Executive Director, International Development - University Advancement

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

22h

About The Position

Carnegie Mellon University seeks an Executive Director, International Development to provide strategic leadership for the university’s international philanthropic engagement and advance its highest fundraising priorities across key global markets. The role reports to the Associate Vice President for Development and leads international fundraising strategies, market-based philanthropy efforts, and donor engagement initiatives. The Executive Director manages a personal portfolio of approximately 125 high-net-worth donors and prospects with a rated capacity of $250,000 or more, and is expected to travel regularly, including four to six international trips annually. The role collaborates with University Advancement leadership, academic leaders, deans, faculty, volunteers, alumni, and university leadership to develop regional engagement plans, philanthropic priorities, and proposals. It also leads a team of development officers and support staff, overseeing talent management, performance evaluation, and team motivation. The position partners with Alumni and Constituent Engagement to integrate alumni engagement and fundraising strategies, and uses AI-enabled tools, predictive analytics, and emerging technologies to improve prospect identification, portfolio management, donor engagement, travel planning, and fundraising performance. The successful candidate will bring international fundraising expertise, cultural intelligence, strong relationship-building and leadership skills, and a record of measurable philanthropic results. This is a full-time staff role based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with regular domestic and international travel. Applicants must already be legally authorized to work in the United States; Carnegie Mellon will not sponsor an employment visa for this position. A background check, valid state driver’s license, annual license verification, and defensive driving training every three years are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
At least seven years of progressively responsible development experience, including at least five years in higher education fundraising.
Proven international fundraising experience and a record of securing six-figure or greater gifts.
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Valid state driver’s license, annual driver’s license verification, and completion of the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving training program once every three years.
Currently legally authorized to work in the United States; employment visa sponsorship is not available.
Ability to develop and execute fundraising strategies across diverse international markets and cultures, navigating varying philanthropic traditions, business practices, regulatory environments, and relationship-building norms.
Cultural intelligence, adaptability, diplomacy, and a global perspective.
Ability to build and sustain productive relationships with donors, prospects, volunteers, senior university leaders, faculty, alumni, and other stakeholders.
Leadership and management ability, including supervising, mentoring, and developing fundraising professionals and support staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
Experience setting fundraising goals, managing prospect portfolios, tracking performance metrics, and delivering measurable philanthropic results.
Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor lifecycle management, prospect strategy development, and moves management best practices.
Ability to develop and implement strategic plans that align fundraising priorities with institutional objectives.
Exceptional oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to articulate Carnegie Mellon’s mission, vision, strategic priorities, and case for philanthropic support.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Lead discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for a personal portfolio of approximately 125 high-net-worth donors and prospective donors with a rated capacity of $250,000 or more in key international regions.
Travel regularly, including four to six international trips annually, to engage donors, prospects, volunteers, and university partners.
Work with the Associate Vice President for Development, University Advancement leadership, academic leaders, deans, faculty, volunteers, and university leadership to develop and execute comprehensive international fundraising strategies.
Lead implementation of international fundraising and market-based philanthropy strategies, identify emerging opportunities, develop philanthropic priorities and proposals, and create region-specific engagement plans.
Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and drive measurable annual fundraising outcomes.
Lead development officers and support staff, including talent management, performance evaluation, and team motivation.
Partner with the Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Constituent Engagement to integrate alumni engagement with prospect identification, cultivation, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship.
Use AI-enabled tools, predictive analytics, and emerging technologies to enhance prospect identification, portfolio management, donor engagement, travel planning, and fundraising performance.
Perform other duties as assigned.