George Washington University
Executive Director Development, CCAS
🇺🇸 Hybrid - Washington, DC
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $138K - $200K
💻 Development & Advancement
🗓️ December 16th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
George Washington University is hiring an Executive Director of Development for the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS). The role involves partnering with senior leadership to set fundraising goals, develop creative donor-centric programs, manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, and oversee a team of frontline fundraisers to enhance philanthropic support aligned with university priorities.
Highlights
- Lead fundraising strategy and execution for CCAS in collaboration with the Assistant Vice President of Development.
- Manage and engage 75-80 top major and principal gift prospects through all donor cycle stages.
- Develop sustainable development programs to broaden donor base and revenue streams.
- Oversee and mentor a team of at least two frontline fundraisers, including hiring and performance management.
- Use Advance database system for prospect tracking and management.
- Travel required within the MDV region and designated U.S. territories.
- Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree plus 8 years or Master’s degree plus 6 years of relevant experience; degree must be completed by hire date.
- Preferred experience in higher education institutional advancement, major gift solicitation (six- and seven-figure gifts), and supervisory roles.
- Strong communication and writing skills, with ability to develop and execute gift solicitation strategies.
- Compensation range: $138,128.76 - $200,263.21 annually.
Executive Director Development, CCAS Full Description
Executive Director Development, CCAS
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Posting Details
I. JOB OVERVIEW
Job Description Summary: | The Division of University Advancement (UA) is seeking an Executive Director of Development for the George Washington University Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS). University Advancement is responsible for leading the university’s constituent engagement and fundraising efforts and works to promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the university community, including alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations, patients and other friends. Our goal is to advance GWU’s mission of excellence in education, research, scholarship, and patient care.
Within 42 academic departments and 27 research centers across three schools at GWU’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS), research thrives, critical thinking is endemic, and real-world training go hand-in-hand with learning. The college is the intellectual and creative backbone of the university, a place where the arts, the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences come together to form a nexus of ideas.
The Executive Director of Development will report to the Assistant Vice President of Development and Constituent Engagement at CCAS who is looking for a major gifts officer and fundraising manager who exhibits an enthusiasm and curiosity for fundraising in an arts and sciences environment within a large urban research university.
Responsibilities include: In close partnership with the Assistant Vice President of Development at CCAS, this position employs a data-driven, metric-based approach to set annual and campaign fundraising goals and create and implement sound strategies for increasing revenue for CCAS and UA priorities as directed by the Dean and President, respectively. Develops and executes sustainable and creative development programs that broaden and deepen CCAS’ and GW’s base of support in alignment with college and university priorities while simultaneously being donor-centric. Desires to be part of a cooperative team of development professionals working both within a school-based team and in partnership with colleagues based centrally at DAR including Principal Gifts, Planned Giving, Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, Donor Relations, and Stewardship, Central Initiatives, Family Philanthropy, and Corporate and Foundation Relations to maximize fundraising potential for GWU. Strategically manages and engages a prospect pool of 75-80 of CCAS’ top major and principal gift prospects, along with other prospects as appropriate to ensure progressive movement of donors through the identification, cultivation, proposal, gift-closing, and stewardship stages of the donor cycle. Expected to be an active partner in prospect tracking and management in the Advance database system. Manages and mentors a minimum of two CCAS frontline fundraisers and provides direction and professional development opportunities that allow them to reach their fullest potential as major gift officers. Leads by example. Responsible for all management functions relative to the oversight of these positions including ability to hire (should position(s) become vacant) and responsibility for overseeing performance management. Must be willing to travel both in the MDV region and an assigned U.S. geographic territory.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications: | Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 8 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 6 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications: | Progressive experience in institutional advancement in higher education or a similar complex organizational environment Demonstrated success in cultivating and soliciting gifts at the six and seven figure level. Exceptional communication skills and outstanding writing competences with an attention to details. Experience in prospect management/tracking, developing and executing prospect strategies that have led to successful gift solicitations of $100,000 or more, and previous supervisory responsibilities over a professional staff. Willingness to work as part of a team and collaborate with stakeholders across campus. Flexibility for night and weekend work. Frontline fundraising or frontline fundraiser management training from Plus Delta Partners Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree or higher in the Arts and Sciences desired
Hiring Range | $138,128.76 - $200,263.21
GW Staff Approach to Pay | How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
Within 42 academic departments and 27 research centers across three schools at GWU’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS), research thrives, critical thinking is endemic, and real-world training go hand-in-hand with learning. The college is the intellectual and creative backbone of the university, a place where the arts, the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences come together to form a nexus of ideas.
The Executive Director of Development will report to the Assistant Vice President of Development and Constituent Engagement at CCAS who is looking for a major gifts officer and fundraising manager who exhibits an enthusiasm and curiosity for fundraising in an arts and sciences environment within a large urban research university.
Responsibilities include: In close partnership with the Assistant Vice President of Development at CCAS, this position employs a data-driven, metric-based approach to set annual and campaign fundraising goals and create and implement sound strategies for increasing revenue for CCAS and UA priorities as directed by the Dean and President, respectively. Develops and executes sustainable and creative development programs that broaden and deepen CCAS’ and GW’s base of support in alignment with college and university priorities while simultaneously being donor-centric. Desires to be part of a cooperative team of development professionals working both within a school-based team and in partnership with colleagues based centrally at DAR including Principal Gifts, Planned Giving, Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, Donor Relations, and Stewardship, Central Initiatives, Family Philanthropy, and Corporate and Foundation Relations to maximize fundraising potential for GWU. Strategically manages and engages a prospect pool of 75-80 of CCAS’ top major and principal gift prospects, along with other prospects as appropriate to ensure progressive movement of donors through the identification, cultivation, proposal, gift-closing, and stewardship stages of the donor cycle. Expected to be an active partner in prospect tracking and management in the Advance database system. Manages and mentors a minimum of two CCAS frontline fundraisers and provides direction and professional development opportunities that allow them to reach their fullest potential as major gift officers. Leads by example. Responsible for all management functions relative to the oversight of these positions including ability to hire (should position(s) become vacant) and responsibility for overseeing performance management. Must be willing to travel both in the MDV region and an assigned U.S. geographic territory.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications: | Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 8 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 6 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications: | Progressive experience in institutional advancement in higher education or a similar complex organizational environment Demonstrated success in cultivating and soliciting gifts at the six and seven figure level. Exceptional communication skills and outstanding writing competences with an attention to details. Experience in prospect management/tracking, developing and executing prospect strategies that have led to successful gift solicitations of $100,000 or more, and previous supervisory responsibilities over a professional staff. Willingness to work as part of a team and collaborate with stakeholders across campus. Flexibility for night and weekend work. Frontline fundraising or frontline fundraiser management training from Plus Delta Partners Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree or higher in the Arts and Sciences desired
Hiring Range | $138,128.76 - $200,263.21
GW Staff Approach to Pay | How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
II. JOB DETAILS
Campus Location: | Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department: | University Advancement
Family | Dev & Alumni Relations
Sub-Family | Major Gifts
Stream | Management
Level | Level 3
Full-Time/Part-Time: | Full-Time
Hours Per Week: | 40
Work Schedule: | Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm, Occasional evenings/weekends
Will this job require the employee to work on site? | Yes
Employee Onsite Status | Hybrid
Telework: | Yes
Required Background Check: | Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants: | Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? | No
Posting Number: | S013959
Job Open Date: | 12/15/2025
Job Close Date: |
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until: |
Background Screening | Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement: | The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
College/School/Department: | University Advancement
Family | Dev & Alumni Relations
Sub-Family | Major Gifts
Stream | Management
Level | Level 3
Full-Time/Part-Time: | Full-Time
Hours Per Week: | 40
Work Schedule: | Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm, Occasional evenings/weekends
Will this job require the employee to work on site? | Yes
Employee Onsite Status | Hybrid
Telework: | Yes
Required Background Check: | Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants: | Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? | No
Posting Number: | S013959
Job Open Date: | 12/15/2025
Job Close Date: |
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until: |
Background Screening | Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement: | The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Do you currently work at GW?
- yes
- no
- * For current GW employees, have you completed your Introductory Employment Period (IEP)? (As a reminder, employees in their IEP are not eligible to apply for other internal university staff and research positions until the IEP is complete.)
- Yes, IEP complete
- No, still in IEP
- N/a - not a current GW employee
- * What is your expected salary range?
(Open Ended Question)
Documents needed to Apply
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
Human Resource
Management & Development
Management & Development
2013 H Street, NW, 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-994-8500
Fax: 202-994-9680
Email: askhrmd@gwu.edu
Recognition_Toolkit
Talent@GWLogin
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: 202-994-8500
Fax: 202-994-9680
Email: askhrmd@gwu.edu
Recognition_Toolkit
Talent@GWLogin
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