Director of Development, Herron School of Art + Design
About The Position
Herron School of Art + Design at Indiana University Indianapolis is seeking a Director of Development to advance its mission by cultivating and securing philanthropic support. This role offers a unique opportunity to inherit existing donor relationships while building the next chapter of philanthropy for the institution. The Director will be responsible for deepening relationships with long-time supporters, identifying untapped potential within the donor portfolio, and developing new donor pipelines. Key responsibilities include leading major and principal gift strategy, managing the Development Coordinator, shaping donor cultivation and stewardship, partnering with faculty and academic leaders, and collaborating with the Dean’s Advisory Board. The ideal candidate will be a relationship builder, strategist, and forward-thinker, comfortable navigating change and ambiguity while providing consistency and earning trust. A genuine curiosity about the creative work at Herron and the ability to translate this into compelling opportunities for donors are essential. The role requires a development expert capable of setting strategy and achieving results, with a passion for honoring long-standing relationships while also expanding the donor base and creating opportunities for future generations of artists, designers, musicians, and creative thinkers.
Requirements
- Ability to handle multiple demands and/or manage complex and competing priorities.
- Experience related to executing large fundraising campaigns including working with academic leaders and preparing transformative and complex gift proposals.
- Ability to work comfortably within an academic environment that holds many competing interests, priorities, and opinions.
- Proven analytical skills – proficiency at framing and solving complex problems.
- Proficiency in using large databases (e.g., standard fundraising data) to setting goals and identifying opportunities for improvement particularly as it relates to gift officer performance.
- An understanding of the importance of and demonstrated success in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion among staff and volunteers.
- Excellent knowledge of fundraising with a general knowledge of marketing, and communications.
- Demonstrated skills in major and planned gift solicitation and experience with major gift prospect management systems.
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering collaboration across advancement disciplines.
- Success in developing authentic relationships with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders.
- Apply critical thinking to analyze and interpret information and/or data.
- Use discretion and maintain privacy, confidentiality, or anonymity.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office suite.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills (able to tailor communications to multiple audiences such as the Dean, major donors, advisory board, and university leadership).
- Precision, timeliness, clarity, and accuracy in written communication are vital.
- A bachelor’s degree is required.
- Five years’ experience in fundraising or relevant experience in complex organization including proven success in major gift development work.
- Two years’ progressive management experience required.
- Combination of related education and experience will be considered.
Nice To Haves
- CFRE and/or an advanced degree is highly preferred.
Responsibilities
- Deepen relationships with longtime Herron supporters.
- Discover untapped potential within the existing donor portfolio.
- Build new pipelines of supporters whose interests connect with Herron's offerings.
- Lead major and principal gift strategy.
- Manage the Development Coordinator role.
- Shape donor cultivation and stewardship.
- Partner with faculty and academic leaders.
- Work closely with the Dean’s Advisory Board.
- Bring fresh thinking to how Herron engages its philanthropic community.
- Assess existing development strategies, ask new questions, and experiment thoughtfully.
- Expand who sees themselves in Herron’s story.
- Grow philanthropic investment.
- Create opportunities that will shape the next generation of artists, designers, musicians and creative thinkers.
Benefits
- The IUF is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and professional work environment that is free of Discrimination and Harassment.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
