Director of Development

Job Description Summary

The Director of Development is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to increase private philanthropic support for the Heart & Vascular Center at MUSC. This role ensures alignment with the philanthropic priorities of the MUSC Enterprise and the MUSC Foundation, playing a key role in advancing the mission of the Heart & Vascular Center, with a primary focus on securing major gifts that support key institutional initiatives.

As a member of the MUSC Foundation team, the Director of Development collaborates closely with faculty, department chairs, chiefs, administrators, and enterprise leadership. This individual is tasked with cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and transformational gifts, while developing donor engagement strategies and fostering long-term philanthropic relationships.

In partnership with internal and external stakeholders, the Director of Development creates fundraising strategies that align the Heart & Vascular Center’s priorities with the broader goals of the MUSC Enterprise and MUSC Foundation. These priorities may evolve and include initiatives such as capital projects, endowed chairs and professorships, student scholarships, programmatic endowments, faculty and student development, outreach initiatives, and unrestricted needs.

Entity

University Medical Associates (UMA) Only Employees and Financials

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Regular

Cost Center

CC005438 UMA OTHR PAY MUSCF - Institutional Advancement

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

Health-32

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

The Director of Development is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to increase private philanthropic support for the Heart & Vascular Center at MUSC. This role ensures alignment with the philanthropic priorities of the MUSC Enterprise and the MUSC Foundation, playing a key role in advancing the mission of the Heart & Vascular Center, with a primary focus on securing major gifts that support key institutional initiatives.

As a member of the MUSC Foundation team, the Director of Development collaborates closely with faculty, department chairs, chiefs, administrators, and enterprise leadership. This individual is tasked with cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and transformational gifts, while developing donor engagement strategies and fostering long-term philanthropic relationships.

In partnership with internal and external stakeholders, the Director of Development creates fundraising strategies that align the Heart & Vascular Center’s priorities with the broader goals of the MUSC Enterprise and MUSC Foundation. These priorities may evolve and include initiatives such as capital projects, endowed chairs and professorships, student scholarships, programmatic endowments, faculty and student development, outreach initiatives, and unrestricted needs.

This position may also oversee and manage support or administrative development staff, providing leadership to ensure the continued growth and success of fundraising initiatives. Performance will be evaluated annually based on the achievement of established goals and objectives.

• Proven success in securing major gifts ($25,000+).
• Strong knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor cultivation techniques.
• Ability to engage effectively with high-level donors, institutional leaders, and key stakeholders.
• Experience recruiting and managing volunteer boards or advisory committees.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong team collaboration and leadership capabilities.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential information.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Advanced computer skills; ability to create compelling proposals and presentations.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases (Raiser’s Edge preferred).
• Willingness and ability to travel and work evenings/weekends as needed.

Responsibilities:

Fundraising (40%): Lead the solicitation of major and capital gifts ($25,000+), ensuring strategic donor engagement through personalized cultivation, formal presentations, and proposal development. Drive efforts to meet established goals (e.g., dollars raised, solicitations made, solicitations funded, visits, contacts, and prospects qualified), with an annual expectation to raise philanthropic support, while aligning priorities with institutional needs and donor interests.

Donor Stewardship (15%): Ensure long-term donor retention and satisfaction by implementing strategic stewardship efforts. In collaboration with the Donor Relations Team, manage impact reporting, fund updates, and recognition programs to reinforce philanthropic commitment. Develop and oversee exclusive engagement activities such as personalized outreach, stewardship events, site visits, and donor leadership touchpoints. Collaborate with internal partners to ensure stewardship strategies are donor-centric, demonstrating the direct impact of philanthropy and fostering deeper institutional connections.

Stakeholder & Program Engagement (15%): Lead structured engagement programs to strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, grateful patients, and advisory boards in support of long-term philanthropic goals. Assist in the management of advisory boards and coordinate donor engagement programs outside of direct fundraising efforts. Develop and implement strategies to enhance institutional partnerships and donor involvement through specialized events, volunteer leadership, and collaborative initiatives with department chairs and institutional leaders.

 Strategic Collaboration (15%): Partner with key internal stakeholders, including Donor Experience, Planned Giving, Advancement Services, and Corporate/Foundation Relations, to drive coordinated fundraising efforts for the benefit of MUSC. Work closely with academic chairs, faculty, and clinical staff to educate and engage them in the philanthropic process. With Development leadership, facilitate training and partnership opportunities to identify prospects, cultivate relationships, and support the acquisition of annual, planned, major, and corporate/foundation gifts. Assist in proposal development and solicitation strategies to ensure alignment with fundraising goals.

Communication Oversight (10%): Develop and execute targeted communication strategies in collaboration with the Dean, Clinical Leadership, Department chairs, Division leads and the MUSC Foundation’s team to enhance engagement across all constituent groups. Oversee the creation of fundraising materials, ensuring alignment with institutional branding and philanthropic objectives. Manage written and electronic communications to alumni, donors, prospects, faculty, students, and volunteer leadership with the goal of increasing visibility, driving philanthropic support, and reinforcing institutional priorities.

Other Duties as Assigned (5%): Working with leadership to fulfill tasks ensuring alignment with fundraising strategies and professional growth through mentorship, performance management, and operational guidance.

Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor's degree or equivalent and 3 - 5 years of related professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and more than five years of professional experience in fundraising or a closely related field, with a preference for experience in higher education, healthcare, or nonprofit settings involving direct donor or client engagement.

Additional Job Description

Education: Bachelors Degree or equivalent Work Experience: 6-8 years

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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