Senior Director of Development - Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving
Apply NowCompany: Tuskegee University
Location: Tuskegee, AL 36083
Description:
Position Details
To create a Posting, first complete the information on this screen, then click the Next button or select the page in the left hand navigation menu. Proceed through all sections completing all necessary information. To submit the Posting to Human Resources, you must go to the Posting Summary Page by clicking on the Next button until you reach the Posting Summary Page or select Posting Summary Page from the left navigation menu. Once a summary page appears, hover your mouse over the orange Action button for a list of possible approval step options.
Position Information
Position Title
Senior Director of Development - Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving
Status
Full Time
Job Summary
Tuskegee University seeks a strategic and experienced fundraising professional to serve as Senior Director of Development - Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving, a key leadership position within the Division of Development and Alumni Engagement. Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement, this individual is responsible for leading and growing the University's efforts in both Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving, securing philanthropic commitments of $100,000 and higher.
The Senior Director directly leads and manages a team of regional development officers, major gift officers, and planned giving officers. In addition, the Senior Director personally manages a portfolio of approximately 100 high-capacity individual donors and prospects. The role requires a thoughtful and proactive relationship-builder with deep knowledge of high-level fundraising, legacy planning, and donor engagement best practices.
Essential Job Duties
Strategic Leadership
Provide vision and strategic direction for the University's Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving programs, aligning with Tuskegee's institutional priorities and philanthropic goals.
Directly lead, manage, and evaluate the performance of regional development officers, major gift officers, and planned giving officers.
Partner with the Vice President, President, Trustees, Deans, and senior leadership to identify funding opportunities and design tailored strategies for donor engagement.
Serve as a visible and compelling advocate for Tuskegee's mission and fundraising priorities.
Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving Program Oversight
Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major and planned giving prospects, focusing on gifts of a minimum of $100,000 and higher.
Design and implement strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with donor interests and institutional needs.
Expand and manage the University's Planned Giving program, including outreach and solicitation of bequests, charitable trusts, and other deferred giving vehicles.
Guide and mentor assigned gift officers in both Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving portfolios to achieve measurable fundraising outcomes.
Oversee the development of donor-facing materials and planned giving resources that align with institutional goals.
Internal Coordination
Collaborate with deans, academic leaders, and faculty to align development opportunities with funding needs and donor interests.
Partner with the Donor Services and Development Finance team to ensure proper documentation, gift processing, and donor intent compliance.
Coordinate with the Marketing and Communications team to create targeted content and promotional strategies that support fundraising goals.
Reporting and Performance Tracking
Utilize CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge) to track donor engagement, pipeline movement, and overall fundraising activity.
Monitor and report on progress toward gift officer goals and institutional fundraising targets.
Prepare data-driven reports and updates for university leadership and the Board of Trustees.
Qualifications (Education, Experience and Specialized Training)
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 3 years of experience in gift accounting, financial operations, or nonprofit finance.
Experience with Ellucian, Financial Edge, or Raiser's Edge.
Familiarity with donor databases and scholarship/endowment administration.
Physical Demands
Skills and Attributes
Knowledge
Strong understanding of donor pipeline development, relationship management, and donor engagement best practices
Strong leadership and fundraising experience, with demonstrated expertise in estate planning, tax laws, and charitable giving vehicles.
Skills:
Proficiency with fundraising CRMs and prospect tracking systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge or similar platforms).
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to:
Willingness and ability to travel extensively and work evenings and weekends as needed.
Proven ability to lead fundraisers, manage donor portfolios, and close significant philanthropic gifts.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S819
Will this position required travel?
No
Will this position required night, weekend, and after hour work?
no
Will this positon be supported using grants or contract funding?
No
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
04/07/2025
Close Date
07/07/2025
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions Summary
Each applicant, including all current employees, must complete and submit the following documents:
Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://tuskegee.peopleadmin.com/postings/2808
To create a Posting, first complete the information on this screen, then click the Next button or select the page in the left hand navigation menu. Proceed through all sections completing all necessary information. To submit the Posting to Human Resources, you must go to the Posting Summary Page by clicking on the Next button until you reach the Posting Summary Page or select Posting Summary Page from the left navigation menu. Once a summary page appears, hover your mouse over the orange Action button for a list of possible approval step options.
