Executive Director of Development, Scholarships & Student Experience
About The Position
Are you a strategic fundraiser who sees possibilities everywhere, embraces opportunity — and knows how to turn it into game-changing impact? Do you lead with clarity, thrive in complexity, and elevate the performance of those around you? Are you passionate about creating opportunities for students? Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Executive Director of Development to lead philanthropic efforts that directly shape student access, affordability, and success on the Bloomington campus. This is a high-impact senior leadership role focused squarely on major gifts and transformative philanthropy. The Executive Director of Development, Scholarships & Student Experience, leads fundraising strategy and results across several key campus units: Office of Enrollment Management, Office of Student Life, Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Hutton Honors College, and the Wells Scholars Program. This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Development at the IU Foundation, with a dotted-line relationship to the Senior Executive Advisor to the Chancellor. You will lead and mentor a high-performing team of major gift officers while managing your own robust portfolio. This is a true major gifts leadership role — laser-focused on philanthropy. Stewardship, alumni engagement, and related activities are supported by central services, allowing you to concentrate on raising transformational support in coordination with IU Foundation teams. This role is ideal for a leader who: Confidently manages and advances a major gift portfolio Leads fundraisers with empathy, accountability, and high standards Thrives in a matrixed environment and builds strong academic partnerships Understands scholarship fundraising and aligns donor passions with institutional priorities Balances competing priorities while maintaining long-term strategic focus Delegates effectively and makes thoughtful, strategic decisions Builds authentic relationships with donors, collegues, staff, and campus leadership Unlocks donor potential by connecting passion with purpose You will navigate complexity with grace, keeping the philanthropic mission at the center of every decision.
Requirements
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust quickly
- Comfort navigating ambiguity and bringing clarity to complex situations
- Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and follow-through
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to work effectively with stakeholders across disciplines and levels
- Experience improving cross-functional processes
- Interest in continuous improvement and practical use of technology
- Adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
- 7+ years of fundraising or related experience within a complex organization
- Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising
- Experience supervising and developing fundraisers strongly preferred
- Ability to work with academic leaders, boards, and senior stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills and CRM proficiency
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining strategic focus
Nice To Haves
- Experience with scholarship or student life fundraising is a plus
- Higher education experience welcomed but not required
Responsibilities
- Providing strategic fundraising leadership by developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies across assigned units
- Leading major gift efforts
- Supporting annual giving and donor relations initiatives
- Identifying and cultivating high-capacity prospects while creating innovative partnerships and collaborative fundraising opportunities
- Managing, mentoring, and developing major gift officers
- Fostering a culture of accountability and excellence
- Modeling the IU Foundation’s values of being mission-driven, collaborative, responsible, and service-oriented
- Building and sustaining meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and university partners
- Aligning fundraising priorities with campus leadership
- Representing the Foundation with professionalism and strategic insight
- Completing 14 major gift solicitations and closing 7 gifts annually
- Achieving an annual fundraising goal exceeding $2 million
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
