Managing Director of Development, Fulbright College

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The managing director of development is a leader within the Fulbright College advancement team, responsible for driving frontline fundraising performance and managing a team of development officers. Reporting to the senior director of development, this role leads the execution of fundraising strategy by translating institutional and college priorities into measurable outcomes. Working in alignment with priorities established by the senior director of development, the dean, and central advancement leadership, the managing director cultivates a high-performing, collaborative, and impact-driven fundraising environment grounded in accountability, positivity, and shared success. This role balances team leadership with management of a strategic personal portfolio of major gift prospects. Success in this role is measured primarily by team fundraising performance, portfolio productivity, and progress toward annual and campaign goals. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• At least five years of development experience in a higher education setting, including demonstrated major gift success, or equivalent experience in another non-higher education setting
• Experience and demonstrated success securing five- and six-figure philanthropic commitments
• At least three years of experience leading or managing frontline fundraising staff, teams, or complex fundraising initiatives
• Experience managing volunteers and advisory boards
• Experience and successful participation in a major giving campaign
• Effective written, oral communication, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with senior leadership, faculty, staff, donors, and external constituents
• Ability to manage people, priorities, and organizational change effectively
• Ability to implement annual goal-setting processes through both individual and collaborative planning
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree from an accredited university
• Experience with professional travel across the U.S.
• Work experience on a university campus
• Work experience with a college of arts and sciences
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a fundraising or advancement environment
• Proven understanding of strategic fundraising priorities
• Demonstrated experience and success in securing Planned Gifts
• Experience utilizing fundraising analytics, business analysis, and performance metrics to support decision-making and team accountability
• Graduate of the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville
• Experience and proven track record of working with an existing network of current and prospective benefactors to the College and University

Responsibilities

• Driving frontline fundraising performance
• Managing a team of development officers
• Leading the execution of fundraising strategy by translating institutional and college priorities into measurable outcomes
• Cultivating a high-performing, collaborative, and impact-driven fundraising environment grounded in accountability, positivity, and shared success
• Balancing team leadership with management of a strategic personal portfolio of major gift prospects

Benefits

• University contributions to health insurance
• University contributions to dental insurance
• University contributions to life insurance
• University contributions to disability insurance
• Tuition waivers for employees and their families
• 12 official holidays
• Immediate leave accrual
• Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager