Senior Director of Development

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Development for Strategic Initiatives is a senior fundraising professional within Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) who participates in the strategic direction and execution of major and principal gift fundraising strategies to support the highest priorities of the Owen Graduate School of Management. This role focuses primarily on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects capable of making principal-level gifts.

Working closely with the Associate Dean of Development, the Dean of the Owen Graduate School of Management, and senior leadership, the Senior Director advances strategic initiatives, projects, and existing centers for Entrepreneurship and Financial Markets. The position 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.

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 identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.  DAR’s university development team is responsible for seeking new resources from alumni, parents, friends, and family foundations to support key fundraising priorities.  More information can be found here:  https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

Key Functions and Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

• Develop proactive strategies to identify, qualify, and engage prospects for philanthropic investment.
• Set strategic direction and execution of fundraising initiatives aligned with Owen’s priorities and university-wide objectives.
• 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 Principal Gifts, Annual and Leadership Annual Giving, Corporate Relations, Foundation Relations, Planned Giving, Research and Prospect Development, Stewardship, and Alumni Relations.
• Participate in advisory boards, councils, and committees whose responsibilities include advancing philanthropy in support of strategic priorities.

Major and Principal Gifts

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 55 high-capacity prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more, primarily unaffiliated and unassigned.
• Lead full donor lifecycle activities, from identifying and qualifying prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and gift closure.
• Secure outright gifts, multi-year pledges, planned gifts, and corporate/foundation awards in support of strategic initiatives and priority projects.
• Achieve progressive fundraising growth, with a target range of $3–5 million.
• Participate in strategies for effective utilization of the Dean and senior leaders in advancing the most significant fundraising opportunities.

Program Growth and Institutional Collaboration

• Support fundraising efforts tied to strategic initiatives and projects, including centers, programs, and academic innovation.
• Collaborate with other schools, colleges, and university programs to coordinate engagement strategies for prospects without existing unit affiliation.
• 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.

Professional Conduct

• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in all donor and colleague interactions.
• Demonstrate professionalism, composure, and discretion in complex situations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Work Environment

If working in the Nashville area, this is a hybrid role that is expected to be in the office one day per week or more depending on business needs and scheduled travel.

Supervisory Relationships:

This role will be an individual contributor with no direct reports.

This role reports administratively and functionally to the Associate Dean of Development, Owen.

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent is required.
• MBA or related advanced degree preferred.

Experience and Qualifications

• Eight years of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is required.
• Five or more years of development experience preferred, ideally within a higher education business school environment.
• Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing gifts of $100,000 or more and proven participation in principal-level gifts. 
• Proven success managing the full donor lifecycle, from identifying and qualifying prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and gift closure.
• Proven ability to identify and engage new or previously unassigned prospects.
• Strong strategic thinking and organizational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including proposal and presentation development.
• Ability to distill ideas and articulate the mission and priorities of a major research university.
• High level of discretion in handling confidential information.
• Experience collaborating across teams and disciplines to drive results.
• Familiarity with donor management systems and Microsoft Office tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in an agile, growth-oriented, and fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel overnight regularly and work occasional evenings and weekends.

• 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.