Boston University

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.

Required Skills

• A cover letter is required for consideration.
• Bachelor’s degree, advanced degree preferred
• 8+ years of directly related experience with 5+ years of management experience
• Outstanding and successful experience as a fundraiser, including comprehensive management of major gifts prospects
• Strong development credentials; including proven track record of building and developing a high-level portfolio
• Successful track record of managing a fundraising team
• Effective experience in enlisting and interacting with senior level leadership volunteers and committees
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills
• Superb judgment and the sensibility to adjudicate wisely among competing priorities
• A disposition to listen and circulate widely
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Exceptional reasoning, problem-solving and analytical skills, including an ability to translate ideas and concepts into clear, actionable steps
• Superb organizational skills and the ability to multi-task
• Ability to work independently as well collaboratively with team members
• Energy and stamina, self-confidence and humility, a strong sense of purpose, a tolerance for ambiguity and a sense of humor
• Familiarity with the West Coast preferred, ideally as a successful major gifts fundraiser
• Extensive travel, nights and weekends required.

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member’s
• contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills, our values, and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. 

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-353-6474 or druckman@bu.edu.