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Case Western Reserve University

Senior Director of National Development

🇺🇸 Hybrid - US 🕑 Full-Time 💰 $83K - $105K 💻 Development & Advancement 🗓️ September 16th, 2026

Edtech.com's Summary

Case Western Reserve University is hiring a Senior Director of National Development. The role involves leading the university's fundraising efforts by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts ranging from $250,000 to $500,000, while managing a team of national development gift officers to maximize donor engagement and philanthropic support through strategic initiatives.

Highlights
  • Lead and manage a portfolio of major giving prospects with donation potentials of $250,000 to $500,000.
  • Develop and execute strategic cultivation and solicitation plans to maximize philanthropic contributions.
  • Supervise a team of three directors of development and one development coordinator.
  • Collaborate closely with university leadership including the president's office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, and faculty.
  • Requires 7+ years of experience in higher education development with a successful record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn new software, including AI tools and technologies.
  • Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills with demonstrated ability to work face-to-face with donors and colleagues.
  • Salary range: $82,862 to $104,821 based on qualifications and experience.
  • Regular travel and occasional nights and weekends required; hybrid work arrangement available up to two remote days per week.

Senior Director of National Development Full Description

Senior Director of National Development

Job ID
14792
Location
Case Main Campus
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $82,862 and $104,821, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data. 

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The senior director of national development has a primary responsibility for providing leadership in implementing university fundraising initiatives. The incumbent raises major gifts ($250,000 to $500,000) and provides strategic oversight and management of the university's national development program. This position will require direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with the expectation that they will be traveling off campus for much of this function. 

The senior director supervises a team of national development gift officers. As part of the university development team, the incumbent will be expected to work collegially, and in partnership, with central and school-based colleagues. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  1. Develop and manage portfolio of high potential major giving prospects with giving potential in the range of $250,000 to $500,000. Develop and implement strategic cultivation, solicitation and/or engagement strategies for each prospect to maximize major gifts to the university. (60%)
  2. Implement the university's national development strategy aimed to maximize the lifetime engagement and philanthropic support of Case Western Reserve University's most affluent donors and families. Supervise a team of national development gift officers. Suggest areas of focus for leadership travel and prepare individuals for major and leadership gift solicitation. (40%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with the vice president, executive director, senior directors, directors, development associates and other department and university relations and development staff as required to perform essential functions.

University: Daily contact with the president's office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.

External: Contact with trustees, alumni, donors, friends of the university, vendors and volunteers as required to perform essential functions.

Students: Contact with students as required to perform essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervising a staff of three directors of development and one development coordinator.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 7 or more years of progressive professional experience in higher education administration, external relations, development, or related fields and a successful track record of closing six and seven figure major and leadership gifts.

Education: Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

  1. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with all levels of staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and prospective donors.
  2. Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors at the major and leadership gifts level. 
  3. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
  4. Demonstrated success implementing successful projects or initiatives with clear goals and objectives.
  5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  6. Strong interpersonal skills.
  7. Effective presentation skills.
  8. Demonstrated ability in organizing and managing volunteer organizations.
  9. Knowledge of the issues and opportunities facing higher education. 
  10. Ability to deal with issues and cultures throughout the nation and beyond.
  11. Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
  12. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
  13. Ability to demonstrate history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
  14. Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment, occasional nights, and weekend hours. Regular travel required.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of  Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.