Director, Development

National University

2d • Remote

About The Position

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Advancement & Community Relations, the Director, Development manages and implements National University’s fundraising programs, including the annual fund, major gift development, donor pipeline management, and day-to-day development operations. The Director serves as the bridge between Advancement leadership and development staff, ensuring fundraising strategies are translated into action through effective donor pipeline management, donor engagement, and operational coordination. They oversee the Development Database Specialist and associated development staff to ensure consistent execution, performance tracking, and donor stewardship. The Director also manages a personal portfolio of major gift prospects while supervising the systems, processes, and staff that support a healthy donor pipeline and effective fundraising activity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit leadership, business, communications, or related field required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in fundraising, advancement, or strategic development, required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of leading major or principal gift functions required.
• Experience designing and implementing fundraising strategies, multi-year development plans, or campaign initiatives required.
• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Demonstrated success leading or supervising high-performing fundraising teams.
• Deep expertise in advancement strategy, donor pipeline management, and annual fund campaigns.
• Strong strategic and financial acumen, including revenue forecasting, ROI analysis, opportunity assessment, and long-term planning.
• Advanced communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence and collaborate with senior executives, faculty, donors, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and inspire fundraising staff.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms and fundraising analytics tools (Raiser’s Edge or comparable).
• Ability to translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Demonstrated commitment to institutional values including belonging, innovation, and community impact.
• High level of professional integrity, discretion, judgment, and emotional intelligence.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Leadership experience preferred.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Experience working in a technology-driven enterprise preferred.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy and Program Leadership
• Collaborates with the AVP to develop and implement fundraising programs and strategies that build a strong, sustainable philanthropic pipeline for National University.
• Provides leadership for annual giving, planned giving, and key fundraising campaigns, including multi-channel appeals and targeted initiatives.
• Leads and executes annual giving campaigns and major-gift-focused mini-campaigns aligned with institutional priorities.
• Works with internal partners to align giving opportunities with academic and institutional needs.
• Moves Management and Donor Pipeline Development
• Leads and manages the University’s donor lifecycle process, including prospect assignment, tracking, and movement through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship stages.
• Creates a consistent rhythm of donor strategy meetings, portfolio reviews, and action tracking across the team.
• Provides coaching and guidance to development staff on donor engagement and moves management best practices.
• Ensures accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions in the CRM.
• Development Operations Oversight
• Supervises and collaborates closely with the Development Database Specialist to ensure accurate gift processing, reconciliation, reporting, and CRM data integrity.
• Ensures timely preparation of donor lists, reports, dashboards, and analysis required for appeals, campaigns, events, and stewardship.
• Monitors fundraising metrics, pipeline health, and performance benchmarks for frontline fundraisers.
• Works with the Database Specialist to maintain a coordinated CRM environment supporting all fundraising activities.
• Stewardship and Donor Communications
• Oversees the development of stewardship plans for annual fund donors, leadership donors, and major donors.
• Reviews and supports the creation of donor impact reports, acknowledgment letters, event communications, and stewardship updates.
• Collaborates with Advancement and NU Foundation colleagues on donor-related content, newsletters, and recognition.
• Collaboration with AVP and Institutional Partners
• Translates the AVP’s advancement priorities into actionable fundraising plans and coordinated internal workflows.
• Provides regular updates to the AVP regarding fundraising progress, opportunities, challenges, and resource needs.
• Works with academic leaders, enrollment partners, and community relations staff to align fundraising efforts with broader institutional goals.
• Participates in planning donor events, outreach activities, and strategic engagement opportunities.
• Team Leadership and Supervision
• Supervises and mentors a team of development staff including the Development Database Specialist, and private grants contractor.
• Conducts performance reviews, establishes clear goals, and supports professional development.
• Fosters an accountable, collaborative, and donor-centered team culture.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Base pay is one component of National University’s total rewards package, as we are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family.
• For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit benefits.nu.edu.
• National University prioritizes our employee’s well-being and growth by offering competitive pay and benefits packages, development and advancement opportunities, remote-first work perks, and more.
• We value and reward the hard work of our faculty and staff.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees