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Job Description
Position Summary:
The Senior Director of Development for Transformative Philanthropy and Strategic Initiatives (TPSI) will play a leadership role in shaping and advancing Vanderbilt University's newest strategic initiatives with opportunity for significant philanthropic support to launch, grow, and sustain. This individual will design and execute fundraising strategies for emerging, high-impact initiatives that often span traditional academic and administrative boundaries. This position blends frontline fundraising with strategic advisory work, requiring both a strong personal track record in major and principal gifts and the ability and entrepreneurial mindset to guide complex, multi-stakeholder efforts in evolving and sometimes ambiguous environments. About the
Work Unit:
The Department of Development and Alumni Engagement (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University's teaching and research programs. You can find more information at www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Much of this work will take place in environments that are not yet fully defined, so we are looking for a candidate that can embrace flexibility and bring an entrepreneurial approach. The Senior Director will regularly engage initiatives at an early stage, where academic vision, strategic direction, operating structure, and governance models are still taking shape. In these settings, this role will help clarify and refine these elements in partnership with university leadership in order to build a strong and actionable fundraising strategy. The Senior Director will work closely with university leadership, faculty, and development colleagues to build fundraising frameworks for new strategic initiatives—some incubated within TPSI and later transitioned to permanent units, and others retained within TPSI due to their interdisciplinary nature. Strategic Initiative Development and Fundraising Leadership Design and implement fundraising strategies for emerging university priorities and strategic initiatives, many of which are in early or undefined stages. Partner with academic and administrative leaders to help clarify vision, priorities, structure, and funding needs as a foundation for philanthropic engagement. Develop cases for support and funding opportunities even when initiative scope, leadership models, or operating plans are still being formed. Build flexible and sustainable fundraising structures for initiatives in incubation and growth phases. Facilitate the transition of select initiatives from TPSI to permanent fundraising homes, ensuring continuity and momentum. Portfolio Management, Pipeline Development, and Principal Gift Fundraising Manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects aligned with strategic initiative priorities. Cultivate, solicit, and steward principal and major gift donors, particularly for complex, cross-disciplinary opportunities. Partner with development officers across schools and units to co-develop donor strategies and advance shared prospects. Serve as a secondary relationship manager on a broad set of prospects, contributing strategic insight, content expertise, and proposal development. Work in close partnership with prospect research and prospect development teams to identify, qualify, and prioritize new suspects and prospects aligned with emerging initiatives. Help build and strengthen the donor pipeline for TPSI priorities, particularly in areas that may not yet have an established base of support. Develop and implement approaches to track fundraising activity, measure progress, and manage pipelines for new and evolving initiatives, ensuring visibility and accountability across stakeholders. Cross-Campus Collaboration and Advisory Leadership Act as a strategic advisor to unit leaders and development officers launching initiatives that involve multiple areas of the university. Provide guidance on fundraising approaches for initiatives that may not yet have clear ownership, structure, or long-term home. Help convene stakeholders across schools, centers, and administrative units to align direction, roles, and philanthropic strategy. Support the development of effective approaches for fundraising in interdisciplinary and evolving initiatives. Thought Partnership and Content Development Partner with DAR Communications to translate complex and sometimes early-stage ideas into clear and compelling cases for support. Work with faculty, researchers, and university leadership to define and articulate vision, impact, and funding opportunities. Contribute to the development of donor materials, proposals, and engagement strategies for transformational gifts. Other duties as assigned
Work Environment:
Preference for this position to be located in the Nashville, TN area. If located in Nashville, you can expect a hybrid work environment where you will work in the office one day per week or more depending on business needs. This position will require routine overnight travel.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position will not have any direct reports. This position reports administratively and functionally to
Senior Executive Director of Development, TPSI Education and Certifications:
Bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, is necessary.
Experience and Skills:
Eight years of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is required. Five or more years of development experience preferred, ideally within a higher education environment. Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing gifts of $100,000 or more and proven participation in principal-level gifts. Proven success managing the full donor lifecycle, from identifying and qualifying prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and gift closure. Proven ability to identify and engage new or previously unassigned prospects. Strong strategic thinking and organizational skills. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including proposal and presentation development. Ability to distill ideas and articulate the mission and priorities of a major research university. High level of discretion in handling confidential information. Experience collaborating across teams and disciplines to drive results. Familiarity with donor management systems and Microsoft Office tools. Ability to manage multiple priorities independently in an agile, growth-oriented, and fast-paced environment. Willingness to travel overnight regularly and work occasional evenings and weekends. Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records
