Western University of Health Sciences
Senior Director of Development and Research Funding
Western University of Health Sciences, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Posting Details
About WesternU
As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture.
At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others.
Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.
Posting Details
Position Title Senior Director of Development and Research Funding
Position Control Number A03792
Type of Position
Position Status Full-time
Department 5501-External Relations
Campus Western University Campus-Pomona, CA
Position Location California
Job Summary
The Senior Director of Development and Research Funding (Senior DoD) plays a critical leadership role in advancing the philanthropic priorities of Western University of Health Sciences. This position carries primary responsibility for fundraising in the College of Health Sciences, while also providing strategic leadership to secure funding for research initiatives across the University. Reporting to the Vice President of Development and Campaign Strategy (VPD), the Senior DoD is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies that engage individuals, corporations, foundations, and other external partners to generate major gifts, principal gifts, and research funding. The Senior DoD manages a portfolio of top prospects, mentors colleagues in development, and partners with deans, faculty, and University leadership to secure transformative support.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to perform the essential functions of the assigned classification, with or without reasonable accommodation(s), using some other combination of skills and abilities. Necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities are as follows:
Knowledge of:
In-depth knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, alumni engagement, and grant/foundation fundraising. Familiarity with advancement database systems (Raiser's Edge, RENXT, or Banner). Knowledge of federal and institutional regulations relevant to fundraising and research (FERPA, HIPAA). Awareness of CASE standards and professional ethical guidelines. Skills:
Advanced proposal development and grant writing skills for individual and research fundraising. Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal communication abilities. Strong strategic planning, project management, and leadership skills. Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Ability to:
Close major and principal gifts consistently. Lead and collaborate with faculty, deans, and senior administrators. Manage multiple projects and priorities independently. Mentor colleagues and support team success. Uphold confidentiality and ethical standards in all interactions. Represent WesternU with integrity, professionalism, and credibility. Work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders across sectors. Demonstrate a commitment to working for an organization that values and promotes humanism. Required Qualifications
EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree required. EXPERIENCE:
Minimum 6-8 years of progressive fundraising experience, including securing major and principal gifts. Demonstrated success in grant writing and obtaining foundation or private funding for research. Supervisory or mentoring experience in a development office preferred. Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree preferred in a relevant field. Essential Job Duties
Key Responsibilities
College & Individual Giving Fundraising:
Develop and lead fundraising strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects in support of the College of Health Sciences and University priorities. Ensure ambitious fundraising goals are met; prepare compelling proposals for individuals, corporations, and foundations. Expand the individual giving pipeline, enhance corporate philanthropy, and develop initiatives that sustain student success and academic excellence. Partner with college deans and leadership to align institutional needs with donor interests. Recruit, train, and guide volunteers and faculty leaders to participate in advancement efforts and high-level donor solicitations. Monitor progress using Raiser's Edge and uphold WesternU's prospect management and stewardship standards. Key Responsibilities
Donor Relations and Communications:
Represent Western University of Health Sciences in external-facing engagement on behalf of the College as needed with donors, corporate partners, foundations, and other key stakeholders. Collaborate with communications team to develop targeted messaging, proposals, and collateral materials that effectively convey the University's mission and impact to donor audiences. Serve as a passionate advocate for WesternU's mission and priorities during donor meetings, community events, and professional conferences. Maintain a strong understanding of healthcare education trends and research advancements to position WesternU's work effectively with external partners and funders. Ensure that stewardship communications and recognition efforts reflect donor intent and demonstrate the impact of their support. Key Responsibilities
Research-Focused Fundraising:
Provide leadership in securing grants and private philanthropic funding for research initiatives across the University. Collaborate with faculty, research directors, and academic leadership to identify and prioritize research funding opportunities. Cultivate relationships with foundations, corporations, and private funders aligned with WesternU's research strengths. Support faculty in building and stewarding relationships with research donors and partners. Key Responsibilities
Other Duties as Assigned Posting Details Continued
Work Schedule
The working hours will be 8am-5pm with some nights and weekend hours.
Working at WesternU
We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.
We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally, • Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success. • Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment. • Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community. • As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences. • WesternU's core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do. • We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!
Expected Pay Scale
Minimum $130,000.00 Annually
Maximum $160,000.00 Annually
About WesternU
As you take your first step onto a Western University of Health Sciences campus, each path, each person, each structure comes with a transformative story. WesternU is more than the practice of medicine. We are defined by character and culture.
At WesternU, you will discover humanism at the heart of every interaction: a warm welcome, a sincere smile, a positive word, a kind deed, a thoughtful gesture. You will see students work together on case studies; a parade of pets in campus parks; student clubs offering opportunities for career growth and community involvement; and faculty, staff and students designing their future and the future of WesternU. We display a collaborative mindset in how we operate, educate, and serve others.
