Senior Director of Development

Department: Costello College of Business

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University is one of the largest business schools in Virginia, and is located near Washington, D.C., in Arlington and Fairfax, and at George Mason’s global campus in Incheon, South Korea. The College’s AACSB-accredited business and accounting curricula prepare undergraduate and graduate students from the U.S. and across the globe for career success in business and government. Its research-based faculty and focus on multi-disciplinary academic programs, inclusive entrepreneurship, modular education, experiential learning, and corporate partner engagement are transforming the landscape of business education and workforce development. Learn more at business.gmu.edu.

The Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations division is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 125 FTE. Functional units within Advancement include development/fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship and donor relations, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services.

Advancement's mission is to build strong, lifelong relationships with George Mason University's alumni and constituents, while matching their philanthropic interests with the university aspirations and priorities. The division is committed to serving the needs of the university, our alumni, and the greater community by providing access to quality education and lifelong learning. Respect, service, integrity, collaboration, diversity, transparency, and creativity are the values that guide our work and culture.

About the Position:

The Senior Director of Development is the College's chief fundraising officer, overseeing all development programs, efforts, and strategies to drive philanthropic support in alignment with College and University goals. As a member of the senior leadership team, the role collaborates with the Dean, Associate Deans, area chairs, advisory boards, faculty, and senior staff to define and execute fundraising priorities. The Senior Director also partners with Central Advancement and College colleagues to advance giving through annual campaigns, alumni engagement, corporate and foundation relations, and major, principal, and planned giving.

The Senior Director of Development reports to the Associate Dean for Outreach and Strategic Engagement at the Business College with a dotted reporting line to Central Advancement. This role emphasizes networking, relationship-building, and a commitment to tracking key metrics. The Senior Director will focus on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects ($25,000+) and principal gift prospects ($1M+) and create and activate a donor pipeline that supports the College and University goals.

Responsibilities:

Maintains Personal Portfolio and Supports Comprehensive Fundraising Program:

• Oversees the College’s full donor portfolio to optimize philanthropic revenue;
• Manages a portfolio of 50-60 major and principal gift prospects and donors, focusing on securing gifts and pledges of $25,000+;
• Engages prospects to drive movement and maximize portfolio potential;
• Coordinates fundraising activities, tracks progress, drafts proposals, and manages cultivation and stewardship efforts;
• Tracks, meets or exceeds all Central Advancement metrics and expectations;
• Contributes to the execution of a comprehensive fundraising program, leveraging Central Advancement resources;
• Develops and implements strategies for major and principal gifts in collaboration with Central Advancement and Alumni Relations;
• Engages faculty, staff, alumni, and volunteers to assist in identifying, cultivating, securing, and stewarding major, principal, and planned gifts;
• Leads direct solicitation efforts and prepares key stakeholders (Dean, Associate Dean, faculty