Director of Major Gifts, College of Liberal Arts

Towson University•Towson, MD

About The Position

The Director of Major Gifts manages a major-gift portfolio focused on Towson University's College of Liberal Arts (CLA), cultivating and soliciting donors and prospects capable of gifts of $25,000 or more. The role develops individualized prospect strategies, builds a donor pipeline, maintains engagement across multiple channels, records activity in the University's CRM system, and works toward established fundraising and pipeline goals, including leadership and transformational gifts. The Director partners with the AVP of Development, Senior Director of Major Gifts, Dean, CLA leadership, faculty, department chairs, and University Advancement colleagues to develop and execute the college's advancement workplan. As CLA's primary development resource and content expert, the Director identifies funding opportunities, develops cases for support, prioritizes prospects, and coordinates donor engagement. The position also serves as a regional generalist in the University's major-gift program, managing an assigned geographic region or regions and building relationships with CLA and broader University prospects. Regular regional travel, face-to-face visits, and participation in University and regional events are part of the role. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
At least three years of professional experience in fundraising, development, sales, relationship management, or a related field.
Demonstrated success building and managing relationships with individuals capable of significant philanthropic or financial investment.
Experience managing a portfolio of prospects, clients, customers, or donors and developing strategies that lead to measurable outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors or clients.
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to translate organizational priorities into compelling engagement and investment opportunities.
Ability to quickly develop subject-matter expertise and communicate complex academic, institutional, or organizational priorities to varied audiences.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships with senior leaders, volunteers, donors, alumni, and other external constituents.
Ability to work collaboratively across organizational units while exercising independent judgment and initiative.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, relationships, and deadlines simultaneously.
Experience using donor databases or customer relationship management systems to document activity, manage portfolios, and track outcomes.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly, including regional and out-of-state travel, to meet with prospects and donors.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and other technology used to support fundraising and relationship management.
Must be team-oriented, creative, adaptable, and comfortable working in a dynamic, campaign-focused environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience securing major gifts of $25,000 or more.
Experience in higher education fundraising, comprehensive campaign fundraising, or major gift development.
Demonstrated success developing new relationships and identifying previously unknown or minimally engaged prospects.
Experience working with deans, academic leaders, faculty, or other institutional partners to develop fundraising priorities and cases for support.
Experience managing a geographic portfolio or regional fundraising program.
Knowledge of the liberal arts, higher education, or related academic disciplines.
Experience with prospect research, portfolio development, and moves management.
Experience working across institutional units to identify opportunities for cross-disciplinary or University-wide philanthropy.
Demonstrated ability to travel strategically and independently to expand an organization's network of prospects and supporters.
Experience in higher education or nonprofit fundraising.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of College of Liberal Arts donors and prospects with the capacity and inclination to make gifts of $25,000 or more.
Develop and execute individualized prospect strategies for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, gift negotiation, closure, and stewardship.
Build a pipeline of prospective donors through research, referrals, discovery meetings, and strategic engagement with alumni, parents, friends, and other University constituents.
Maintain in-person, virtual, telephone, and electronic engagement and document activity and strategies in the University's CRM system.
Achieve established activity, pipeline, and fundraising goals, with an emphasis on leadership and transformational gifts.
Partner with the AVP of Development, Senior Director of Major Gifts, Dean, and CLA leadership to develop and execute the College of Liberal Arts advancement workplan.
Serve as the primary development resource and content expert for CLA, building knowledge of its academic programs, faculty expertise, student opportunities, institutional priorities, and philanthropic needs.
Collaborate with college leadership, department chairs, faculty, and University Advancement colleagues to identify funding opportunities, develop cases for support, prioritize prospects, and create engagement opportunities.
Coordinate prospect strategy and donor engagement across CLA for an integrated fundraising approach.
Manage an assigned geographic region or regions as a University-wide major gift officer, including identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting CLA and broader University prospects.
Develop relationships and expand Towson University's network of alumni, parents, friends, and prospective supporters in the assigned region.
Travel regularly for regional and face-to-face visits, participate in University and regional events, and identify new engagement and philanthropy opportunities.
Collaborate with other major gift officers and University Advancement colleagues to coordinate regional strategies, share intelligence, and maximize institutional opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned.