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Assistant Dean of Advancement, CAS

American University
Washington, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 27 Apr 2026
💰 $179,000/yr($100,000/yr$179,000/yr)

About the role

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

Development - Schools & Colleges

Time Type:

Full time


Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union:

Job Description:

Summary:

Working in and reporting to  University Advancement, the Assistant Dean of Advancement for the College of Arts and Sciences is the chief major gift fundraiser for the College of Arts and Sciences at American University, the largest of AU’s six schools. The Assistant Dean of Advancement works on behalf of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, shaping and executing plans for fundraising to meet the financial needs of the Dean’s academic priorities for the College. The Assistant Dean of Advancement works exclusively in the area of major gift fundraising for the College and participates in the Dean’s senior management team in order to understand fully and discuss implications of academic programs for development. The Assistant Dean of Development plans, implements, and oversees the major gift fundraising program  for the College of Arts and Science with emphasis on gifts of $100,000 to $1,000,000+. The American University Art Museum, Center for Israel Studies, and Katzen Arts Center are each units of the College of Arts and Sciences with specific Development focus.

The Assistant Dean of Advancement serves as a key member of the Dean’s management team and as an ambassador of the College of Arts and Sciences. The Assistant Dean assists with the development of publications for the College of Arts and Sciences and other programs and special events by the Dean and Vice President of Advancement. The Assistant Dean supervises the activities of three additional fundraisers (two Directors and one Assistant Directors) and a Development Assistant who work in a collaborative, team atmosphere in support of donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, alumni programming, and special events.  In coordination with the Dean, the Assistant Dean of Advancement and College of Arts and Sciences Advancement’s team recruit and staff members for the College of Arts and Sciences advisory and volunteer councils, including the Arts Council, Science Council, and Center for Israel Studies Council. The Assistant Dean and College Advancement team strive to maximum councils’ effectiveness, working closely with the Dean’s office to establish agendas and programs for meetings and communications.

As a specific component of the Assistant Dean of Advancement’s responsibilities, the Assistant Dean works with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to secure dates and plan for the Dean’s development work, including  constituency events, travel for cultivation and solicitation, correspondence and regular contact with donors. 
 

The Assistant Dean of Advancement operates under the University’s prospect development system with the expectations of achieving the following metrics through demonstration of a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and refined written and oral communication. Management and strategy development of a pool of approximately 150 assigned, rated, and staged prospects generally rated $100,000 - $1,000,000+, although some may be rated higher; meaningful contact or attempted contact of 100% of the assigned portfolio during any six month period; regular maintenance of prospect pipeline (i.e., planned and executed solicitations) to reflect a minimum of 15 major gift solicitations per year. Varying by stage of cultivation, consistent movement of prospects in assigned portfolio in proscribed timeframe. (As an example, it is expected that prospects will only be in qualification and early cultivation mode for 6 months, regular cultivation for 12 months, and pre-solicitation cultivation and co

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Company

American University

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