Senior Director of Development

For more than forty years, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication [Cronkite School] has been recognized nationally as one of the premier journalism and media programs in the United States, consistently ranked among the top schools for journalism education. With more than 2,500 students enrolled on campus and online, the Cronkite School is widely known for its immersive, hands-on "teaching hospital" model, which integrates real-world reporting, innovation, and public service into every aspect of the student experience. The School is home to an accomplished faculty of award-winning journalists, editors, producers, and internationally recognized media scholars who bring deep industry expertise and thought leadership into the classroom. Graduates of the Cronkite School hold leadership roles across national and global media organizations, public service journalism, digital platforms, and emerging media enterprises. Looking ahead, the Cronkite School is playing a central role in shaping the future of journalism through its leadership of the Knight Center for the Future of News , a major initiative supported by a $10.5 million investment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and an additional $4 million from Arizona State University. The center is accelerating innovation in the news industry by exploring emerging technologies, advancing sustainable business models, and supporting the next generation of media leaders. Anchored by three dynamic labs and a shared information hub, the center connects journalists, technologists, scholars and industry leaders to generate novel research, test ideas in real-world settings and share what is working to help accelerate meaningful, lasting transformation across the news ecosystem. Together with Arizona State University's broader commitment to innovation, access, and public impact, the Cronkite School is uniquely positioned at the intersection of media, democracy, and technology.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior Director of Development joins the Cronkite School at a defining moment for journalism, philanthropy, and public trust. This is more than a fundraising position — it is an opportunity to help shape the future of journalism. The Senior Director will build and expand a high-impact donor portfolio, steward transformative foundation partnerships, and drive ambitious revenue growth. The Senior Director will partner closely with ASU Foundation colleagues, School leadership, faculty, and University partners to deepen alignment, unlock new philanthropic opportunities, and strengthen collaboration across the Cronkite School, ASUF, and the broader University. For a development leader passionate about journalism, innovation, and democratic institutions, this role offers the rare opportunity to align significant philanthropic capital with one of the nation's most respected journalism schools.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Director of Development will execute plans to qualify, cultivate, steward and solicit donors to secure and increase significant philanthropic support in partnership with other development staff, School/Unit Directors, deans and/or faculty and campus leadership, depending on their assigned area(s) of responsibility, aimed at assuring long-term financial support for the ASU Foundation and Arizona State University. Fundraising Strategy and Donor Engagement Create and lead a coordinated program of fundraising and engagement activities designed to increase the number and level of annual, major, and/or principal gift donors; set direction and approach in partnership with ASU leadership's vision in assigned area(s) of responsibility Manage a personal major gift donor/prospect portfolio with a primary focus on securing gifts at or above the $100,000 level and a personal fundraising goal of at least $3M in accordance with performance metrics Lead efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, foundation, and corporate prospects on behalf of assigned area(s) of responsibility Guide the direction of written proposals, white papers, strategic plans, budgets, and other collateral materials as needed for securing significant ($100k+) philanthropic investments Ensure the proper stewardship and recognition of donors in portfolio Maintain up-to-date knowledge on key alumni and high-level donors and/or oversee continuous research and development of prospect intelligence Collaboration and University Partnerships Lead a development department/program and develop strategies to involve campus leaders, alumni, friends, and volunteers in philanthropic engagement Collaborate with faculty, institute/center directors, and unit-based and foundation-based fundraisers to align prospects with the direction and scope of their philanthropic interests and leverage maximum giving potential Maintain a high level of collaboration with internal departments and broader University partners to identify common goals and advance coordinated prospect and donor strategies Sustain and elevate working relationships with deans, chairs, directors, and faculty members within assigned area(s) of responsibility Participate as a member of the ASUF development team and serve as a resource to development colleagues across the University. Leadership, Operations and Accountability Recruit, motivate, develop, and retain a high-performance team (Assoc. Director, Development Officer and Development Coordinator) Set and evaluate individual goals, implement training and mentoring, and ensure coverage of priority areas Manage projects with moderate oversight, including serving as a project manager for complex, multilayered, university-wide proposals supporting major campaign priorities Ensure compliance with prospect management guidelines, including tracking, reporting, and documentation of donor contact and progress Manage budgets related to area(s) of assignment, ensuring a strong return on university investments while controlling expenses

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate's belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University and the Cronkite School's role in shaping the future of journalism. Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles Complex problem-solving skills coupled with the ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives Ability to successfully lead, coach and guide a team to achieve desired result Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others Knowledge of fundraising techniques in securing major gifts and capital donations, including proposal development, prospect identification, program planning, fund solicitation, database management, donor tracking, and social networking and marketing tools Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer database systems of the office.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree required; Advanced degree preferred

• Five (5) to seven (7) years of years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience with at least two (2) to three (3) years managing a team
• Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building and moves management approach leading to successful gift closure Experience raising awareness and fundraising for media/journalism preferred • Or any equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved This role operates in a hybrid work environment and will require residence in, or relocation to, the greater Phoenix area .

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, Stanton Chase will contact only candidates whose qualifications closely match the requirements of the role.