Senior Director of Development

The Senior Director of Development for the School of Medicine Basic Sciences will serve as the primary development leader responsible for creating, implementing, and executing a robust, comprehensive fundraising strategy for the School. This position will play a critical role in advancing the mission of Basic Sciences by working in close collaboration with the School’s leadership, faculty leaders across campus, and key centers of excellence—including the Vanderbilt Brain Institute, the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, and the Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, among others. #VUrecruitIND

The Senior Director will also serve as the primary fundraiser for neuroscience initiatives across Vanderbilt University. This includes synthesizing complex faculty ideas into compelling philanthropic opportunities for individual donors, corporations, and foundations. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in major gift fundraising with a strong preference for candidates who possess scientific training or a background in scientific fundraising.

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 Responsibilities and Expected Performance:

The Senior Director must be a seasoned and accomplished fundraising professional who can develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for the School of Medicine Basic Sciences while serving as the lead development officer for neuroscience initiatives across Vanderbilt. They must possess the ability to articulate the significance of basic scientific research within a major research university and its impact on advancing discovery and improving human health. This role requires intellectual curiosity and a collaborative mindset to work effectively with school leadership, faculty, and research centers, translating complex scientific priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities for donors and foundations.

Strategic Leadership and Program Development:

• Design, implement, and lead a comprehensive development strategy for the School of Medicine Basic Sciences that aligns with Vanderbilt University’s overarching fundraising priorities.
• Partner with the Dean of Basic Sciences and senior leadership to identify and prioritize funding needs across research, education, and capital initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison between DAR and neuroscience-focused centers and programs to ensure coordination and amplification of fundraising efforts across campus.

Fundraising and Donor Engagement:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 high-capacity prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Lead all stages of the gift cycle, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift prospects.
• Collaborate with faculty to translate complex research and academic priorities into clear, compelling philanthropic cases for support.
• Develop relationships with individual donors, corporations, and foundations to secure outright gifts, pledges, and planned gifts for strategic priorities in neuroscience and Basic Sciences.

Cross-Campus Collaboration:

• Serve as the central fundraising strategist for neuroscience initiatives across Vanderbilt, fostering collaboration among faculty leaders and centers.
• Align priorities and stitch together faculty-driven concepts into interdisciplinary funding opportunities for donors and foundations.
• Work closely with DAR colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to prospect strategy and engagement.

Leadership:

• Provide guidance and leadership in goal setting, strategy development, and progress tracking for fundraising efforts within Basic Sciences.
• Collaborate with DAR leadership to achieve ambitious annual and campaign fundraising targets.
• Represent Vanderbilt and the School of Medicine Basic Sciences at donor meetings, campus events, and external functions.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Director of Development for the School of Medicine.

Work Environment:

This is a hybrid position based in Nashville, Tennessee. The expectation is for the Senior Director to be on campus at least one day per week or more, depending on business needs.

Education and Certifications:

• A bachelor’s degree (or the equivalent) is required. Advanced scientific training or equivalent experience is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• A minimum of five to seven years of relevant fundraising experience is required.
• Demonstrated success in securing major and principal gifts ($100,000 and above), ideally within a research-intensive or higher education environment.
• Strong preference for candidates with scientific training or experience in scientific fundraising, particularly in biomedical or neuroscience-related disciplines.
• Ability to translate complex scientific concepts into accessible and compelling cases for philanthropic investment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to craft donor proposals and deliver impactful presentations.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across teams and academic disciplines, fostering partnerships and aligning priorities.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently and work occasional evenings and weekends as required.
• Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records.