Northwestern University · 3 weeks ago
Executive Director of Development, West Coast Regional Office
San Francisco, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$225K/yr - $240K/yr
10+ years expNorthwestern University is seeking an Executive Director for their West Coast Office, responsible for leading fundraising efforts in California. The role involves strategic planning, collaboration with university partners, and managing a team to cultivate major gift prospects.
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Responsibilities
Creates and leads a coordinated program of fundraising activities designed to increase the number and level of major and/or principal gifts donors
Develops and executes strategies to involve campus leaders, alumni, friends, and volunteers to identify and cultivate new individual, corporate, institutional and/or foundation prospects
Reviews and proposes strategic alliances, joint ventures and key collaborations with department and other University partners to identify opportunities to integrate University strategic plan goals
Oversees and coaches team members regarding department collaborations with Central Major Gifts, Principal Gifts, University deans, vice presidents and faculty
Manages staff, provides leadership, determines and evaluates individual goals, develops and implements training and mentoring, and assigns and monitors coverage of primary areas of focus ensuring that goals and objectives are attained
Identifies and personally solicits high-profile, and/or extremely complex major gifts of $100,000+ prospects annually
Oversees continuous research, development and up-to-date knowledge on prospects and works with other areas to coordinate contacts
Oversees development and management of events and programs designed to expand constituent and participation
Reviews and approves event plans and summaries ensuring that overall goals and objectives are attained
Works directly with high-level volunteers and donors to ensure that event objectives are met
Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines for tracking and maintenance of contact and progress reporting
Coordinates appointments and prepares materials used by senior management, Board and volunteers for meetings, visits, events or phone calls made to high-profile prospects
Oversees administrative support management to ensure effective team success and daily operations
Strategically manages multiple budgets ensuring to minimize expenses while maximizing return
Supervises a team
Provides training to staff within or outside of immediate department or division in regard to function and region
Leads, coaches, and evaluates performance of direct reports
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree or 2 years equivalent experience in development function
10 years of development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required
Provides strategic team leadership that drives clarity, alignment, and high performance
Applies advanced analytical thinking to diagnose challenges and inform data-driven decisions
Solves complex problems with sound judgment and an enterprise-wide perspective
Demonstrates strong planning and prioritization skills, ensuring efficient execution in dynamic environments
Operates with a global and organizational mindset, considering broader impacts and long-term implications
Thrives in fast-paced settings, maintaining focus and composure under pressure
Leads confidently through change and ambiguity, fostering adaptability across the team
Benefits
Meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans
Retirement benefits
Tuition discounts
Comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities
Flexible work arrangements
Programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care
Employee career development
Variety of tools and resources for professional potential or continuing formal education
Company
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research and teaching university that offers academic programs across various fields of study. It is a sub-organization of Northwestern Athletics.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Northwestern University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (325)
2024 (308)
2023 (280)
2022 (282)
2021 (184)
2020 (155)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$98.02MKey Investors
National Peanut BoardAdvanced Research Projects Agency for HealthGRAMMY Museum
2024-10-30Grant
2024-10-04Grant· $34M
2023-11-28Grant· $0.02M
Leadership Team
Diego Klabjan
Professor
Henry Bienen
Interim President
Recent News
2026-01-11
Digital Journal
2026-01-11
Company data provided by crunchbase