Director of Advancement

Director of Advancement

Job no: 50000186

Work type: Full time

Location: Virginia Beach

Categories: Staff & Administration

Regent University seeks a strategic and relationship-driven fundraising professional to join the Office of Advancement as a Director of Advancement (Major Gift Officer). Reporting to the AVP of Advancement, this individual will play a critical role in advancing Regent's mission by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors in support of university priorities, including an upcoming capital campaign designed to double residential enrollment to 4,000 students by 2030.

The Director of Advancement will manage a portfolio of approximately 100-150 qualified major gift prospects and donors, with primary responsibility for securing five, six, and seven-figure gifts that directly impact student scholarships, academic programs, capital projects, and university operations. This position requires travel, strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to Christian higher education.

Work Location: Virginia Beach, VA. Qualified candidates may be considered for remote work.

Essential Responsibilities:

Portfolio Management & Donor Engagement

• Manage and grow a portfolio of 100-150 major gift prospects and donors capable of giving $25,000 or more
• Conduct face-to-face visits each month with donors and prospects to build meaningful, authentic relationships
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation strategies for each prospect, including personalized proposals, impact reports, and stewardship touchpoints
• Qualify prospects through strategic discovery conversations, assessing giving capacity, interests, and philanthropic motivations
• Move donors through the cultivation cycle from identification to solicitation to stewardship using proven moves management strategies
• Close major gifts at the five- and six-figure level annually, meeting or exceeding fundraising goals established by leadership

Strategic Fundraising & Campaign Support

• Actively support institutional priorities through targeted solicitation efforts
• Collaborate with the AVP of Advancement, President's Office, and academic leadership to align donor interests with university needs
• Prepare comprehensive briefing materials, customized proposals, and presentation materials for donor meetings
• Coordinate with Advancement colleagues on annual giving, planned giving, and corporate/foundation relations to maximize donor engagement
• Work with University leadership, Board members, and key volunteers to facilitate peer-to-peer solicitations

Donor Stewardship & Relationship Building

• Provide exceptional stewardship for all donors in portfolio, ensuring timely and meaningful recognition of gifts
• Create customized stewardship plans that demonstrate impact and inspire continued investment
• Coordinate campus visits, facility tours, and engagement opportunities that connect donors to Regent's mission
• Record all donor interactions, strategies, and contact reports in the donor database (CRM) within 24-48 hours of each meeting
• Monitor donor communication preferences and ensure personalized, mission-aligned engagement

Collaboration & Institutional Representation

• Represent Regent University at donor events, cultivation activities, and fundraising functions, including evenings and weekends as needed
• Work collaboratively across departments, including Admissions, Student Life, Academics, and Communications to facilitate donor connections
• Stay current on university programs, strategic initiatives, enrollment goals, and institutional achievements to effectively articulate Regent's vision and impact
• Participate in professional development opportunities and maintain knowledge of fundraising best practices and trends in Christian higher education

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution
• Minimum of 5 years of professional fundraising experience with demonstrated success in major gift solicitation
• Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing gifts of $50,000 or more
• Experience managing a donor portfolio and implementing strategic moves management

Candidates must have:

• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with ability to connect authentically with diverse constituencies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and presentation abilities
• Strategic thinking and ability to match donor interests with institutional priorities
• Proficiency with donor databases and Microsoft Office Suite
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail in managing complex donor relationships
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism

Faith & Mission Alignment

• Committed follower of Jesus Christ with a mature Christian faith and personal relationship with the Lord
• Strong commitment to Regent University's mission to provide Christian leadership to change the world
• Ability to articulate and represent a Christian worldview in all aspects of the role
• Active involvement in a local church community
• Background in marketing, sales, or business development preferred
• Commitment to Regent's core values of Excellence, Innovation, and Integrity

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Travel: Travel required (25% of time), including overnight trips throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and nationally
• Schedule: Flexibility required for evening and weekend donor meetings, cultivation events, and university functions
• Physical Demands: Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during travel and meetings; occasional lifting of materials up to 25 pounds
• Environment: Standard office environment with frequent off-site meetings in donor homes, businesses, and restaurants

Benefits

Regent offers a wide range of generous benefits including health, life and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; tuition incentives; fully vested retirement plans; life and disability insurance options, time off, and more. All regular faculty and staff serving at Regent and working a minimum of 30 hours per week will receive an attractive benefits package.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

• Current resume/CV
• Cover letter describing your fundraising philosophy, relevant experience, and alignment with Regent's Christian mission
• List of three professional references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early applications are encouraged.

Regent University does not discriminate in employment in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status. For full Non-Discrimination Policy click here.

Advertised: 23 Oct 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 31 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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