Posting Details (Default Section)
Posting Number:20254435SPosition Title:Director of Strategic InitiativesPosition Type:StaffLocation:Villanova, PARecruitment Type:Internal/External ApplicantsWork Schedule:full-time/12-monthsAvg Hours WeekDepartment:604 - University AdvancementPosition Summary:
Ignite Your Career at Villanova University! Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, your work will improve lives and ignite change!
Why work at Villanova?
- Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.
- Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
- Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more.
Villanova University has embarked on a 10-year strategic plan, Rooted. Restless., with the goal of enhancing the Augustinian Catholic living and learning experience for all members of our community. University Advancement is seeking exceptional talent to join our mission-driven team working together toward our shared vision for Villanova, fueled by the generosity of the University’s philanthropic supporters as we “keep moving” in the spirit of St. Augustine in the public phase of Villanova’s comprehensive capital campaign: Espiritus Nova.
The Director of Strategic Initiatives is a member of the University Advancement (UA) Office and the lead Major Gifts Officer for university-wide funding priorities. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Major Gifts, Regions and Constituents within UA.
The Director of Strategic Initiatives is responsible for the oversight, design, planning, and implementation of all philanthropic activity in support of strategic, university-wide priorities, including but not limited to: Falvey Library, the Career Center, Student Life, Mission and Ministry, and the Honors Program. Philanthropic activity will include developing and executing on major gift strategies; stewardship activities; identification and qualification of potential major donors; cultivation and solicitation strategies; and facilitation of the relationship between UA and the specific campus offices involved. The Director will also oversee and manage the Advancement liaison program within UA, which is responsible for providing support to other areas within the University that do not fall under a School/College or Athletics.
The Director of Strategic Initiatives represents Villanova University (VU) while establishing and managing effective relationships with significant prospects and major donors. The Director will solicit prospects and identify and motivate those alumni, parents, faculty, volunteers and friends who have an interest in advancing the development efforts for university wide priorities. The Director is expected to reach or exceed PV and solicitation metrics as established each fiscal year and manage a portfolio of up to 100 prospects per year, the overwhelming majority of whom have gift capacity of $100,000 or greater. The Director is expected to conduct 10-12 prospect visits per month, and must be able to represent Villanova University’s mission enthusiastically and accurately to a variety of constituents and stakeholders.
The Director of Strategic Initiatives manages and evaluates one Major Gifts Officer. The Director works collaboratively with other units within UA and on campus to advance institutional priorities, including communications, events, and stewardship. A successful Director will be independent, self-motivated and metrics-driven, and take creative and collaborative approaches to meet the University’s vision through the public-phase of its comprehensive campaign, Espiritus Nova.
Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Strategy and Execution: Develops, implements, and evaluates a major gifts strategy for university-wide priorities, including but not limited to: Falvey Library, the Career Center, Student Life, Mission and Ministry, and the Honors Program. Develops events and programs to maximize revenue from alumni, parents, and friends with interests in these areas. Works closely with UA colleagues outside of the major gifts division to advance efforts, with a special focus on Special Events, University Advancement Communication and Stewardship. Spearhead efforts for large campus projects that fall under oversight areas (e.g., the new library) in a way that utilizes others’ skills and ensures a truly integrated approach. Manages and assigns fundraising liaisons to areas on campus that do not fall within a School/College or Athletics.
- Campus Leaders: Builds strong relationships with the leaders of oversight areas. Provides guidance on Advancement efforts to support their important work, including participation in prospect meetings as appropriate. Partners with each leader to develop and refine funding priorities and to develop a thoughtful approach to fundraising in support of those initiatives. Actively develops relationships with faculty and key staff in those offices in order to ensure a positive, productive and collaborative working environment.
- Frontline Fundraising: Identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards major gift donors and prospects through face-to-face, virtual and phone meetings. Explores interest in providing philanthropic support for campus priorities and manages those relationships with the hopes of maintaining their philanthropic support for years to come. Manages a portfolio of assigned prospects, meeting or exceeding metric goals, and participates in meetings with other gift officers also working to secure gifts in advance of institutional priorities.
- Staff Management: Manages, motivates and evaluates at least one MGO. Provides guidance and coaching through regular meetings and assessments. Develops prospect strategies and revenue expectations. Provides guidance on the MGO’s work with campus leaders and participates in those meetings as appropriate.
- Perform additional duties and assist with special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 5-7 years’ experience in fundraising, with at least 3-4 years in major gift work required.
- Proven successful experience in individual fund raising at the major gifts level.
- Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to associate with Villanova University and champion its mission required.
- Understanding of the University culture and the process for decision making and program development required.
- Ability and willingness to travel required.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
- Comfort level working in a team oriented environment required, but also must be disciplined and result-oriented.
- Knowledge of general office equipment, including use of lap top computers, required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Management experience preferred.
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends required.
Special Message to Applicants:Posting Date:07/10/2025Closing Date (11:59pm ET):Salary Posting Information:
Commensurate with experience.
Salary Band:19Job Classification:exempt
