Director of Development, GW Engineering

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal and major gift prospects annually and complete 8-10 monthly prospect visits in pursuit of an annual fundraising goal $1M+. Manage a prospect pool of 120 individuals.
• Coordinate and collaborate with GW Engineering and central development staff to identify $100k+ prospects, create development proposals, and cultivate strategic multifaceted relationships with funding sources including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Develop comprehensive campaign strategies to promote awareness of engineering programs. Identify target audiences and tailor campaign messaging to reach prospective donors.
• Travel regionally/nationally while realizing deadlines and functioning effectively inside a fast-paced environment which necessitates professional excellence, a high energy level, discretion, and flexibility.
• Fundraise for GW Engineering strategic priorities including scholarships, professorships, student co-curricular activities, GW Trustworthy AI Institute, Energy Innovation, and Gender Equity in Engineering initiative.
• Create and implement strategies to engage donors by facilitating consistent and meaningful connections, strengthening long-term partnerships, and growing philanthropic interest to ensure that GW Engineering is a top priority.
• Evaluate various gift opportunities, grow knowledge of giving vehicles, and make innovative recommendations to donors to maximize the impact of their support.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge of the school's strategic priorities relating to special/critical initiatives, and serve as a content resource to other development colleagues and fundraising units cutting across the university.
• Complete ongoing stewardship activities, while actively participating in alumni and donor engagement activities.
• Monitor progress, analyze results, and make data-driven adjustments to ensure strategies are effective and efficient while continuously identifying new opportunities for fundraising and donor engagement.
• Foster a collaborative and results-oriented work environment which encourages teamwork and personal growth.
• Represent the organization at external events, conferences, and donor meetings to promote GW Engineering and secure funding.
• Perform other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

• 4 years of Major Gift Development experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience closing six-figure gifts, managing campaign activities, and overseeing volunteer recruitment.
• Demonstrated ability in cultivating and soliciting gifts for a variety of restricted areas.
• Prior development work at an engineering, law, or business higher educational institution is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with donor management systems and a high degree of comfort with using technology to communicate, track, and share information.
• Strategic planning skills that include the ability to develop, implement, and monitor short-and long-term goals for engagement, donor acquisition, and retention.
• Experience working in an academic environment and staffing senior academic leaders on donor calls as well as at volunteer meetings and events.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and project management skills.
• Distinguished track record of collaborating with a team to achieve goals.
• Ability to travel locally and nationally when necessary and to work on occasional evenings and weekends.

George Washington University