Director of Development, Major Gifts and Principal Gifts

Director of Development, Major Gifts and Principal Gifts Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status Job Overview The Director of Development, Major Gifts and Principal Gifts is a key leader within the George Washington University Division of Advancement and the GW Health and Medicine Advancement team, serving as the primary fundraising lead for the Milken Institute School of Public Health (SPH). The role focuses on driving philanthropic support to advance GWU’s mission of excellence in Health and Medicine, with a focus on public health education, groundbreaking research, and scholarship. Reporting and Collaboration Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Advancement, Health and Medicine, works closely with the dean, department heads, leadership, faculty, and administrative staff of the School of Public Health and the University to create and execute a sustainable program to meet fundraising goals. Works closely with prospect research, development/alumni relations, Health & Medicine and Central Advancement colleagues in identifying, cultivating and tracking major gift prospects. Key Responsibilities Portfolio Management : identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of up to 125 major gift prospects for SPH. Strategy & Execution : develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward gifts up to and exceeding $1 million. Prospect Engagement : active one-on-one engagement with the portfolio, completing 8-10 monthly prospect visits. Relationship Building : develop meaningful connections with alumni, community members, parents, and friends of the school to move them across the donor continuum. Leadership Support : lead and collaborate on SPH prospect and donor strategy, prepare briefing materials for university leadership, manage prospect and donor activity, participate in working group activities within SPH and University Advancement. Mission Critical Goals : essential for achieving ambitious philanthropic support for faculty, student support, academic programs, and capital priorities. Mentorship : provide senior leadership and mentorship to other major gifts officers. Accountability : self‑management of personal metrics, including overall goal review, visits, pledge collection, and portfolio moves. Stewardship : steward assigned donors, including pledge collection and management of endowment funds. Perform other related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 6 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree in a relevant area of study plus 4 years of relevant experience. Degree must be conferred by start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Preferred Qualifications Experience working in a Higher Education environment with a focus on Public Health fundraising. Benefits GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well‑being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit Job Details Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. College/School/Department: University Advancement Sub‑Family: Major Gifts Level: Level 4 Full‑Time Hours per Week: 40 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm Telework: Yes Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search. Posting Number: S014092 Job Open Date: 03/16/2026 EEO Statement The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr