Emory University logo

Emory University

Director of Development Strategy - Clinical, Research and Alumni Programs

🇺🇸 Atlanta, GA

🕑 Full-Time

💰 TBD

💻 Development & Advancement

🗓️ November 20th, 2025

CRM

Edtech.com's Summary

Emory University is hiring a Director of Development Strategy - Clinical, Research and Alumni Programs. The role directs and implements strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts supporting education, patient care, and research within Woodruff Health Sciences, while managing donor relationships and collaborating with faculty and advancement offices.

Highlights
  • Lead solicitation of gifts ranging from $100K to over $5M to support Clinical, Research, and Alumni programs.
  • Manage a portfolio of prospects through active solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship activities.
  • Develop donor strategies and coordinate fundraising materials such as proposals, case statements, and reports.
  • Collaborate closely with Emory Healthcare/Medicine leadership and faculty to align donor priorities with institutional goals.
  • Utilize CRM systems and maintain detailed donor and prospect records.
  • May supervise staff and manage budgets as part of the role.
  • Requires proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, mass email applications, database and project management software, and CRM systems.
  • Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree and five years of fundraising or related experience.
  • Preferred experience includes closing major gifts, working in university settings, and expertise in comprehensive campaigns or alumni engagement.
  • This position requires in-person presence two days per week and residency in Georgia.

Director of Development Strategy - Clinical, Research and Alumni Programs Full Description

Discover Your Career at Emory University: 
Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community. Description: 
The Division of Advancement and Alumni Engagement utilizes resources, technology, and business for the purpose of constituent engagement, donor research and solicitation, and stewardship throughout Emory University and Health System. Our mission is to inspire and steward meaningful, lasting relationships that elevate engagement and giving to fulfill Emory’s mission to serve humanity. We are currently seeking a Director of Development - Strategy.
 
The Director of Development Strategy position will report to the Associate Vice President of Advancement of Clinical, Research and Alumni Programs.
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 
  • Directs and implements strategies for identifying, cultivating, and successfully soliciting individuals for gifts of $100K - $5M to support education, patient care, and research programs for a department, school, or unit. Solicits gifts of $100K - $5M in support of the school/unit. Manages a portfolio of prospects through an active schedule of solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship calls to donors and new prospects. Builds relationships among prospective donors, alumni, and volunteers to support programs and priorities. Partners with faculty and administrators to align priorities of the school/unit with donor goals/interests. Works with central advancement offices to ensure that potential gift prospects are properly qualified, cultivated, and stewarded. May coordinate or write/produce appropriate fundraising materials including, but not limited to, case statements, brochures, solicitation letters, gift proposals, appreciation letters, donor reports, and campaign status reports. Maintains information on selected donors and prospects including contact reports in CRM system. Communicates in ways that are donor-centric, while furthering the mission of Emory. Travels to meet with donors as needed. 
  • May supervise staff.
  • May manage a budget. 
  • Performs related responsibilities as required.

ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS: In addition to the duties outlined above, the Director may be required to:
  • Creates and directs strategies for engaging, cultivating, and successfully soliciting individuals for gifts of $5M+ to support Clinical, Research and Alumni Programs within Woodruff Health Sciences.
  • Liaison with Emory Healthcare/Medicine leadership faculty and executive administrators to understand and articulate Emory Healthcare and School of Medicine’s top current and burgeoning $5M+ philanthropic priorities.
  • Subject matter expert on $5M+ philanthropic priorities (as above), translates these priorities into donor-facing content (talking points, materials, etc.), partners with gift officers to create individual donor strategies for principal gift prospects in their portfolios, and equips gift officers with tools to have qualification, cultivation, and solicitation conversations.
  • Works with central advancement offices, including Pipeline Optimization and Donor Relations to ensure that potential principal gift prospects are properly qualified, cultivated, and stewarded.
  • May coordinate or write/produce appropriate fundraising materials including, but not limited to, case statements, brochures, solicitation letters, gift proposals, appreciation letters, donor reports, and campaign status reports.
  • Maintains information on selected donors and prospects including contact reports in CRM system. Communicates in ways that are donor-centric, while furthering the mission of Emory.
  • This position requires coming in person two days a week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
  • A bachelor's degree and five years of experience in fundraising or related field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Successful candidates will possess experience as a lead solicitor, closing gifts of $100,000 - $5M from prospects.
  • Prior experience working with comprehensive campaigns, grateful patient fundraising, alumni engagement, or in a university setting.
  • Experience working with various technologies including advanced knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, mass email applications, database and project management software, and CRM systems.
  • Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving skills with attention to detail, the ability to work with ambiguity, navigate a complex work environment, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to achieve goals with a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as effective presentation skills.
  • Flexibility to accommodate changing priorities and deadlines.
  • Possess a high level of professionalism and commitment to confidentiality with sound judgment and discretion.

NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs. Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee. Additional Details: 
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
 
Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at accessibility@emory.edu or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.