Job detail for Director of Development, GWSB

The George Washington University Advancement Division seeks a Director of Development for the GW School of Business (GWSB). Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, this position serves as a lead fundraiser for the School and plays a key role in advancing the University’s mission through the cultivation of philanthropic support. The Director serves as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, developing authentic and enduring partnerships with alumni, parents, friends, and other constituents that lead to philanthropic support for the GW School of Business and the university.

The Director manages a portfolio of approximately 120 major gift prospects and donors, developing and executing strategies for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Through meaningful engagement and donor-centered relationship building, the Director aligns philanthropic interests with institutional priorities and secures gifts of $50,000 and above, including gifts exceeding $1million.

The Director partners with the Assistant Vice President, Dean, faculty, and Advancement colleagues to execute fundraising strategies and advance philanthropic priorities for the School of Business and the university. Working collaboratively across Advancement, the Director helps strengthen donor engagement, expand philanthropic support, and advance strategic initiatives that support student success, faculty excellence, academic programs, research, and capital priorities.

Primary :

• Manage and advance a portfolio of approximately 120 major and principal gift prospects and donors.
• Build and sustain meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, friends, and other key constituents to deepen engagement and inspire philanthropic investment in the School and university.
• Develop and execute individualized donor strategies that move prospects through the donor lifecycle, from identification and qualification through solicitation and stewardship.
• Secure major, principal and planned gifts in support of institutional priorities.
• Conduct approximately 15 prospect visits per month and maintain a high level of meaningful donor engagement activity.
• Partner with leadership to align fundraising efforts with institutional priorities.
• Prepare prospect strategy materials and briefing documents for university leadership.
• Collaborate closely with Advancement partners to identify, qualify, and cultivate high-capacity prospects.
• Support campaign planning and other strategic fundraising initiatives for the School and university.
• Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Participate in Advancement-wide initiatives, committees, and working groups that strengthen fundraising effectiveness and donor engagement.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven record of securing major and principal gifts through effective donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. The Director will serve as a strategic fundraising partner within Advancement and contribute to team-wide overarching goals, initiatives and best practices.

This position requires significant local and national travel with the possibility of international travel, along with the flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning that are reasonably related to the position.