University Advancement at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking a highly qualified candidate to join the Student and Family Philanthropy team as a Director of Major Gifts supporting Student Affairs. The University of Virginia has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented, and resourceful professionals. Our community comprises a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development.

Reporting to the Managing Director of Student and Family Philanthropy, the Director of Major Gifts will play a key leadership role on a growing, highly integrated, and collaborative advancement team pursuing ambitious fundraising goals. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional to make a valuable contribution in support of the missions of the University and the Division of Student Affairs (the Division).

The successful candidate will be an energetic and charismatic professional with an affinity for the mission and values of the Division and the student experience at the University. They will bring a proven track record as a major gift fundraiser, creative and entrepreneurial approaches to fundraising, and a strong work ethic dedicated to achieving ambitious team goals.

Key Responsibilities

Build and manage a portfolio of current and prospective major-gift level donors ($100K+) and move them towards giving levels that achieve annual and long-range fundraising goals of the University.

Travel nationally to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects for Student Affairs initiatives.

Build working relationships with faculty, staff, and student leaders as necessary.

Collaborate with other representatives in the department and across the University, building relationships with alumni, parents, and community members to ensure an organized approach for prospects and donors, while developing and implementing cultivation and solicitation plans.

Skills and Competencies

Proven track record of managing portfolios containing donors of $100,000+.

Success taking a creative and entrepreneurial approach to identifying and cultivating prospects.

Demonstrated ability to manage and develop fundraising strategies in collaboration with University Leadership.

Ability to meet and exceed achievable and challenging fundraising goals.

Ability to effectively articulate the Division’s and University's educational mission, strategic aims, and programs.

Demonstrated ability to manage and develop fundraising strategies in collaboration with the Managing Director and University Leadership

Ability to engage donors in the Vice President & Chief Student Affairs Officer’s vision for the Division.

Required Qualifications

Education: bachelor's degree

Experience: At least five years of fundraising experience

Preferred Qualifications

Ability to travel and work nights and weekends.

An appreciation for the student experience at the University.

Highest level of integrity.

Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Creative, entrepreneurial, and resourceful.

Ability to juggle multiple priorities; self-directed and motivated.

Strong interpersonal skills with a high level of emotional intelligence.

UVA Advancement offers a flexible and hybrid workplace. All team members must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service and be able to work collaboratively with others using a variety of technologies and tools. This hybrid position can be worked remotely periodically although frequent in-person work in our office building, on UVA Grounds, or at event venues is required. The successful candidate will live within driving distance of Charlottesville, Virginia.

For additional information about the position, please contact April Sibiski, at nbu2ag@virginia.edu.

This is an Exempt level, benefited position. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding and performance. The anticipated Hiring Range: $100,000 - $115,000 and will be commensurate with education and experience. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. 

To Apply:

Please apply through the UVA job board, and search for R0067230. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs'. Complete an application online with the following documents:

CV or Resume

Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, Academic Recruiter at jf2sw@virginia.edu.

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.