Director of Major Gifts

Number of Vacancies: 1



Area of Consideration: Open to the Public



Position Status: Full-Time, Regular



Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/2B



Salary Range: Up to $115,068.67



Closing Date: Open Until Filled



Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008



Brief Description of Duties


The Director of Major Gifts provides strategic leadership and direct execution for the University of the District of Columbia’s major gifts program, with responsibility for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors making gifts in the $10,000 through six-figure range. The Major Gifts Director coordinates and implements fund raising programs to secure supplemental funding, beyond the District appropriation, to support UDC operations and advancement. The role is also responsible for advancing a positive and accurate image of the University and its programs.


This position plays a critical role in advancing UDC’s philanthropic goals by building and managing a robust pipeline of major donors and strengthening long-term donor relationships. The Director designs and implements a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with institutional priorities and fundraising objectives.


The Director of Major Gifts reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement and operates with a high degree of professional autonomy and judgment. This role does not include responsibility for Leadership Gifts ($1,000,000 and above), which are managed separately, but collaborates as appropriate to ensure seamless donor progression and stewardship. This position works closely with advancement operations, stewardship, alumni relations, and academic leadership. The work directly impacts the University’s ability to secure philanthropic resources that support academic programs, student success, faculty initiatives, and institutional growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Portfolio Management & Fundraising (45%)
• Manages a portfolio of approximately 90 – 110 qualified major gift prospects, with responsibility for donor strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Personally solicits major gifts through in-person visits, proposals, and tailored engagement strategies.
• Develops customized proposals and naming opportunity pitches aligned with donor interests and University priorities.
• Coordinates with advancement leadership to support appropriate donor transitions into Leadership Gifts portfolios when capacity and readiness warrant.


Major Gifts Strategy & Program Leadership (20%)
• Leads the planning and execution of the University’s major gifts program, focused on gifts of $10,000 through seven figures ($1M+), in alignment with institutional priorities and campaign goals.
• Develops and implements annual and multi-year strategies to grow major gift revenue and donor engagement.
• Serves as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Advancement and the Chief Advancement Officer on major gift strategy, pipeline health, and prospect movement.
• Partners with deans, faculty, and unit leaders to translate academic and institutional priorities into compelling major gift opportunities.


Revenue Responsibility (10%)
• Carries significant revenue responsibility, with annual major-gift fundraising expectations typically ranging from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, exclusive of Leadership Gifts.
• Tracks progress against fundraising goals and adjusts strategy as needed in consultation with the Vice President for Advancement.


Operations, Data & Reporting (10%)
• Ensures accurate and timely documentation of donor activity, pipeline status, and solicitation outcomes in the University’s CRM (e.g., Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce).
• Uses data and analytics, Evertrue and ResearchPoint platforms to inform strategy, monitor performance, and forecast revenue.
• Prepares reports, dashboards, and briefing materials for senior leadership and key stakeholders.


Stewardship & Donor Engagement (10%)
• Ensures consistent, high-quality stewardship for all major gift donors, demonstrating impact and reinforcing donor confidence.
• Collaborates with stewardship, alumni relations, and communications teams to deliver coordinated recognition and engagement.
• Develops innovative stewardship strategies to strengthen donor retention and long-term commitment.


Innovation & Collaboration (5%)
• Applies best practices and innovative fundraising approaches to strengthen the major gifts pipeline.
• Contributes to a collaborative, results-oriented culture within the Office of Institutional Advancement.
• Represents the University professionally with donors, alumni, and external partners.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required
• Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in major gifts fundraising, advancement, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success soliciting and closing gifts in the five to six-figure range.
• Strong relationship-building skills with high-net-worth individuals and institutional donors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with fundraising CRM systems (Salesforce or Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge preferred).
• Experience in higher education or other mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, and manage the work of others, including setting expectations, providing feedback, supporting performance, and applying University policies and procedures.

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is not part of the collective bargaining unit.



Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA).



Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.



Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.



Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.



Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This position is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).



Residency Preference: A person applying for a position who is a bona fide District resident at the time of application for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.



Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation. The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia. The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.



Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.



Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources only.

Contact Information: All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: