Executive Director, Development at New Jersey Institute of Technology in Eberhardt Hall

Job description

Are you a current NJIT employee? Apply here through the Internal Jobs Hub. Title: Executive Director, Development Reports To: Associate Vice President, Planned Giving and Major Gifts Position Summary: New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) seeks an accomplished, strategic, and relationship-oriented fundraising professional to serve as Executive Director of Development within University Advancement. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Major and Planned Giving, the Executive Director will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of major gift prospects in support of NJIT’s institutional priorities. The Executive Director will develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies designed to secure significant philanthropic support from alumni, parents, corporations, foundations, and other friends of the university. The position will work closely with university leadership, faculty, volunteers, and colleagues throughout University Advancement to translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities while building long-term relationships with donors. The successful candidate will be an experienced fundraiser with a demonstrated record of securing major gifts, strong interpersonal and communication skills, exceptional organizational abilities, and the capacity to work effectively in a complex research university environment. The Executive Director will be expected to manage a significant portfolio of prospects and donors, with particular emphasis on identifying and closing five and six-figure gifts. Essential Functions Manage a portfolio of high-capacity individuals, corporations, foundations, and other prospective donors, developing individualized strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts, with a particular focus on gifts of five and six-figures and, where appropriate, transformational philanthropic commitments. Develop sophisticated gift strategies that align donor interests and philanthropic objectives with NJIT’s institutional priorities. Conduct personal visits and other meaningful donor interactions to establish and deepen relationships. Prepare and present proposals, briefing materials, solicitation strategies, and other materials necessary to secure major gifts. Coordinate with University Advancement colleagues to ensure effective prospect movement and appropriate engagement throughout the fundraising cycle. Maintain a disciplined pipeline of qualified prospects and demonstrate consistent progress toward annual fundraising goals. Develop and implement annual and multi-year fundraising plans for assigned portfolios, schools, colleges, programs, or institutional priorities. Develop strategies for moving prospects through the donor cycle and ensure appropriate next steps are documented and executed. Maintain accurate and timely records of prospect and donor activity in Raiser’s Edge Regularly assess portfolio composition and prioritize prospects based on capacity, affinity, engagement, and readiness for solicitation. Establish strong working relationships with faculty leadership, department chairs, faculty members, and other university leaders. Serve as a strategic fundraising advisor to academic and administrative leaders, helping translate institutional goals into compelling philanthropic opportunities. Prepare university leaders and volunteers for donor meetings, cultivation activities, and solicitations. Accompany university leadership on donor visits and assist in developing individualized engagement and solicitation strategies. Help strengthen a culture of philanthropy throughout NJIT by educating faculty and staff about the role of private support. Collaborate closely with colleagues in major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, advancement operations, alumni engagement, communications, and donor relations. Coordinate