Senior Director of Philanthropy, Worldwide

The Opportunity:

Since its inception, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has remained best in class — the unquestioned global leader in aerospace education, and the definitive source of innovation in aviation and aerospace education and research. The largest, most comprehensive institution of its kind, Embry-Riddle was founded in 1926, 22 years after the Wright brothers’ first demonstration of piloted, powered flight: 12 seconds that changed the world and eventually brought Embry-Riddle into being. Today, with a nearly 100-year legacy of innovation and excellence in education, even greater accomplishments lie ahead — and above!

Embry-Riddle holds multiple Top 10 academic rankings. Our aerospace engineering programs, for example, have routinely been judged to be the nation’s best. With a long history of serving those who serve, Embry-Riddle is annually named “Best for Veterans.” In addition, the university’s online bachelor’s degree programs have ranked first or second in the nation for the past eight years. And, Embry-Riddle’s professional pilot degree programs are the unquestioned gold standard for aspiring aviators.

As we prepare for our Centennial Campaign, there has never been a more exciting time to make your mark on our University’s history. We seek a dynamic and seasoned fundraiser to join the Office of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement in the role of Senior Director of Philanthropy for Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus.

Backed by an international reputation for academic excellence, Embry‑Riddle’s Worldwide campus is an online community that takes pride in its longstanding relationship with the U.S. military and in supporting veterans. The Worldwide campus offers degree programs from aviation and applied sciences to business, engineering, intelligence and space. The Senior Director of Philanthropy for the Worldwide campus works to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts from alumni and community partners. The ideal candidate will provide leadership and coordination to the campus in approaching donors for major gifts, working closely with academic leadership, faculty, and development colleagues. They will develop and implement fundraising strategies, prepare compelling oral and written proposals, build and maintain effective relationships with booster supporters.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy, and collaborating closely with the Worldwide Chancellor and Deans, the Senior Director of Philanthropy will chart the course for the campus fundraising success, cultivating relationships with esteemed alumni, foundations, and our many corporate partners.

This isn't just a job – it's an opportunity to be a catalyst for change, a champion of innovation, and a guardian of our legacy. If you're ready to make waves, break barriers, and leave an indelible mark on the future of aerospace education, we want you on our team.

Essential Job Functions:

Major Gifts

The Senior Director shall be assigned a portfolio of approximately 75-125 prospects. In this role they shall conduct discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship calls within their assigned portfolio. Prospects will be engaged through print or electronic correspondence, calls, encounters at events, and, most importantly, face-to-face visits. Significant travel including on evening and weekends should be anticipated. On behalf of the University, the Senior Director – Worldwide will develop written strategies and tactics for each prospect, implement them, and collaborate with colleagues in the division to achieve donor engagement and stewardship goals.

Unit Liaison

Engage with and coordinate development activities within academic units. Participate in leadership meetings in order to better understand a unit’s needs, challenges, and opportunities. Help coordinate central advancement efforts in the areas of annual giving, major gifts, advancement communications, data acquisition, planned giving programing, donor relations and donor impact reporting. Build lasting, effective relationships with academic leaders, staff and students across campus to best engage them in the process of philanthropy. Advise academic leadership and staff on the institution’s philanthropic policies, practices, schedules, and strategies as well as on general best practices in philanthropy. Ensure a strong healthy relationship with between units and the central administration of the University.

Support Central Development

Observe institutional development policies, participate actively in meetings held by central development, and maintain a satisfactory level of training and knowledge of best practices. The Senior Director’s main emphasis is to secure funds for the Worldwide campus while being donor-centric. Thus, as necessary or as assigned, assist the central development enterprise in achieving its broader objectives. This may entail transferring or sharing assigned prospects based on interests in other units. Conduct discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in accordance with those assignments. Engage current and prospective donors through print or electronic correspondence, calls, encounters at events, and most importantly, individual, face to face visits. Complete timely, accurate, concise, and complete contact reports and enter them into the Division’s enterprise system.

About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University:  

At Embry-Riddle, we take pride in our position as the world's largest and most comprehensive university dedicated to aviation and aerospace. Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, our esteemed residential campuses offer a prestigious educational experience. However, our commitment to education knows no borders as our Worldwide campus expands our reach globally, providing a world-class education online and at approximately 110 locations across the United States, Asia, Europe, and Central and South America. This breadth of reach ensures that students can access our exceptional programs without geographical limitations. 

With a history spanning nearly a century, we have continually adapted to the dynamic needs of the industries we support. In the Academic Year 2022-23, we welcomed over 11,100 students to our residential campuses and over 19,000 students at our worldwide campus.  

Join our global community and embark on a journey of academic excellence and limitless possibilities. Employees working more than 30 hours a week can enjoy medical, dental and vision benefits, an amazing retirement plan with immediate vesting that includes a 6% gift and up to 4% match, free tuition for employees and their immediate family members, and a generous personal leave program. To find out more about our benefits and why ERAU has been named a “Great College to Work For” for 13 consecutive years, visit our careers page .  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree is required (foreign equivalent or higher). Six (6) years of full-time fundraising experience in higher education, a complex healthcare system, or a large non-profit. Proven record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major level ($100,000+) gifts from individual donors. Experience managing numerous priorities and a broad portfolio of donor/client relationships. Experience with Salesforce or comparable donor relationship applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

A master’s degree is preferred. Additional years of fundraising experience in higher education, a large non-profit, or a healthcare institution, experience at an academic or medical center, experience managing volunteers or an advisory board, comfort with high-net-worth individuals, including the ability to maintain confidential information, basic knowledge of planned giving vehicles and techniques, and experience developing a new donor constituency are strongly preferred.