Director of Development

Thank you for your interest in working at William Paterson University.

William Paterson University is a purpose-driven, proudly diverse community-designated as both a public Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution-committed to creating transformative academic, professional, and personal experiences as a powerhouse of progress. We foster a workplace that values growth, flexibility, and community, and we are recognized as a 2024 and 2025 Forbes' Best Employers by State, 2025 Great College to Work For, and honored with the NJBIZ Empowering Women Award.


Our 1,000 dedicated staff members enjoy competitive benefits, a four-day summer workweek, tuition support, and strong opportunities for internal promotion. Situated on a scenic suburban campus just 20 miles from New York City, WP offers a diverse, inclusive environment where your contributions fuel student success, economic and social mobility, and community engagement. Together, we empower our students through intentional, holistic support within flexible, innovative, and inclusive settings-preparing graduates to thrive professionally and personally, and to lead with a commitment to progress in New Jersey and beyond.


Job Summary

The Director of Development serves as a strategic fundraising leader responsible for advancing philanthropic support for the Cotsakos College of Business and the Honors College. This role partners closely with academic leadership to translate institutional priorities into compelling donor opportunities and drives major gift fundraising through relationship-building, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration. This role reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

Core Competencies & Skills

Strategic Fundraising & Revenue Generation

• Demonstrates advanced ability to design and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies aligned with institutional and academic priorities.
• Proven success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major and principal gifts ($25K+).
• Ability to translate academic initiatives (scholarships, faculty support, innovation, student success) into compelling donor investment opportunities.
• Experience contributing to and advancing comprehensive fundraising campaigns and long-term revenue goals.

Relationship Management & Donor Engagement

• Exceptional skill in building, managing, and deepening relationships with high-net-worth individuals, alumni, corporate leaders, foundations, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to develop trust-based, long-term partnerships that result in sustained philanthropic support.
• Demonstrated ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, volunteers, and advisory boards.
• Strong interpersonal skills with cultural competence and emotional intelligence.

Leadership & Strategic Partnership Development

• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor and primary liaison to academic leadership, including Deans and senior administrators.
• Demonstrated success aligning fundraising initiatives with academic vision and institutional priorities.
• Skilled at influencing and collaborating across departments without direct authority.
• Ability to engage and mobilize volunteers, advisory boards, and leadership prospects in advancement efforts.

Corporate, Foundation & Alumni Engagement

• Knowledge of corporate and foundation relations, including grant development, sponsorships, and partnership cultivation.
• Ability to identify and secure strategic partnerships that enhance institutional visibility and financial support.
• Experience leveraging alumni networks, events, and engagement initiatives to strengthen donor pipelines.

Communication & Proposal Development

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive storytelling and case development.
• Ability to create compelling proposals, presentations, stewardship reports, and donor communications.
• Skilled at tailoring messaging for diverse audiences (individual, corporate, foundation).

Portfolio & Data Management

• Proven ability to manage a portfolio of major gift prospects using data-driven strategies.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems (e.g., Banner, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce) to track activity, manage pipelines, and forecast revenue.
• Strong analytical skills to assess donor capacity, engagement, and strategy effectiveness.

Project Management & Execution

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong planning and execution skills in support of events, campaigns, and donor engagement strategies.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining alignment with broader advancement goals.

Professionalism, Ethics & Stewardship

• Demonstrates integrity, discretion, and adherence to ethical fundraising standards and confidentiality.
• Commitment to best practices in donor stewardship and institutional compliance.
• Exercises sound judgment, initiative, and accountability in managing donor relationships and institutional resources.

General Job Duties

• Manage a portfolio of 100-125 major gift prospects, leading identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Serve as the primary development liaison to the Deans of the Cotsakos College of Business and the Honors College.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies supporting scholarships, faculty excellence, experiential learning, and innovation initiatives.
• Collaborate with academic leadership, advancement teams, and external stakeholders to identify and advance funding opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with alumni, parents, corporations, foundations, and community leaders.
• Partner with Corporate and Foundation Relations and Alumni Engagement teams on donor strategy and outreach.
• Prepare proposals, stewardship reports, and donor communications aligned with institutional priorities.
• Support campaign planning, pipeline development, and fundraising goal achievement.
• Maintain accurate donor records and activity tracking within CRM systems.
• Represent the institution at events and engagement opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising practices and institutional policies.
• Perform additional duties in support of advancement initiatives as assigned.

Education and Experience

Minimum Required

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or nonprofit environments.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising and donor relationship management.
• Experience working with academic leadership, corporate partners, alumni, foundations, and volunteer boards preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complex stakeholder environments and contribute to strategic initiatives.

This description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees in the above job. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Salary - NAL - $100,000 - $110,002

This position may be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health and dental insurance and retirement plans. To learn more, please visit: Benefits Package Pamphlet (NAL)

Invitation to apply
Interested candidates will be prompted to complete an application and submit a cover letter and resume/CV.

Submission of all documents listed is required for consideration and all documents should be uploaded where prompted to upload your resume/cv.

General questions related to this application process, please contact:
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Please include with your inquiry the Job Requisition number beginning with R as well as the job title and department.

Salary Range:

Please see posting.

Total Rewards and Benefits:

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EEO Statement

William Paterson University is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity, sex/gender (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, civil union status, familial status, religion, national origin or citizenship, military service status, or any other category protected by law. William Paterson University does not discriminate on the basis of any category stated above or as prohibited by applicable law. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

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