Many universities grow their global reach by building strong ties with donors who share their goals. This role is for someone who enjoys meeting people, shaping clear giving plans and guiding important conversations with supporters around the world. If you like building trust, learning what donors care about and helping a major research university reach long term goals, this position will fit your skill set. You will work with leaders, staff and volunteers to help secure gifts that support students, research and programs across the university.
Job Summary
Position: Senior Director of Development, Global Philanthropy
Company: Vanderbilt University
Location: Nashville, TN, remote with travel
Employment: Full time
Salary Range: Not stated in posting
Job Category: Philanthropy and Development
About the Company
Vanderbilt University is a well known research school with a global base of alumni, parents and friends. The school works to support teaching, research and service. The Development and Alumni Relations team helps find and build relationships with supporters whose goals match the mission of the school. The team also helps plan donor outreach, build strong ties with alumni and guide gifts that support many programs.
Role Overview
The Senior Director supports the global giving work of the university. The role focuses on alumni and parent donors in regions such as Asia and the Middle East. You guide outreach, meet with major gift prospects and help shape plans that support global fundraising goals. You work with senior staff and team members to plan and carry out steps that match donors with the school’s needs.
This role also includes managing your own donor list. You will build a yearly plan, review prospects and track moves that help guide each person toward a gift. You support both your own plans and the larger program.
Key Responsibilities
You help match donor goals with the mission of the school. You learn what donors care about and guide them to programs that will help students, research or faculty work. You support the message of the Development and Alumni Relations team and help share it with donors in clear, simple terms.
You give advice to the team on global gifts and help build steps that support work overseas. At times, you work directly with donors. At other times, you prepare background and plans that help other team members take the lead. These tasks shift, so you need to be able to adapt.
You support the full cycle of donor work. You find new prospects, meet with them, guide their interest and help ask for support. You also help thank donors and keep them connected. Your work includes outright gifts, pledges and planned gifts. You plan travel to meet donors in person when needed.
You create a yearly plan that lists key donors for the next year. You update the plan and track progress. You aim to help secure at least one and a half million dollars in gifts each year.
You help push forward the global giving program. You help shape plans that support scholarships, endowed chairs, capital needs, academic work and research. You help draft clear strategies for your donor pool and help others prepare when joining solicitations.
You also serve as a link to other teams at the school. You work with staff in the Chancellor’s Office, the Provost’s Office and across other schools and units. You help shape plans for large multi-unit gifts and support major giving work that spans several programs.
Team Support and Standards
You learn the school’s mission and how Development and Alumni Relations supports it. You become familiar with the main goals of each school or unit. You help improve standards and share your knowledge with peers so teams across the group can build strong plans for major and principal gifts.
You support a stable work culture. You share ideas, respect others and look for ways to help the group deliver consistent results. You keep a calm and clear tone in tough moments and protect donor privacy. You also help with other tasks as assigned.
Work Environment
You live in the United States but travel abroad for donor work. You may also travel to the Nashville campus on a regular basis. You need to be ready for overnight trips, some evening events and weekend needs.
Qualifications
You need a bachelor’s degree or a mix of education and experience that fits the role. You need at least eight years of work in related fields. Strong candidates have five to seven years of major gift work in higher education and a record of closing large gifts. You need strong people skills, clear communication and good judgment. You must be able to work with senior donors and staff.
Skill with languages used in Asia or the Middle East, such as Mandarin, is helpful. You must be able to manage your time, handle many tasks, meet deadlines and shift focus as needs change. You need to be able to work with data and use tools such as Word, Excel and the school’s donor system. Driving is part of the role, so you need a valid license and a good driving record.
How to Apply
Send your resume and cover letter through the Vanderbilt University application site. Make sure your materials show your global giving experience, donor results and your ability to guide work with major gift supporters.
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