Job Description

Embry-Riddle: A Global Leader in Aviation and Aerospace 

With vibrant campuses in Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ—along with a Worldwide network spanning roughly 120 global locations—Embry-Riddle proudly stands as the world’s largest aviation and aerospace university. Now celebrating our 100th year, we continue to lead innovation in STEM education, serving more than 30,000 students worldwide. Our cutting-edge programs in Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security, and Space prepare the next generation of leaders shaping the future of flight and beyond. 

Opportunity:   

Since its inception, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has remained best in class — the unquestioned global leader in aerospace education, and the definitive source of innovation in aviation and aerospace education and research. The largest, most comprehensive institution of its kind, Embry-Riddle was founded in 1926, 22 years after the Wright brothers’ first demonstration of piloted, powered flight: 12 seconds that changed the world and eventually brought Embry-Riddle into being. Today, with a 100-year legacy of innovation and excellence in education, even greater accomplishments lie ahead — and above!

Embry-Riddle holds multiple Top 10 academic rankings. Our aerospace engineering programs, for example, have routinely been judged to be the nation’s best. With a long history of serving those who serve, Embry-Riddle is annually named “Best for Veterans.” In addition, the university’s online bachelor’s degree programs have ranked first or second in the nation for the past eight years. And, Embry-Riddle’s professional pilot degree programs are the unquestioned gold standard for aspiring aviators.

As we enter our Centennial Campaign, there has never been a more exciting time to make your mark on our university’s history. We seek a dynamic fundraiser to join the Office of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement in the role of Director of Philanthropy in the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences.

The Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences is a vibrant hub of STEM focused applied and theoretical research. It offers the nation’s only undergraduate degree of its kind in aerospace physiology and is home to the largest university- based research telescope in Florida. The College of Arts and Sciences continues to grow and provide an outstanding learning environment for our students. Help us spread the word!

Reporting to the Senior Executive Director of Philanthropy, College of Engineering, and working directly with the incoming dean and faculty of the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences, the Director of Philanthropy works to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward lead annual and major gifts from alumni and community partners. They provide leadership and coordination to the campus in approaching donors for lead annual and major gifts. They will develop and implement fundraising strategies, prepare compelling oral and written proposals, build and maintain effective relationships with booster supporters.

This is not just a job – it is an opportunity to be a catalyst for change, a champion of innovation, and a guardian of our legacy. If you are ready to make waves, break barriers, and leave an indelible mark on the future of aerospace education, we want you on our team.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead Annual and Major Gifts. The Director will be assigned a portfolio of approximately 75-125 prospects. In this role, they shall conduct discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship calls within this portfolio. They will engage current and prospective donors through print or electronic correspondence, calls, encounters at events, and, most importantly, individual, face-to-face visits. Travel and attendance on evenings and weekends should be anticipated. The Director’s primary objective is to secure gifts for the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences, though additional opportunities may be pursued as well, in order to optimize overall giving to the University.

• Develop written strategies and tactics for each prospect, implement them, and collaborate with colleagues in the division to achieve donor engagement and stewardship goals.

• Unit liaison. Engage with and coordinate philanthropy activities within the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences. Participate in leadership meetings to better understand needs, challenges, and opportunities. Help coordinate central advancement efforts in the areas of annual giving, major gifts, advancement communications, data acquisition, planned giving programing, donor relations and donor impact rep