George Washington University
Director of Development, Major Gifts & Principal Gifts
George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Job Overview
Director of Development, Major Gifts and Principal Gifts is a key member of the George Washington University Division of Advancement and the GW Health and Medicine Development team, representing the Schools of Medicine (SMHS), Nursing (SON) and Public Health (SPH). Our goal is to advance GW’s mission of excellence in education, research, scholarship, and patient care. The Division of Advancement is responsible for leading the university’s alumni and fundraising efforts and seeks to promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the university community, including alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations, patients and other friends.
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Development, Health and Medicine, this position works alongside development staff across the division and university to create and execute a sustainable development program that will broaden GW’s base of philanthropic support, particularly for top prospects.
Responsibilities
Works alongside development staff across the division and university to create and execute a sustainable development program that will broaden GW’s base of philanthropic support, particularly for top prospects.
Provides direct support to the dean, administrative leadership, faculty, clinical leaders and central and school based development staff to meet fundraising goals, and build affinity in support of philanthropic priorities.
Responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of up to 125 major gift prospects for their respective school and/or division.
Develops and executes a strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts up to and exceeding $1 million.
Requires one‑on‑one engagement with the portfolio and completes 8–10 monthly prospect visits to pursue this goal.
Collaborates closely with fellow school/unit fundraisers, deans, department heads, faculty and administrative staff of the university to accomplish fundraising goals, in addition to working closely with prospect research and development/alumni relations colleagues in identifying, cultivating, and tracking major gift prospects.
Plays a critical role in developing meaningful connections with alumni, grateful patients, community members, parents, and friends of the school while developing strategies to move them across the donor continuum to result in stronger engagement and philanthropic support (outright major gifts and planned gifts).
Prepares briefing packets for university leadership, collaborates on the development strategy and management within several departments of the college or division in the portfolio, and participates in working group activities within development that advance university fundraising.
Essential for achieving ambitious goals for philanthropic support for faculty support, student support, academic programs, and capital priorities, and handles sensitive and confidential information.
Provides senior leadership and mentorship to other major gifts officers, and may be a member of GW’s central development office or will support one of GW’s ten schools across the university.
Self‑management of personal metrics, including overall goal review in attainment, visits, pledge collection, portfolio moves management, etc.
Stewards assigned donors, including pledge collection and management of endowment funds to ensure appropriate spending and communication to donors.
Performs other 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 6 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree in a relevant area of study plus 4 years of relevant experience. The 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.
Compensation Hiring Range: $120,862.67 – $169,137.25
GW Staff Approach to Pay: How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
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.
Job Details
Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department: University Advancement
Family: Dev & Alumni Relations
Sub‑Family: Major Gifts
Stream: Individual Contributor
Level: Level 4
Full‑Time/Part‑Time: Full‑Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30‑5pm, occasional evenings/weekends
Requires on‑site work: 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: S013957
Job Open Date: 12/12/2025
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.
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Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Development, Health and Medicine, this position works alongside development staff across the division and university to create and execute a sustainable development program that will broaden GW’s base of philanthropic support, particularly for top prospects.
Responsibilities
Works alongside development staff across the division and university to create and execute a sustainable development program that will broaden GW’s base of philanthropic support, particularly for top prospects.
Provides direct support to the dean, administrative leadership, faculty, clinical leaders and central and school based development staff to meet fundraising goals, and build affinity in support of philanthropic priorities.
Responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of up to 125 major gift prospects for their respective school and/or division.
Develops and executes a strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts up to and exceeding $1 million.
Requires one‑on‑one engagement with the portfolio and completes 8–10 monthly prospect visits to pursue this goal.
Collaborates closely with fellow school/unit fundraisers, deans, department heads, faculty and administrative staff of the university to accomplish fundraising goals, in addition to working closely with prospect research and development/alumni relations colleagues in identifying, cultivating, and tracking major gift prospects.
Plays a critical role in developing meaningful connections with alumni, grateful patients, community members, parents, and friends of the school while developing strategies to move them across the donor continuum to result in stronger engagement and philanthropic support (outright major gifts and planned gifts).
Prepares briefing packets for university leadership, collaborates on the development strategy and management within several departments of the college or division in the portfolio, and participates in working group activities within development that advance university fundraising.
Essential for achieving ambitious goals for philanthropic support for faculty support, student support, academic programs, and capital priorities, and handles sensitive and confidential information.
Provides senior leadership and mentorship to other major gifts officers, and may be a member of GW’s central development office or will support one of GW’s ten schools across the university.
Self‑management of personal metrics, including overall goal review in attainment, visits, pledge collection, portfolio moves management, etc.
Stewards assigned donors, including pledge collection and management of endowment funds to ensure appropriate spending and communication to donors.
Performs other 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 6 years of relevant professional experience, or a Master’s degree in a relevant area of study plus 4 years of relevant experience. The 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.
Compensation Hiring Range: $120,862.67 – $169,137.25
GW Staff Approach to Pay: How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
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.
Job Details
Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department: University Advancement
Family: Dev & Alumni Relations
Sub‑Family: Major Gifts
Stream: Individual Contributor
Level: Level 4
Full‑Time/Part‑Time: Full‑Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30‑5pm, occasional evenings/weekends
Requires on‑site work: 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: S013957
Job Open Date: 12/12/2025
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.
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