Position Information
Position Title
Senior Director of Development - Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving
Status
Full Time
Job Summary
Tuskegee University seeks a strategic and experienced fundraising professional to serve as Senior Director of Development - Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving, a key leadership position within the Division of Development and Alumni Engagement. Reporting to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement, this individual is responsible for leading and growing the University's efforts in both Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving, securing philanthropic commitments of $100,000 and higher.
The Senior Director directly leads and manages a team of regional development officers, major gift officers, and planned giving officers. In addition, the Senior Director personally manages a portfolio of approximately 100 high-capacity individual donors and prospects. The role requires a thoughtful and proactive relationship-builder with deep knowledge of high-level fundraising, legacy planning, and donor engagement best practices.
Essential Job Duties
Strategic Leadership
Provide vision and strategic direction for the University's Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving programs, aligning with Tuskegee's institutional priorities and philanthropic goals.
Directly lead, manage, and evaluate the performance of regional development officers, major gift officers, and planned giving officers.
Partner with the Vice President, President, Trustees, Deans, and senior leadership to identify funding opportunities and design tailored strategies for donor engagement.
Serve as a visible and compelling advocate for Tuskegee's mission and fundraising priorities.
Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving Program Oversight
Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major and planned giving prospects, focusing on gifts of a minimum of $100,000 and higher.
Design and implement strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with donor interests and institutional needs.
Expand and manage the University's Planned Giving program, including outreach and solicitation of bequests, charitable trusts, and other deferred giving vehicles.
Guide and mentor assigned gift officers in both Impact (Major) Giving and Planned Giving portfolios to achieve measurable fundraising outcomes.
Oversee the development of donor-facing materials and planned giving resources that align with institutional goals.
Internal Coordination
Collaborate with deans, academic leaders, and faculty to align development opportunities with funding needs and donor interests.
Partner with the Donor Services and Development Finance team to ensure proper documentation, gift processing, and donor intent compliance.
Coordinate with the Marketing and Communications team to create targeted content and promotional strategies that support fundraising goals.
Reporting and Performance Tracking
Utilize CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge) to track donor engagement, pipeline movement, and overall fundraising activity.
Monitor and report on progress toward gift officer goals and institutional fundraising targets.
Prepare data-driven reports and updates for university leadership and the Board of Trustees.
Qualifications (Education, Experience and Specialized Training)
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 3 years of experience in gift accounting, financial operations, or nonprofit finance.
Experience with Ellucian, Financial Edge, or Raiser's Edge.
Familiarity with donor databases and scholarship/endowment administration.
Physical Demands
- Ability to operate standard office equipment
- Ability to walk short distances
- Ability to lift and carry parcels, packages and other items
- Ability to view a computer terminal
Skills and Attributes
Knowledge
Strong understanding of donor pipeline development, relationship management, and donor engagement best practices
Strong leadership and fundraising experience, with demonstrated expertise in estate planning, tax laws, and charitable giving vehicles.
Skills:
Proficiency with fundraising CRMs and prospect tracking systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge or similar platforms).
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to:
Willingness and ability to travel extensively and work evenings and weekends as needed.
Proven ability to lead fundraisers, manage donor portfolios, and close significant philanthropic gifts.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S819
Will this position required travel?
No
Will this position required night, weekend, and after hour work?
no
Will this positon be supported using grants or contract funding?
No
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
04/07/2025
Close Date
07/07/2025
Open Until Filled
No
Special Instructions Summary
Each applicant, including all current employees, must complete and submit the following documents:
- Tuskegee University employment application
- Cover Letter
- Resume/CV
- Recommendation letters
- Copies of unofficial transcripts.
- Please note that official transcripts(s) will be required upon hire
Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://tuskegee.peopleadmin.com/postings/2808