Posting Details (Default Section)
Posting Number:20254491SPosition Title:Director of Major Giving, West RegionPosition 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.
This is a full-time remote position, based in Los Angeles, CA.
Reporting to the Executive Director for Regional Development, the Director of Major Giving for the West region will develop, implement, and maintain a fundraising initiative for the West region, with a strategic focus on California The Director will identify, cultivate, and solicit alumni, parents and friends of the University for major gifts ($100,000 and above); identify and manage senior volunteers; design and conduct prospect cultivation events; and maintain an awareness of relevant Alumni Relations activity in the region. The Director will directly manage one Major Gift Officer based remotely in Northern California, and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the West Region Campaign Committee. The Director will collaborate with other Advancement staff and academic leaders to achieve fundraising and engagement objectives. This position will be based remotely (home office) in Los Angeles and will require quarterly trip to campus (Philadelphia area), in addition to regular local prospect-driven travel throughout the region.
The Director is expected to conduct 10-12 prospect visits per month and manage a portfolio of 100 prospects per year, and must be able to represent Villanova University’s mission enthusiastically and accurately to a variety of constituents and stakeholders. A successful Director will be independent, self-motivated and metrics-drive, 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:
- (Fundraising) Plans, implements and evaluates a major gifts plan for the West Region, establishes priorities, activity and revenue goals, and develops relationships and programs to maximize revenue from alumni, parents, and friends of the University. Successfully creates and manages a major gift portfolio of prospects actively bringing them toward major gift closure. Works closely with members of the central University Advancement staff to develop a comprehensive giving program for the University in the region. Identifies, cultivates, and solicits major gift prospects through face-to-face meetings to increase the level of private support.
- (Staff Management) Manages, motivates and evaluates the Major Gift Officer, West Region. Develops major gift strategies and revenue expectations, donor stewardship initiatives and special event plans to be implemented by appropriate staff.
- Supports the University in the West region by staffing academic leaders, providing briefing materials/strategy assessment, and by organizing donor cultivation activities.
- (External Relations) Actively develops relationships with academic leaders and staff to ensure positive internal and external public reactions.
- Coordinates the management and strategy of regional gift prospects through the central prospect management system, collaborating with School-based colleagues where appropriate.
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 required and in acquiring corporate and foundation funding desired.
- Significant major gift experience in a sophisticated, complex environment preferred.
- 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 results-oriented. Ability to communicate and collaborate with colleagues while working in an off-campus location.
- Knowledge of general office equipment, including use of laptop computers, required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Management experience preferred.
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:
Ability to drive/travel and work evenings and weekends required.
Special Message to Applicants:Posting Date:10/03/2025Closing Date (11:59pm ET):Salary Posting Information:
This position falls within salaried grade 20 and the range for this position is $170,000-180,000. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.
Salary Band:20Job Classification:exempt
