Director of Leadership Annual Giving

Villanova University•Villanova, PA

56d

About The Position

Ignite Your Career at Villanova University! Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, your work will improve lives and ignite change! Why work at Villanova? Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University's founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others. Villanova has been included among the nation's best colleges and universities. VU's inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 "Best Colleges" rankings is another indication of the University's continued prominence and forward momentum. Villanova's most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more. Villanova University has embarked on a 10-year strategic plan, Rooted. Restless., with the goal of enhancing the Augustinian Catholic living and learning experience for all members of our community. University Advancement is seeking exceptional talent to join our mission-driven team working together toward our shared vision for Villanova, fueled by the generosity of the University's philanthropic supporters as we "keep moving" in the spirit of St. Augustine in the public phase of Villanova's comprehensive capital campaign: Espiritus Nova. The Director of Leadership Annual Giving, reporting to the Executive Director of Annual Giving, is responsible for driving philanthropic growth through both personal fundraising and the leadership of a high-performing team. This individual will be a dynamic and strategic frontline fundraiser with a proven track record of closing major gifts, while also serving as a mentor and manager to a team of development officers. The Director will play a central role in strengthening the leadership annual giving program, ensuring a robust pipeline of current and future major gift donors in alignment with the overall advancement goals. The Director will manage and grow a personal portfolio of leadership and major gift prospects, with a focus on securing commitments at the five- and six-figure level in support of Villanova's mission and strategic priorities. The incumbent will engage donors through the full cycle of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, inspiring them to invest in the public phase of Villanova's comprehensive campaign, Espiritus Nova. The Director of Leadership Annual Giving will lead, mentor, and develop a team of development officers, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven culture that emphasizes accountability, professional growth, and success. The Director is expected to establish clear fundraising goals and performance metrics for the team, providing coaching and guidance to ensure individual and collective achievement. The Director will collaborate with colleagues across Advancement, and partners throughout campus to advance institutional priorities. A successful Director will be independent, self-motivated and metrics-driven, and represent the University with professionalism and passion while articulating the University's mission and impact. Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University's mission and values.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
5-7 years of successful frontline fundraising experience. Professional sales experience may be considered as part of overall fundraising experience.
Successful frontline experience with leadership-level donors required.
Knowledge of annual giving strategies, donor pipeline development and multi-year commitments required.
Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to champion Villanova's mission required.
Understanding of university culture and decision-making required.
Ability and willingness to travel required.
Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
Proven ability to build relationships and collaborate across teams.
Must be results-oriented with strategic planning and goal-setting skills.
Ability to work independently managing a prospect portfolio while contributing to overall team success.
Knowledge of general office equipment, including use of laptop computers, required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Frontline Fundraising: Identifies and manages a portfolio of 100-125 prospects rated $100K+ with a focus on securing multi-year commitments at the five- and six-figure level. Conducts 8-10 prospect visits per month to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward alumni, parents and friends. Builds effective relationships and implements strategies to increase support of unrestricted funds and University and Campaign priorities. Prospects will be located primarily on the East Coast, with a concentration between New York and Washington DC.
Staff Management: The Director provides leadership, direction and mentorship to the Leadership Annual Giving Officer team, comprised of four Development Officers and the Young Alumni Officer. These roles will each manage a portfolio of 150 prospects rated between $25K and less than $100K, with a minimum ask of $2,500 annually (multi-year commitments of $12,500 and above). The Director is responsible for hiring, training and monitoring the performance of each position. Provides coaching and guidance on best practices for donor engagement, solicitation strategies and stewardship.
Annual Giving Campaign Committee: In collaboration with the Executive Director of Annual Giving, will serve as a liaison to the Annual Giving Campaign Committee. Will identify opportunities for this committee to support the identification, cultivation and stewardship of Annual Giving prospects.
Strategy and Collaboration: Partner with colleagues across University Advancement, academic leadership and campus partners to align donor interests with institutional priorities and funding opportunities. Contribute to the development and execution of fundraising strategies that strengthen donor pipelines, increase engagement and grow philanthropic support.
Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance Management (FPM): Effectively use Blackbaud's FPM software to identify and evaluate prospects by leveraging the Targeter query tool, Advancement and Annual Giving viewports, and the six-square segmentation model. Train the Leadership Annual Giving Team on effective use of FPM and serve as the primary point of contact for coordinating additional training for all frontline officers with Blackbaud consultants.
Perform additional duties and assist with special projects and events, such as Homecoming and Reunion weekend activities. Support the Annual Giving Team's efforts around 1842 Day, especially to secure gifts for challenges, matches and sponsorships.