Managing Senior Director of Development - Laney Graduate School and Academic Units

Emory University • Atlanta, GA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Emory University’s Division of Advancement and Alumni Engagement uses resources, technology, and business practices to support alumni and donor engagement, solicitation, research, and stewardship throughout the university and health systems. Its mission is to foster meaningful, lasting relationships that advance Emory’s mission to serve humanity.

The Managing Senior Director of Development serves the Laney Graduate School and Academic Units team, which supports alumni and donor engagement, research, solicitation, stewardship, endowments, and reporting. The role focuses on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting gifts of $100,000 to $5 million for a major school or unit, while aligning donor interests with institutional priorities. The position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Advancement Graduate Advancement and manages a team of professionals, advancement office operations, and related budgets.

The position requires working in person two days per week and permits regular work from home. The employee must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule according to business needs, reside in Georgia, and accommodate travel to meet donors as needed. Emory may change remote-work status with notice.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least eight years of fundraising experience.
• Staff management experience.
• Ability to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based on business needs.
• Residency in the state of Georgia.
• Ability to accommodate changing priorities and deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as a lead solicitor, closing gifts of $100,000 or more and $1 million or more.
• Prior experience with comprehensive campaigns, alumni engagement, a nonprofit, or a university setting.
• Experience managing budgets and financial reports.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, mass email applications, database and project management software, and CRM systems.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, ability to work with ambiguity and navigate a complex work environment, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience leading teams and working independently and collaboratively to achieve goals, with a commitment to exceptional customer service.
• Master’s-level degree.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and effective presentation skills.
• Professionalism, commitment to confidentiality, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Ability to lead and develop team skills through feedback and coaching, motivate and empower colleagues, and act with institutional awareness, strategic focus, and impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit individuals, corporations, and foundations for gifts of $100,000 to $5 million supporting education, patient care, and research programs.
• Solicit gifts of $100,000 to $5 million in support of the school or unit.
• Manage a portfolio of prospects through active solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship contact with donors and prospective donors.
• Develop strategic plans and set goals for the school or unit.
• Build relationships with prospective donors, alumni, and volunteers to support programs and priorities.
• Build relationships with faculty, administrators, deans, and division and university leadership to align school or unit priorities with donor goals and interests.
• Partner with central advancement offices to qualify, cultivate, and steward potential gift prospects.
• Develop and oversee fundraising materials, including case statements, brochures, solicitation and appreciation letters, gift proposals, donor reports, and campaign status reports.
• Maintain information about selected donors and prospects, including contact reports, in the CRM system.
• Communicate in a donor-centric manner while advancing Emory’s mission.
• Travel to meet donors as needed.
• Manage a team of professionals, which may include alumni engagement, advancement, and support staff.
• Manage the administrative operations and budgets of the school or unit advancement office.
• Meet division metrics for visit preparation, qualification, contact reports, visits, referrals, and accurate CRM coding.
• Represent the department, school or unit, division, or University.
• Perform related responsibilities as required.

What This Job Offers

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