The Catholic University of America

The Division of University Advancement plays a pivotal role in ensuring the continued growth and excellence of The Catholic University of America. By fostering deep and meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, benefactors, corporate partners, and philanthropic organizations, we secure vital financial support that fuels the university's mission. Through this support, we provide scholarships that open doors for deserving students, strengthen academic programs and faculty, and invest in the development and modernization of campus infrastructure. 

The Director for Advancement within Catholic University’s School of Engineering serves as the lead advancement officer for the school, responsible for all activities related to identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of annual, major and planned gifts from alumni, friends, and institutions. The position collaborates closely with the central University Advancement team, which provides resources and strategic counsel, and uniform metrics to help drive results within the schools and across the University. The Director also leads the collaborative effort in building alumni engagement and communicating the school’s mission, vision, and achievements to key donor, alumni, and additional external constituencies.

The position reports dually to the Associate Vice President for University Advancement and the Dean of the School of Engineering. The Director provides counsel to the Dean of the School and to the faculty on advancement matters, works with the Associate Vice President to set the philanthropic strategy and goals annually, and helps to organize and achieve the school’s philanthropic priorities in order to maximize external support. The Director will manage Advancement staff members within the School of Engineering, and will provide direction and leadership to University Advancement central staff in order to best support the priorities and activities of the Engineering School. 

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is $104,000 to $110,000. The ability to drive a vehicle on behalf of university business.

• Advancement Program Management: Supervise the advancement effort for the school by working with the Associate Vice President to develop, implement and evaluate the annual advancement plan. Serve as primary point of contact on all matters pertaining to fundraising in support of the School of Engineering.
• Individual Goals: Focus on securing major and principal sources of support to meet funding priorities set by the Dean and in response to supporting key initiatives or strengths of the academic program within the school. Manage a portfolio of relationships with major and principal gift suspects, prospects, and donors. The Director will be expected to build, grow and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, based on new and past donors, at the $100k+ level, in addition to the metrics below. The Director will be expected to conduct at least 85 prospect visits annually, soliciting and closing 10-20 major gifts and engage the same number of new major gift prospects each year. The Director is expected to build upon a program that currently generates 7-figure revenue annually, with a personal fundraising goal of $1.5M+ million per year. Annual gift revenue goals may vary year to year.
• Annual Giving & other Collaborative Efforts: The Director will manage annual fund giving and solicitation efforts by developing direct mail solicitations for the school’s alumni and friends in collaboration with the annual giving team. The Director will collaborate with central Advancement office colleagues in areas including planned giving, stewardship and donor relations, institutional partnerships, and constituent engagement to support the advancement program within the School of Engineering.
• Management of Volunteer Leadership: The Director will maintain volunteer leadership through engagement with the School’s Board of Visitors and other alumni or external constituencies key to the school’s fundraising success. The Director will recruit new members to grow the board and the pool of flexible revenue the dean can use to pursue opportunities and create new programs. Provide guidance for and management of programmatic content and stewardship activities for these constituents.
• Administrative Leadership and Oversight: The Director will supervise and evaluate University Advancement professionals assigned to support the Engineering School.
• Faculty Engagement: Work with the Dean and the Advancement staff to cultivate strong working relationships with faculty of the school who are overseeing priority academic and research areas. Guide academic partners through the major gift prospect development process. Manage the development of proposals, solicitation letters and other development materials for faculty use with School of Engineering prospects and donors. Continuously educate and steward the faculty to encourage their participation in philanthropic work.

Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible development/advancement experience within a large, highly complex non-profit business environment, with Higher Education experience strongly preferred; demonstrated track record of developing, soliciting, and securing large gifts; experience managing volunteer leadership groups for philanthropic purposes (board management); experience with capital campaigns, especially soliciting and closing lead gifts, developing solicitation materials, case statements, etc.; and mission aligned with Catholic University. Must have at least 3 years staff management experience.

Skill in using development-related database systems. Possession of current and valid U.S. driver’s license appropriate to the type of university vehicle and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Driving Record (MVR) as stipulated in the Vehicle Guidelines and Procedures Manual administered through the office of Environmental Health and Safety. Annual clearance of MVR check through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Must be polished, passionate and have exceptional interpersonal skills. Must possess the ability to lead and obtain results from professional colleagues and exceptional ability to communicate verbally and in writing. Must have effective planning and organization skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google suite of applications. Familiarity with generally accepted office procedures, and ability to utilize the internet for research-related duties. Skills in planned giving and/or wealth management desirable. Skill in using development-related database systems, preferably Raiser's Edge.

Possession of current and valid U.S. driver’s license appropriate to the type of university vehicle and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Driving Record (MVR) as stipulated in the Vehicle Guidelines and Procedures Manual administered through the office of Environmental Health and Safety. Annual clearance of MVR check through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.