Apply now Job No: 503402
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Dayton, OH
Category: University Staff
Department: Major Gifts - 300110
Pay Grade: B - Exempt
Advertised: March 16, 2026
Applications close: April 01, 2026
Position Summary:
The University of Dayton is a top-tier Catholic, Marianist research university offering academic programs from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. Our mission is to educate the whole person and link learning and scholarship with leadership and service. University Advancement promotes a culture of philanthropy, volunteer engagement, and lifelong relationships in support of the University’s mission. As we wrap up UD's current comprehensive fundraising campaign and transition into the next, we have an exceptional team of passionate, mission-driven Advancement professionals and are looking for an Associate Director, Development to join the Regional Major Gifts Team. This position builds relationships, generates interest, and connects donors with their passions to attract funding for scholarship, experiential learning, state-of-the-art facilities and programs, and faculty-led innovative programming.
The Associate Director, Development position offers an opportunity to join a growing major gift program that is transitioning from a successful comprehensive fundraising campaign, preparing for another, and provides a pathway for professional development. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement and disability benefits; tuition assistance; vacation/sick leave accrual; a flexible work schedule; and holiday pay.
This position reports to the Director of Development and Team Lead, East Region, and is responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of approximately 125 major gift prospects, primarily focused on solicitations of $50,000+ in the East region (from Maine to Florida, and southern states). The position will develop and execute long- and short-range strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, steward, and continually engage assigned prospects to produce a continuous pipeline of donors. The position is expected to close solicitations within the best-practice standard of 18-24 months. The work of the position is accomplished through: the development and maintenance of an astute awareness of social, business, and philanthropic cultures, a comprehensive understanding of the University's priorities and making persuasive verbal and written cases for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific University needs, and serving as an expert liaison for the University of Dayton community. Serving in a collegial, consultative, and cooperative fashion, the position will partner with division, executive, and academic leaders in the strategic planning and execution of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
* Working in collaboration with leadership to move University priorities and objectives forward
* Gathering data and assessing prospects
* Documenting and communicating individual strategies and activity for each assigned prospect
* Representing the University at events that promote engagement and philanthropy
* Providing support to event personnel in the identification and recruitment of attendees
* Demonstrating leadership in the development community
The position is expected to maintain a 50% travel schedule, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
To apply, please submit a cover letter specifically addressing each minimum qualification and applicable preferred qualifications, along with a current resume.
Minimum Qualifications:
* A bachelor's degree.
* Four years of frontline, individual fundraising or related experience (i.e., sales, recruiting, business development).
* Experience working successfully in a goal-oriented and metrics-driven environment.
* Effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
* Ability and willingness to travel via a variety of transport modes (i.e., airplane, car, public transport, etc.) and to manage a 50% travel schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
* A valid driver's license, low-risk driving record, and insurability by the University.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Five or more years of individual frontline fundraising experience.
* Fundraising experience in higher education.
* Fundraising experience in comprehensive, multi-year campaigns.
* Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively with internal and external constituents.
* Experience in using a fundraising database or similar customer relationship management database.
* Ability to promote inclusive excellence in the workplace.
* Demonstrated knowledge of laws, best practices, and philosophy of charitable giving.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
To apply please submit a cover letter addressing each minimum qualification and any applicable preferred qualifications that you meet.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The University does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position.
Closing Statement:
Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.
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