Director of Development – Major Gifts

Posted on 08/21/2026

The College Foundation of the University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

Position Summary

The College Foundation of the University of Virginia, which exists to support the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at UVA, is conducting a search for a full-time Director of Development, Major Gifts. The Director of Development, Major Gifts is charged with the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects and donors of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Develop relationships and actively solicit gifts from a portfolio of approximately 125 current and prospective major gift level donors ($ 100,000+)
  • Manage and create personalized strategies around potential gifts ranging from $100,000 to $1+ million, collaborating with colleagues from other areas of the University where appropriate
  • Conduct at least 144 visits annually in assigned territories. Must manage travel expenses in line with an approved travel budget
  • Actively seek leadership-level unrestricted gifts and pledges to the College’s annual fund
  • Prepare proposals, stewardship plans, and other correspondence for prospects, collaborating as necessary with the Dean’s office, Donor Relations, faculty/program administrators, College Foundation board members, Associate Vice President of Development, and the President of the College Foundation
  • Motivate and support regional volunteers for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship calls through individual relationship management
  • Manage a regional board of volunteers with the aim of increasing engagement and support amongst alumni and friends in the region. This includes solicitation of annual fund support, recruiting new members, and facilitating semi-annual meetings
  • Maintain in-depth knowledge of the College’s fundraising priorities, including academic and extra-curricular programs
  • Assist in the identification and collection of pledge payments for donors within portfolio and assigned territories
  • Report and share prospect and donor information and gift progress using the College Foundation and University systems
  • Lead or participate in fundraising team or College Foundation projects aimed at ensuring the overall success of the organization

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Higher education fundraising experience
  • Demonstrated affinity or connection with UVA
  • Working knowledge of additional software utilized by the development office, such as EverTrue, Salesforce, and Tableau

Compensation:

Salary and Bonus opportunity of up to $120,000+ per year.

To apply for this job please visit give.as.virginia.edu.