Executive Director of Development, Scholarships & Student Experience

Are you a strategic fundraiser who sees possibilities everywhere embraces opportunity  and knows how to turn it into game-changing impact Do you lead with clarity thrive in complexity and elevate the performance of those around you Are you passionate about creating opportunities for students Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Executive Director of Development to lead philanthropic efforts that directly shape student access affordability and success on the Bloomington campus. This is a high-impact senior leadership role focused squarely on major gifts and transformative philanthropy. 

The Executive Director of Development Scholarships & Student Experience leads fundraising strategy and results across several key campus units: Office of Enrollment Management Office of Student Life Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Hutton Honors College and the Wells Scholars Program. This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Development at the IU Foundation with a dotted-line relationship to the Senior Executive Advisor to the Chancellor. You will lead and mentor a high-performing team of major gift officers while managing your own robust portfolio. This is a true major gifts leadership role  laser-focused on philanthropy. Stewardship alumni engagement and related activities are supported by central services allowing you to concentrate on raising transformational support in coordination with IU Foundation teams. 

This role is ideal for a leader who: 

• Confidently manages and advances a major gift portfolio 
• Leads fundraisers with empathy accountability and high standards 
• Thrives in a matrixed environment and builds strong academic partnerships 
• Understands scholarship fundraising and aligns donor passions with institutional priorities 
• Balances competing priorities while maintaining long-term strategic focus 
• Delegates effectively and makes thoughtful strategic decisions 
• Builds authentic relationships with donors collegues staff and campus leadership 
• Unlocks donor potential by connecting passion with purpose 

You will navigate complexity with grace keeping the philanthropic mission at the center of every decision. 

Key Responsibilities 

The role focuses on providing strategic fundraising leadership by developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies across assigned units leading major gift efforts and supporting annual giving and donor relations initiatives. It involves identifying and cultivating high-capacity prospects while creating innovative partnerships and collaborative fundraising opportunities. The position also requires strong team leadership including managing mentoring and developing major gift officers fostering a culture of accountability and excellence and modeling the IU Foundations values of being mission-driven collaborative responsible and service-oriented. Additionally the role emphasizes building and sustaining meaningful relationships with donors volunteers and university partners aligning fundraising priorities with campus leadership and representing the Foundation with professionalism and strategic insight. Performance expectations include completing 14 major gift solicitations and closing 7 gifts annually with an annual fundraising goal exceeding $2 million and opportunities for growth. 

Qualifications :

Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities 

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust quickly  
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and bringing clarity to complex situations 
• Demonstrated initiative ownership and follow-through 
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities  
• Ability to work effectively with stakeholders across disciplines and levels 
• Experience improving cross-functional processes 
• Interest in continuous improvement and practical use of technology 
• Adaptability in a fast-paced evolving environment 

Education & Experience 

• Bachelors degree required; advanced degree preferred 
• 7 years of fundraising or related experience within a complex organization 
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising 
• Experience supervising and developing fundraisers strongly preferred 
• Ability to work with academic leaders boards and senior stakeholders 
• Strong analytical skills and CRM proficiency 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining strategic focus 
• Experience with scholarship or student life fundraising is a plus 
• Higher education experience welcomed but not required 

Additional Information :

Compensation range: $120000$140000 annually commensurate with experience. We anticipate a strong candidate pool and will accept applications through April 12. If you are energized by shaping strategy unlocking donor passion and advancing student opportunity at scale we encourage you to apply. 

The IUF is committed to providing a safe respectful and professional work environment that is free of Discrimination and Harassment. The IUF will not tolerate any form of Discrimination or Harassment based on the Individuals race ethnicity religion color sex age national origin genetic information sexual orientation disability gender identity or expression ancestry marital status protected veteran status pregnancy or any other basis prohibited by law.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time