Our Mission
We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment
where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.
Now, our Major Gifts team is looking for a Senior Director for the West Coast & Midwest regions who will leads a team of fundraisers charged with securing commitments of $100K+ for the University’s strategic priorities.
Major Gifts at Boston University
The Major Gifts (MG) team is a regionally based team that covers six regions domestically and is not affiliated with any particular school or college. The MG team focuses on the discovery, qualification, solicitation, and close of major gifts ($100K+).
Senior Director, West Coast & Midwest Regions
Reporting to the Asst. VP of Major Gifts, the Senior Director is a key leader in a region that is critical to Boston University’s overall fundraising success. In addition to leading a team of fundraisers, the Senior Director also must collaborate with and convene other Development & Alumni Relations stakeholders in the region to ensure a coordinated and thoughtful approach to all activities meant to engage BU’s leading prospects and donors. These stakeholders include but are not limited to Principal Giving, Alumni Relations, and School/ College-affiliated colleagues.
The Senior Director will be responsible for developing a regular cadence of strategic opportunities focused on engaging existing and prospective major donors with the end goal of qualifying, soliciting, and closing major gifts. This role will serve as the primary strategist and staff person for the Southern and Northern California Regional Leadership Councils. The Senior Director will also be responsible for setting appropriately ambitious goals for prospect discovery, solicitations, and gift closures for members of their team and managing each to success against those goals.
Additionally, the Senior Director carries a portfolio of approximately 80 major gift prospects of their own. This position will oversee various special projects in the region as assigned by the Assistant Vice President.
Responsibilities:
Direct solicitation of major gifts at the $100,000 plus level, involving all phases of engagement and cultivation processes, involving significant travel. Targeted goal of 12-15 visits a month and annual dollar goal as determined by Assistant Vice President. Direct management of team member(s) to ensure significant fundraising productivity in service to the University’s strategic goals. Establish and maintain Regional Leadership Council and other effective, high-level volunteer structures designed to provide counsel, to identify prospects, and to assist with specific solicitations and other programmatic initiatives as necessary. Collaborate with Development & Alumni Relations colleagues to devise specific strategies and timetables for the successful solicitation of individuals with a goal of maximizing their philanthropy to Boston University. Remain informed on University and school content generally, and in greater detail where necessary for prospect cases. Integrate Alumni Relations activities as an essential component of the overall development strategy. Coordinate and orchestrate prospect strategies with the appropriate deans and school- affiliated development officers and work in tandem to assure the highest and best use of time, budget, and personnel. Establish long-range goals and objectives for development programs and activities in the assigned region that reflect University priorities. Prepare regional operating plan and prospect pipeline designed to facilitate achievement of these goals and objectives as a component of the University-wide major gifts plan.