Executive Director of Development, RNI

West Virginia University Foundation•Morgantown, WV

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Development (EDOD) is the Chief Development Officer for the West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) and a key fundraiser for the WVU Foundation within the WVU Medicine and Health Sciences Office. Reporting to the Vice President of Development for WVU Medicine & Health Sciences, the EDOD leads fundraising efforts and represents the RNI. The role will build and refine an integrated development program that supports the RNI’s mission of developing innovative solutions for people with neurological and psychiatric conditions. The EDOD works in partnership with the RNI Executive Chair, unit leaders, and WVU Medicine leadership. The position leads engagement with high-potential individual, foundation, and corporate prospects and supports funding priorities including Focused Ultrasound research, Memory and Movement Disorders Programs, and Traumatic Brain Injury & Recovery. The role emphasizes major and principal gifts and engagement with grateful patient prospects and people interested in advanced neurological science and treatment. The position is based at WVU’s Health Sciences Campus in Morgantown, West Virginia, in an energetic and innovative matrixed academic medical center environment. It is expected to be in the office; a hybrid option may become available over time in accordance with WVU Foundation policy. Travel, including overnight travel, is required as needed. Duties and responsibilities may change, and reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
At least five years of progressive experience in development.
History of successful principal and major gift solicitations.
Demonstrated successful leadership, management, operational, and communication skills.
Track record of accomplishment in fundraising and relationship building.
Ability to travel, including overnight, as needed.
Ability to perform the described physical functions, including talking and hearing; sitting and using hands and fingers; standing, walking, reaching, and potentially climbing or balancing, stooping, or kneeling; close vision is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Seasoned development experience and experience with grateful patients.
Experience with neuroscience or medical programs in higher education or academic medical center fundraising.
Experience at a comprehensive university.
Demonstrated track record in major and planned giving, particularly fundraising in an academic healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Lead prospect relationship-building and solicitation of private philanthropic support for the RNI, focusing on major gifts of $50,000 or more and principal gifts of $1 million or more.
Create and manage a portfolio of individual, foundation, and corporate prospects and donors for solicitation on behalf of RNI faculty and leadership.
Work with WVU Foundation partners in annual giving, planned giving, foundation and corporation relations, donor relations, communications, and marketing to support RNI priorities.
Meet annual fundraising metrics and key performance indicators for qualification, solicitation, and philanthropic support received.
Expand the base of support by implementing a grateful patient program, including training faculty and clinical partner cohorts in collaboration with RNI and the WVU Medicine & Health Sciences Office.
Manage and direct RNI participation in a university-wide comprehensive campaign focused on education, discovery, health, service, and experiences.
Build strong working relationships with RNI leadership and faculty, promoting fundraising as a priority.
Identify, enlist, motivate, guide, and support volunteers, including faculty physicians, in achieving philanthropic goals.
Use the WVU Foundation data system to record prospect and donor contacts, planned cultivation and solicitation strategies, and reporting metrics.
Provide comprehensive, timely, and innovative stewardship of donor gifts to strengthen donors’ interest, experience, and commitment to the RNI.
Represent the RNI in a range of venues and activities.