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Director, Leadership Annual Giving
Job Location:
Job Location:
Detroit, MI - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 110000 - 110000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
26 September 2026 (7 hours ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
24 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Director Leadership Annual Giving
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Director Leadership Annual Giving at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier public urban research university located in the heart of Detroit Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence collaboration integrity diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
Job Purpose
Provide vision leadership and direction for the universitys leadership annual giving program. Responsible for the strategic design planning and implementation of programs communications and strategies to enhance the annual leadership philanthropic support from individual donors increase donor connection and engagement and deepen the prospect pipeline for the universitys major gifts program. This position is expected to personally meet ambitious fundraising goals annually with a specific focus on personally securing gifts between $1000-$50000 from individuals. This position reports to the Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Essential Functions
(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)
Essential Functions % Time
Provide vision leadership and direction for the leadership annual giving program. Responsible for the strategic design planning and implementation of programs communications and strategies to enhance annual philanthropic support from individual donors increase donor connection and engagement and deepen the prospect pipeline for the universitys major gifts program. Establish organizational plans to meet philanthropy goals monitor programmatic progress and oversee a comprehensive program that focuses on continued growth innovation and donor retention. 25%
Collaborate with school/college/unit directors of major gifts to establish unit-based leadership annual giving targets. Partner with the Director Prospect Development to develop and achieve pipeline development and prospect qualification goals regularly tracking progress. Work collaboratively with Advancement Services to develop and implement plans to integrate and leverage new technology to aid in pipeline development. 15%
Manage a prospect portfolio to achieve ambitious annual fundraising and contact goals. Establish and implement prospect qualification cultivation and solicitation strategies with a particular focus on securing commitments between $1000-$50000. Draft and negotiate gift and pledge documentation ranging from moderate to high complexity. Engage university leadership and school/college/unit colleagues to support prospect strategies as appropriate. 15%
Supervise staff effectively manage performance to meet individual and team initiatives; foster a collegial and highly productive work environment. Recruit interview hire train coach evaluate and discipline staff. Establish and communicate performance expectations in a manner that motivates and empowers staff to fulfill job duties. Encourage support and ensure employee participation in training and development programs. 15%
Develop goals and set operational standards for the unit. Conduct periodic review assess departments performance and implement strategic changes and enhancements as needed. Evaluate the success and effectiveness of leadership annual giving efforts through statistical and qualitative analysis. 10%
Manage units annual expenditure budget. Develop revenue and expense projections approve expenditures at unit level and monitor transactions for compliance with university policies and procedures. Establish priorities determine operating budgets and oversee the related expenditures. 10%
Network with outside professional groups and organizations to keep abreast of current industry trends and best practices related to leadership annual giving. Represent the division at industry or community meetings at the request of leadership. 5%
Perform other related duties as assigned. 5%
WORK CONTEXT
This grid characterizes the position scope.
Job Reports to: Vice President/AVP/Dean
Leadership Accountability: Develops strategic plans and interprets policy
Supervisory Accountability: Supervises professionals and non-managers
Organizational Accountability: Manages department
Financial Accountability: Manages operating budget
Customer Accountability: Interfaces with officials and executives
Freedom to Act: Sets broad policies and objectives
Unique duties:
Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education Bachelors degree
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in marketing business administration communications or related field. Masters degree preferred.
Reasonable knowledge and understanding of university policies and procedures.
Experience Expert (established subject matter expert 7 years experience)
Minimum seven (7) years of experience working in development marketing communications or related field. Experience analyzing complex data and applying results to inform project decisions. Experience with project management process analysis and data management. Demonatrated experience with direct individual solicitations and strategies.
Experience managing personnel preferably in advancement higher education or non-profit environment is preferred.
Professional understanding of and interest in Development and Alumni Affairs best practices and general operations. Positive and collaborative professional philosophy recognizing that this position is integral to the achievement of the goals and objectives of Development and Alumni Affairs.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
ANALYTICAL AND PRESENTATION SKILLS: Ability to evaluate interpret and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations. Must possess a demonstrated attention to detail in order to achieve a high degree of accuracy. Proposes and evaluates alternative solutions to achieve organizational goals.
COLLABORATION: Exhibit a willingness to partner and model partnership with units across the university with integrity and high character to reach unified goals. Possess the ability to navigate difficult situations with grace and understanding.
COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS: Ability to communicate clearly concisely and professionally both orally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills are a must. Demonstrates the ability to plan and deliver oral and written communications that are impactful and persuasive including presentations to university management and committees.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Demonstrated strong leadership skills to influence and motivate individuals and groups to achieve results. Maintain accountability for the universitys and divisions mission vision and values. Inspire your team to uphold these core values.
LEARNING AGILITY: Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations. Experience researching topics to gain knowledge and understanding when information gaps exist.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION: Ability to manage several projects simultaneously prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines. Strong organizational project and time-management skills required. Maturity sound judgment and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment.
TEAMWORK: Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the division and other units to gain full understanding of the project and desired outcome; ability to produce high quality and consistent results with assistance of team members; provide support to teammates when tackling complex projects.
TECHNICAL SKILLS: Proficient in the use of complex administrative systems software preferably in the higher education environment. Proficient with Microsoft Office suite especially Word Excel and Teams. Ability to understand and translate complex concepts into lay terms.
Working Conditions
Normal office environment. Hybrid schedule.
Adhere to confidentiality and data usage policy for the division.
This position requires a high level of commitment and enthusiasm. Due to travel requirements evening meetings and special events etc. candidate must be willing to work extended hours as needed.
Preferred qualifications:
School/College/Division:
H86 - Development & Alumni Affairs
Primary department:
H8605 - Development Office
Employment type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Staff/Administrative
Funding/salary information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum: $100000
- Salary hire maximum: $110000
Working conditions:
Hybrid work scheduleNormal working conditions
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check including a criminal history check before starting work. If you are offered employment the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Required Experience:
Director
About Company
A premier research university serving a diverse body of motivated students in vibrant Midtown, the cultural center of Detroit.
