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Position Summary:
The Virginia Tech College of Engineering is seeking a Director of Development to support individual philanthropy in support of the College and University. The University is embarking on its next phase of strategic growth across its Blacksburg, Roanoke and Northern Virginia locations. Under the leadership of recently appointed Dean Julia Ross, and as the largest college at Virginia Tech, we are ranked #9 among engineering programs in public institutions. This position will be critical in support of achieving the ambitious goals of the College.
With more than 74,000 alumni, the College supplies more than half of the engineers to Virginia's work force and is on the forefront of innovation, working in disruptive technology areas that include: autonomous systems and robotics, cybersecurity and cyber physical systems, data analytics and decision sciences, injury and occupational biomechanics, manufacturing materials and systems, energy engineering and science, sustainable infrastructure and construction, transportation and logistics, turbomachinery and diagnostics, corrosion and water, and wireless communications and security.
The Director of Development in the College of Engineering will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward philanthropic gifts from alumni, parents, and friends which align with the college's strategic priorities. This highly motivated professional will be involved with the planning and implementation of the college's major gift fund raising efforts in support of current operations, endowment, capital, and other priorities from private sources as Virginia Tech prepares for a comprehensive campaign. He/She will fulfill the duties under the direction of the College in close cooperation with the University's central Advancement office.
Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Advancement in the College of Engineering, the Director of Development will:
• Manage a team of fundraisers on behalf of the College; including direct responsibilities of training, motivating, and development of 3 Major Gift Officers, and shared management of 2 Leadership Gift Officers.
• Assist with fund-raising activities for the College of Engineering-supporting both fiscal year goals and the capital campaign-within designated time frames.
• Travel, on average, five to eight days per month to cultivate, solicit, steward, and identify prospects for the College of Engineering.
• Have a portfolio of between 75-100 prospects.
• Have typical solicitation ranges of $250,000 to $1,000,000+.
• On a yearly basis, the DOD closes $2,000,000 (using a three year rolling average).
• Close on average 10 - 13 gifts per fiscal year.
• Develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies which include building, managing, and soliciting a portfolio of major gift prospects.
• Establish strong working relationships with central Advancement, collegiate and constituent development officers and the College staff to foster a productive work environment.
• Work closely with the Assistant Dean of Advancement, Dean, Associate Deans, department heads, program and center directors to develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies in support of their programs.
• Serve as a senior member of the College of Engineering Advancement team and collaborate and partner with colleagues in Alumni Relations and University Relations as part of an integrated Advancement model.

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree and successful fundraising track record.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, sales/marketing, advertising, public relations, communications or a related field.
• Willingness to travel on a frequent basis.
• Individuals should demonstrate professionalism, with strong communication skills and be capable of motivating volunteers as well as donors.
• The successful candidate will be self-motivated and have the ability to work as a team member in a complex organization.
• Develop and implement strategies with increasing complexity.

Preferred Qualifications:
• Preference given to candidates with experience in higher education fundraising.
• Preference for a Master's degree.
• Evidence of proven success in building productive relationships with senior administrators, key business leaders, faculty, staff, institutional boards, volunteers, and/or donors.
• Previous major gifts experience working with progressively complex strategies and/or professional level consultative sales experience building relationships and soliciting business from clients and executives in industry.



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