Senior Director of Development, Engineering

Position Summary:

The Senior Director of Development for the School of Engineering is a senior fundraising professional within Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) who focuses on strategic identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift prospects capable of making transformational gifts to support the highest priorities of the School of Engineering. This role manages a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and plays a central role in achieving fundraising goals, with a target fundraising range of $3–5 million annually. 

The Senior Director serves as a liaison and primary fundraising partner for designated engineering-affiliated institutes and centers. The role carries a specific focus on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting support from foundations and corporate entities in support of strategic priorities for the School of Engineering.

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the engagement, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. You can visit our website for more information:  https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

 

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

 Strategic Fundraising Leadership 

• Develop proactive strategies to identify, qualify, and engage prospects for philanthropic investment aligned with Engineering’s priorities and university-wide objectives with a focus on $1M+ gifts. 
• Set strategic direction and execution of fundraising initiatives, with particular emphasis on engaging and growing support from unaffiliated, mission-based foundations, corporate partners and individuals that align with strategic priorities. 
• Partner with the Associate Dean of Development in annual and multi-year fundraising planning and processes. 
• Assist in setting, tracking, and assessing progress toward fundraising goals. 
• Collaborate with cross-functional DAR teams, including Transformational Philanthropy & Strategic Initiatives, Principal Gifts, Annual and Leadership Annual Giving, Corporate Relations, Foundation Relations, Gift Planning, Research and Prospect Development, Stewardship, and Alumni Relations. 
• Participate in advisory councils, and committees whose responsibilities include advancing philanthropy in support of strategic priorities. 
• Learn and articulate the Vanderbilt mission and the significance of Engineering’s role within the larger academic community. 

Liaison and Partnership Development 

• Serve as a liaison and primary fundraising partner for designated engineering-affiliated institutes and centers. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with faculty leadership of these institutes and centers to align fundraising strategies with their priorities and opportunities. 
• Facilitate engagement between prospects, donors, and institute/center leadership to advance collaborative fundraising initiatives. 
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource regarding the missions, accomplishments, and funding needs of assigned institutes and centers for DAR and the University. 

Program Growth and Institutional Collaboration 

• Support fundraising efforts tied to strategic initiatives, projects, centers, programs, and academic innovation. 
• Strengthen the identification pipeline by working closely with the Associate Dean of Development and Research and Prospect Development to surface new high-capacity prospects aligned with institutional priorities. 
• Collaborate with other schools, colleges, and university programs to coordinate engagement strategies for prospects without existing unit affiliation. 
• Develop targeted solicitation strategies for foundation and corporate prospects capable of supporting Engineering’s strategic initiatives. 
• Identify foundation funding opportunities aligned with Engineering research, innovation, and educational priorities. 

Major and Principal Gifts 

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 65–75 high-capacity prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more. 
• Lead full donor lifecycle activities, from identifying and qualifying prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and gift closure. 
• Conduct 15–20 solicitations at the $100,000+ level each fiscal year. 
• Achieve progressive fundraising growth, with a target range of $3–5 million annually. 
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