Director of Development - Major Gifts, Delaware Law School

Widener University • Wilmington, DE

482d • Remote

About The Position

Widener University Delaware Law School (DLS) is seeking an enthusiastic and detail-oriented Director of Development for Major Gifts to join the University Advancement team. This pivotal role is essential for advancing the law school's mission and will report to the Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement, with an indirect reporting line to the Dean of DLS. The Director will be responsible for cultivating meaningful relationships with potential and current major gift level donors, specifically those capable of contributing $25,000 or more, to support the strategic goals and mission of the Delaware Law School. The Director will manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors, facilitating all phases of the gift cycle, which includes initiating contact, cultivating potential donors, soliciting gifts, and stewarding major gift donors. Collaboration is key in this role, as the Director will work closely with the Associate Director for Alumni Engagement at DLS, as well as with key volunteers, the Dean, Development staff, and Law School faculty to achieve fundraising goals and enhance the school's philanthropic support among its more than 13,000 graduates. The position will primarily be located on the Wilmington campus, with some responsibilities on the Chester campus to support University-wide programming and special events. A hybrid work arrangement may be available for this position. The Director of Development for Major Gifts will develop and implement comprehensive strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects. This includes becoming familiar with institutional fundraising priorities, understanding the case for support for each, and exploring opportunities for assigned alumni and constituents to impact the Law School through philanthropic support. Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with potential donors, alumni, and other key stakeholders is crucial to support fundraising efforts. The Director will conduct discovery visits with alumni to identify enthusiastic DLS graduates interested in supporting the university as volunteers and/or donors. In addition, the Director will develop a strategic pipeline of major gift solicitations from assigned prospects through personalized proposals, leveraging effective communication skills. They will ensure high-quality stewardship and recognition programs to engage and retain major gift donors in partnership with Widener's Director of Stewardship. The role also involves planning and executing donor cultivation events and activities that advance major gift prospects and impact strategic priorities, in collaboration with the Director of Events, Director of Stewardship, and the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement. Tracking and reporting on major gift activities and progress towards goals using CRM systems and other tools is also a key responsibility. Finally, the Director will craft compelling narratives and impact stories that resonate with potential donors and articulate the vision and needs of the Law School.