Director of Development – Framingham State University

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Job description

Location: Framingham, MA Category: Staff Job Type: Full-time

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Responsible for providing strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the development officer team within the Division of University Advancement at Framingham State University. The Director will play a key role in the success of the University’s $55 million comprehensive fundraising campaign that is currently underway.

The Director of Development oversees frontline fundraising activity, portfolio management, and moves management processes to ensure effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.

Working in close partnership with the Assistant Vice President of University Advancement and the Vice President for University Advancement, the Director of Development helps develop and implement strategies to strengthen the University’s major and leadership gift pipeline and expand philanthropic support for institutional priorities.

The Director maintains a limited portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors and plays a key role in advancing major gift opportunities. The position collaborates closely with the Director of Alumni Relations and the Associate Director for Stewardship and Annual Fund to align engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies across the Office of Development & Alumni Relations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Assistant Vice President of University Advancement

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Development Officers

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day supervision for a team of development officers (currently four), supporting their work in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
  • In collaboration with the Vice President for University Advancement and the Assistant Vice President for University Advancement, establish and monitor fundraising goals and performance expectations for development officers, ensuring accountability for activity, pipeline development, and revenue outcomes.
  • Lead regular performance review and planning discussions with development officers to ensure progress toward individual and team fundraising goals.
  • Oversee development officer portfolios, including prospect assignment, portfolio composition, and strategy to ensure effective donor engagement and balanced prospect pipelines.
  • Conduct regular portfolio reviews and moves management strategy sessions to ensure donor prospects are progressing effectively through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  • Mentor and coach development officers to strengthen fundraising strategy, relationship management, and solicitation effectiveness.
  • Maintain a limited portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors and participate in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities as appropriate.
  • Collaborate with the Assistant Vice President and Vice President for University Advancement to develop and implement fundraising strategies that support institutional priorities and long-term philanthropic growth.
  • Support the development and management of a strong pipeline of prospective donors capable of making leadership annual gifts, major gifts, and planned gifts.
  • Work collaboratively with the Director of Alumni Relations to align alumni engagement efforts with donor cultivation strategies.
  • Partner with the Associate Director for Stewardship and Annual Fund to ensure coordinated donor stewardship, recognition, and engagement.
  • Monitor and report on fundraising activity and performance metrics, including donor visits, solicitations, dollars raised, pipeline development, and portfolio engagement.
  • Utilize the University’s Customer Relationship Management system to track fundraising activity and ensure accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions.
  • Prepare and share fundraising reports and analysis to inform advancement leadership and support strategic decision-making.
  • Support University Advancement initiatives and events that strengthen donor engagement and philanthropic support for the University.
  • Responsible for reporting to the Equal Opportunity Officer or Title IX Coordinator knowledge or receipt of reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation from students or other members of the university community.
  • Accountable for ensuring that equal opportunity, inclusion, and equity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Office setting and travel to meeting sites outside of Framingham State University to meet with prospects and donors. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

Job Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising.
  • Demonstrated success securing major gifts.
  • Demonstrated experience cultivating and soliciting philanthropic gifts.
  • Experience supervising, mentoring, or leading fundraising staff.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with university leadership, donors, alumni, and colleagues across departments.
  • Travel and some night/weekend work are required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Experience in higher education fundraising or nonprofit advancement.
  • Experience managing fundraising portfolios and moves management strategies.
  • Familiarity with a Customer Relationship Management system or “CRM.”

Additional Information:

This is a full-time exempt benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with a union title of Director. The starting salary range is $100,000 – $110,000.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

How to apply

Apply now

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability status, Veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Framingham State University, located just 20 miles west of Boston, is a vibrant comprehensive liberal arts institution offering 26 undergraduate degree programs in arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences, and professional fields. Nearly 6,000 students attend Framingham State, including nearly 2,000 graduate students. Framingham State University offers graduate degrees in 25 fields, including an extensive graduate program for teachers in international schools. The University takes pride in its 30,000 alumni, most of whom live and work in Massachusetts. The University is just the right size - small enough for learning to be personal and collaborative, yet large and diverse enough to broaden students' understanding of their world. This broadening of perspectives and appreciation of diversity is one of the hallmarks of a first-rate undergraduate education.