Although, geographically, we are two campuses - as humanists, we are one: to enhance and extend the quality of life in our communities and achieve excellence in everything we do. We attract diverse, professional faculty, staff and students that thrive in an environment of humanistic health care education. Join our team of faculty and staff and make a difference.
Posting Details
Position Title Senior Director of Development and Research Funding
Position Control Number A03792
Type of Position
Position Status Full-time
Department 5501-External Relations
Campus Western University Campus-Pomona, CA
Position Location California
Job Summary
The Senior Director of Development and Research Funding (Senior DoD) plays a critical leadership role in advancing the philanthropic priorities of Western University of Health Sciences. This position carries primary responsibility for fundraising in the College of Health Sciences, while also providing strategic leadership to secure funding for research initiatives across the University. Reporting to the Vice President of Development and Campaign Strategy (VPD), the Senior DoD is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies that engage individuals, corporations, foundations, and other external partners to generate major gifts, principal gifts, and research funding. The Senior DoD manages a portfolio of top prospects, mentors colleagues in development, and partners with deans, faculty, and University leadership to secure transformative support.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to perform the essential functions of the assigned classification, with or without reasonable accommodation(s), using some other combination of skills and abilities. Necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities are as follows:
Knowledge of:
In-depth knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, alumni engagement, and grant/foundation fundraising. Familiarity with advancement database systems (Raiser's Edge, RENXT, or Banner). Knowledge of federal and institutional regulations relevant to fundraising and research (FERPA, HIPAA). Awareness of CASE standards and professional ethical guidelines. Skills:
Advanced proposal development and grant writing skills for individual and research fundraising. Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal communication abilities. Strong strategic planning, project management, and leadership skills. Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Ability to:
Close major and principal gifts consistently. Lead and collaborate with faculty, deans, and senior administrators. Manage multiple projects and priorities independently. Mentor colleagues and support team success. Uphold confidentiality and ethical standards in all interactions. Represent WesternU with integrity, professionalism, and credibility. Work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders across sectors. Demonstrate a commitment to working for an organization that values and promotes humanism. Required Qualifications
EDUCATION:
Bachelor's degree required. EXPERIENCE:
Minimum 6-8 years of progressive fundraising experience, including securing major and principal gifts. Demonstrated success in grant writing and obtaining foundation or private funding for research. Supervisory or mentoring experience in a development office preferred. Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree preferred in a relevant field. Essential Job Duties
Key Responsibilities
College & Individual Giving Fundraising:
Develop and lead fundraising strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects in support of the College of Health Sciences and University priorities. Ensure ambitious fundraising goals are met; prepare compelling proposals for individuals, corporations, and foundations. Expand the individual giving pipeline, enhance corporate philanthropy, and develop initiatives that sustain student success and academic excellence. Partner with college deans and leadership to align institutional needs with donor interests. Recruit, train, and guide volunteers and faculty leaders to participate in advancement efforts and high-level donor solicitations. Monitor progress using Raiser's Edge and uphold WesternU's prospect management and stewardship standards. Key Responsibilities
Donor Relations and Communications:
Represent Western University of Health Sciences in external-facing engagement on behalf of the College as needed with donors, corporate partners, foundations, and other key stakeholders. Collaborate with communications team to develop targeted messaging, proposals, and collateral materials that effectively convey the University's mission and impact to donor audiences. Serve as a passionate advocate for WesternU's mission and priorities during donor meetings, community events, and professional conferences. Maintain a strong understanding of healthcare education trends and research advancements to position WesternU's work effectively with external partners and funders. Ensure that stewardship communications and recognition efforts reflect donor intent and demonstrate the impact of their support. Key Responsibilities
Research-Focused Fundraising:
Provide leadership in securing grants and private philanthropic funding for research initiatives across the University. Collaborate with faculty, research directors, and academic leadership to identify and prioritize research funding opportunities. Cultivate relationships with foundations, corporations, and private funders aligned with WesternU's research strengths. Support faculty in building and stewarding relationships with research donors and partners. Key Responsibilities
Other Duties as Assigned Posting Details Continued
Work Schedule
The working hours will be 8am-5pm with some nights and weekend hours.
Working at WesternU
We believe in making an impact in the lives of our employees, personally, and professionally. Every employee has different individual and/or family needs. We offer benefits that are both comprehensive and flexible to address your unique needs. We believe work-life harmony is positive and achievable.
We offer competitive salaries, generous paid time off, insurance plans, reimbursements, and retirement benefits. Additionally, • Our faculty, staff, and administrators are 100% focused on student success. • Our University culture creates the context for a nurturing and supportive environment. • Faculty, staff, and students can expect to make deep, personal relationships within the University community. • As a Faculty, Staff, or Student at WesternU, you can focus on work that you love, be your authentic self, and lead to the future with innovation in health sciences. • WesternU's core value of humanism encourages all to bring their whole self in all that they do. • We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, equity, collaboration, and fun at all levels for all people!
Expected Pay Scale
Minimum $130,000.00 Annually
Maximum $160,000.00 Annually