Senior Director of Development, Engineering

Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Winter recess

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University is seeking a senior director of development to lead a comprehensive fundraising program for the Case School of Engineering and the university. You will initiate, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts and partner with leadership to implement a robust strategy aimed at surpassing $33 million annually.

In this role, you will engage donors face-to-face, collaborate with central development staff, and manage a team of development professionals while traveling to

Qualifications

• 10+ years of development or related field experience.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Experience with international travel and international alumni engagement.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts ($500,000 to $1,000,000) for the school; travel to meet prospects and donors.
• Partner with leadership to develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the Case School of Engineering.
• Cultivate and solicit major gift prospects, including global alumni.
• Coordinate with associate deans and departments to plan and implement fundraising efforts.
• Collaborate with faculty and external partners to identify philanthropic opportunities and strategic relationships.
• Recruit, train and manage volunteers and advisory groups; oversee governance of development efforts.
• Supervise a team of development professionals and mentor staff.

Skills

Donor relations

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Negotiation

Team management

Database skills

AI tools familiarity

Public speaking

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM database

Job description

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $89,491 and $113,207, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The senior director of development will initiate, cultivate, develop and maintain a comprehensive development program. The senior director envisions and implements strategies necessary to meet Case School of Engineering and Case Western Reserve University driven goals surpassing $33 million annually. As a member of the senior development team the senior director will provide concepts, leadership, insights, tactics and execution of the engineering school development plan. In addition to and in coordination with the vice dean, the senior director is responsible for the development of overall fundraising plans for the school and the university. Functioning as part of the university-wide development team and working closely with the vice dean, the vice president for school and college development, and the dean, the senior director will be expected to work collegially, and in partnership with school-based colleagues and also must develop a strong relationship with central development personnel, university trustees and the president and provost. This person will engage in direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and participate in planning and implementing school-specific initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts ($500,000 to $1,000,000) for the school in accordance with fundraising priorities established by the dean and vice dean. Travel to meet face-to-face with prospects and donors. Plan and execute gift strategies in conjunction with all central and school based external relations team at the university (30%)
• Partner with the vice dean in developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy for the Case School of Engineering, including campaign planning, principal and major gift strategy, prospect pipeline development, staff and volunteer leadership, and fundraising priorities. (20%)
• Cultivate and solicit major gift prospects, primarily from the engineering school and globally based alumni. (10%)
• Serve as primary development staff contact for associate deans, department chairs, institutes, events, donors and other senior faculty. Work with departments and institutes in the planning and implementation of department and interdepartmental fundraising efforts with specific emphasis on the global market. Serve as development liaison to the office of international affairs and host foreign dignitaries, parents of current students and international institutions. (10%)
• Collaborate with faculty and academic leaders to identify and develop philanthropic opportunities that advance the Case School of Engineering’s academic, research and student priorities. Identify, cultivate and develop strategic relationships with corporations, foundations, alumni, donors and other external partners whose interests align with the school's priorities. Connect external stakeholders with faculty, staff and students to strengthen engagement, advance the school's mission and generate significant philanthropic investment. (15%)
• Recruit, train and manage volunteers of the alumni development cabinet and think tanks and other committees as appropriate, who will actively participate in the rating, cultivating, and soliciting of major gift prospects across the globe. (7.5%)
• Supervise a team of national development gift officers and serve as mentor to external relations team. (7.5%)

Nonessential Functions

Perform other duties assigned by the vice dean and dean, including but not limited to management of other existing and future development, alumni programs. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with dean, vice president, vice/associate deans, department chairs and directors. Contact with faculty, students and staff as required to perform essential functions.

University: Develop and coordinate strategy with a wide range of partners: the president's office, provost, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff.

External: Daily contact with donors, alumni, foundation representatives, community organizers/advocates, corporate executives and federal and foreign government officials. Contact with foreign visitors and officials and academic boards and organizations as required to perform essential functions.

Students: Contact with undergraduate, graduate and professional students as required to perform essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct supervisory responsibility for three directors of national development.

Qualifications

Experience: 10 or more years of experience in development or related field. Experience in the fields of higher education preferred. Experience with international travel and international alumni engagement.

Education: Bachelor's degree is required. Master's degree preferred.

Required Skills

• Oversight and management of discussion and negotiation of agreements between educational institutions.
• Goal oriented with a high level of energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the mission and goals of the Case School of Engineering and Case Western Reserve University.
• Must be able to work with and command the confidence of donors, their financial and legal advisors as well as senior officers of the university.
• Demonstrated front-line fundraising experience at the leadership gift level.
• Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Ability to maintain database of cultural, educational and governmental agencies with international ties.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to demonstrate history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment, some evening and weekend work hours will be required. Frequent travel required.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.