Executive Director of Development

The Executive Director of Development will serve as a lead major gifts fundraiser for Drexel University’s colleges and schools, with a primary focus on the LeBow College of Business and Howley College of Engineering and Computing. They are responsible for cultivating a portfolio of individual donors and soliciting gifts in support of the university and college/school priority areas. The Executive Director will be the primary liaison between the Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) and the Colleges.

The Executive Director of Development reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development responsible for the academic unit fundraising. The Executive Director will supervise a Director of Development (Major Gifts Officer).

This is a Hybrid position traveling into campus as needed, including events, internal meetings, donor meetings, etc.

• Plan, organize and direct programs to secure major and planned gifts by pursuing the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private support from individuals and other constituencies.
• Serve as the lead major gift fundraiser for the assigned Colleges, as such, builds and manages a pool of prospects capable of making major gift commitments of $50,000-$100,000 or more.
• Manages a portfolio of approximately 125 constituents from multiple territories across the country; travel to assigned regions in coordination with the Vice President of Individual Giving. 
• Work collaboratively to support funding opportunities and strategic initiatives of the Colleges, in conjunction with Deans, administrators and key faculty. 
• Manage, mentor and supervise a Director of Development who will work a blended portfolio of alumni and prospects from the assigned colleges and schools.
• Develop detailed and data-driven fundraising strategies and goals on a monthly basis for the top prospects within the portfolios.
• Maintains an active schedule of a combination of in-person and virtual meetings with major gift suspects and prospects, including alumni, parents, and friends of colleges and schools. 
• Assists in the qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of principal gifts prospects and donors in association with the Assistant Vice President of Development and the principal gifts team. 
• Steward donors through ongoing communications, reporting, recognition activities, invitations to key events in coordination with the Donor Relations team.
• Serves as a key liaison for the colleges with the Senior Associate Vice President of Planned Giving, paying special attention to opportunities to secure new planned gifts and steward members of the Drexel University Legacy Society. 
• Promotes University priorities and image to constituents, serving as front line staff to promote campus goals and objectives.
• Maintain current knowledge of university-wide institutional priorities.
• As appropriate, and in consultation with senior staff, cultivate and solicit prospects on behalf of other campus units. 
• Follows Institutional Advancement procedures regarding prospect management and documenting contacts.
• Responsible for oversight and submission of all relative fundraising reports, statistics, projections, and publications. 
• Other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated success in a development program; higher education experience preferred.
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $100,000+.
• Ability and willingness to travel regionally on a monthly basis.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent administrative skills.
• Ability and willingness to work in highly collaborative teams and individually.
• Previous experience working with senior-level executives.
• Valid Driver's License and willingness to drive extensively.

• Advanced degree.
• Supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of prospect management systems.
• Expertise in the fields of media, art and design.
• Knowledge of database fundraising software CS Advance.

• Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade N. Compensation for this grade ranges from $99,720 - $149,580.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

#LI-Hybrid 

Advertised: Aug 19 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Sep 19 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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