in higher education, with an established record in fundraising, or
  marketing, supplemented by skill in planning, program evaluation, statistical analysis, and budget
  management; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and organizational skills; demonstrated proficiency in proposal and report writing.
• Legally operate an automobile in the State of North Carolina, valid driver's license.
• Familiarity with the characteristics of a private, religious-affiliated liberal arts university.

Certificates, Licenses or Registrations

None

Other Competencies (skills, abilities, behavior)

Must have a philosophy that is consistent with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of the organization. Vision,
commitment, and experience in achieving goals and pursuing excellence is critical. Strong customer skills. Strong
empathy and people skills. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to work well independently and as a member of a
team. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to conduct major fundraising activities, including
capital/comprehensive campaigns, special event fundraisers, annual giving drives; annual fundraising campaigns
raising between $1 Million - $5Million+. Must be able to read, write and speak fluently in English. Must be able to
navigate a computer, virtual platforms, and possess a keen knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Demands

Typical office environment; infrequent lifting and carrying items up to 10 lbs.; infrequently twisting or bending at the
waist or reaching overhead; infrequently traveling between buildings on campus, to other campuses or off-campus
to attend meetings and conferences; frequently listening to and talking with students, faculty, other staff members,
and alumni either in person or by telephone; frequently sitting at a desk or workstation using a computer display,
keyboard, and mouse.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Management or related field.

Preferred

Masters or better in Management or related field.

Experience

Preferred

A minimum of seven years' experience in higher education, with an established record in fundraising, or marketing, supplemented by skill in planning, program evaluation, statistical analysis, and budget management; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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