Executive Director, Advancement

About the role

The Executive Director, Advancement leads a multidisciplinary advancement team to drive major and principal gifts for Northeastern University. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President of Development, the role blends strategic fundraising, team leadership, and collaboration across colleges and campuses.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of 80+ high‑value prospects, targeting gifts of $500K‑$5M.
• Manage a small team of advancement professionals, overseeing hiring, training, performance evaluation, and daily guidance.
• Collaborate with academic leaders and global advancement colleagues to identify new prospects and create interdisciplinary fundraising programs.
• Track donor interactions and progress using the Ascend database, producing regular reports for senior leadership.

Required profile

• 8+ years of progressive major‑gifts fundraising experience, preferably in higher education.
• Proven record of securing principal and major gifts and leading teams to meet ambitious revenue goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with donors, trustees, deans, faculty, and staff.
• Willingness to travel up to 60% of the time, including frequent in‑person donor visits.

Required skills

• Experience with donor management software (Ascend) for data entry, reporting, and portfolio management.
• Data‑driven mindset with ability to analyze fundraising metrics and adjust strategies accordingly.

What we offer

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, tuition assistance, and retirement plans.
• Competitive salary range of $157,130 – $227,840 annually, based on experience and qualifications.