YSM Alumni Director of Development

Yale University; New Haven, Northern (CT, KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale Cancer Center in New Haven seeks a Director of Development to manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, partnering with Yale School of Medicine leadership to advance priority initiatives.

The role emphasizes building relationships, delivering strategic plans, and achieving metrics, with expectations to complete 15+ major gift solicitations annually and travel as needed.

Hybrid work model; strong communication, collaboration, and integrity are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and at least four years in fundraising.
• Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts.
• Ability to travel, work weekends and evenings as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of prospects and donors.
• Evaluates gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommends suitable options.
• Travel and engage with university leaders and volunteers to advance donor relations.
• Coordinate written communications and proposals for donor interests.

Skills

Managing priorities

Donor development

Presentations & communication

Teamwork

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Blackbaud CRM

Hopper

Job description

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Development for Alumni Affairs and Giving, the Director of Development will manage their own portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, and devise-- in close collaboration with the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) leadership, Clinical Department leadership, other Directors of Development, the Prospect Management and Research Team, and other School and University colleagues--strategic fundraising plans to secure gifts for high priority YSM fundraising initiatives.

The Director will build a reputation as a reliable internal and external partner and ambassador for YSM by demonstrating a deep understanding of the School and its priorities; possessing an exceptional understanding of fundraising best practices; and achieving and exceeding assigned performance metrics.

The successful candidate will possess a growth mindset, be resilient and adaptable, and support the office’s culture of collaboration, excellence while bringing joy and humor to the workplace.

The Director of Development will: Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more to YSM philanthropic priorities, at times in partnership with various Deputy Deans across the school. Assist in securing alumni contributions at all levels when traveling to select geographic regions. Develop, deliver, and execute actionable plans (to include objectives, strategies, tactics, timelines, and measurable metrics) for securing private philanthropic support that advances YSM initiatives and special projects. Utilize the University’s Blackbaud CRM, Hopper, to document all planned and completed prospect interactions and strategies. Actively manage a YSM prospect pool of approximately 150 major gift prospects, as well as prospects in their reunion cycle, and key volunteers. Complete 15 or more major gift solicitations each year. Support open communications among team members, engage in team-building efforts and participate in meetings and retreats that embrace and support YSM Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. In partnership with the Prospect Management and Research team, Identify, assess, and engage new prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000. Participate in the development of gift proposals, gift agreements, and other donor materials as needed. Represent the School at regional and on-campus events. Encourage volunteers to build bridges and utilize their networks to help YSM and the University develop stronger relationships with other prominent alumni, parents, and friends. Provide support for reunion giving and related activities as needed.

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!

Overview

Reporting to the Director of Development for Alumni Affairs and Giving, the Director of Development will manage their own portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, and devise-- in close collaboration with the Yale School of Medicine (YSM) leadership, Clinical Department leadership, other Directors of Development, the Prospect Management and Research Team, and other School and University colleagues--strategic fundraising plans to secure gifts for high priority YSM fundraising initiatives.

The Director will build a reputation as a reliable internal and external partner and ambassador for YSM by demonstrating a deep understanding of the School and its priorities; possessing an exceptional understanding of fundraising best practices; and achieving and exceeding assigned performance metrics.

The successful candidate will possess a growth mindset, be resilient and adaptable, and support the office’s culture of collaboration, excellence while bringing joy and humor to the workplace.

The Director of Development will: Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more to YSM philanthropic priorities, at times in partnership with various Deputy Deans across the school. Assist in securing alumni contributions at all levels when traveling to select geographic regions. Develop, deliver, and execute actionable plans (to include objectives, strategies, tactics, timelines, and measurable metrics) for securing private philanthropic support that advances YSM initiatives and special projects. Utilize the University’s Blackbaud CRM, Hopper, to document all planned and completed prospect interactions and strategies. Actively manage a YSM prospect pool of approximately 150 major gift prospects, as well as prospects in their reunion cycle, and key volunteers. Complete 15 or more major gift solicitations each year. Support open communications among team members, engage in team-building efforts and participate in meetings and retreats that embrace and support YSM Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. In partnership with the Prospect Management and Research team, Identify, assess, and engage new prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000. Participate in the development of gift proposals, gift agreements, and other donor materials as needed. Represent the School at regional and on-campus events. Encourage volunteers to build bridges and utilize their networks to help YSM and the University develop stronger relationships with other prominent alumni, parents, and friends. Provide support for reunion giving and related activities as needed.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Proven skills in managing competing priorities and complex issues creatively and effectively. This may include long-range strategic fundraising, donor development, and volunteer engagement in tandem with the day-to-day administrative work of frontline fundraising. Ability and willingness to travel, and work weekends and evenings as needed.
2. Ability to develop long-term relationships with high-net-worth prospects, as well as a proven track record of success in personally cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts.
3. Demonstrated ability to motivate and engage through highly effective presentations and communication, including writing. Ability to meet deadlines and function effectively in an environment demanding a high energy level, discretion, flexibility, and superior work.
4. Proven experience working in an academic environment and staffing senior academic leaders in donor and volunteer meetings and events.
5. Value teamwork and collaboration while fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Experience working in college/university/academic medical center setting.
2. Proven track record of informed decision‑making, strategic planning, teamwork, problem‑solving, organization, and innovation.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Develops cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of prospects and donors. Builds and manages network of relationships with prospective donors involving University administrators and faculty. Facilitates and coordinates all communication with these prospects and among the prospect’s campus relationships. Promotes positive relations with these prospects and donors.
2. Evaluates various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommends the most suitable for a particular donor.
3. Interacts with internal contacts such as Deans, Directors, Faculty, Officers, and other Development staff to consult on University needs, to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement with the University and to identify potential donors.
4. Assist with the strategy for and creation of written communications from various University administrators appropriate to a donor’s interests.
5. Typically participates (often in concert with others) in gift solicitations to fund University programs and to enhance the development efforts of the Schools and departments.
6. May travel (possibly extensively) commensurate with Yale’s standard expectations for fundraising activity, contact and travel. May involve international travel depending upon prospect assignments.
7. Performs additional development-related activities/efforts at the request of manager.
8. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and a minimum of four years of experience in fundraising or a related field, preferably in higher education or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience working with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

Job Posting Date

10/07/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Development

Compensation Grade Profile

Development Officer (Ungraded)

Salary Range

0.00 - 0.00

Benefits

A general description of the benefits to be offered with this Managerial & Professional position is available at:

Yale Benefits

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

Hybrid

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks basedon the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties throughtheir hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of background and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.

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