Senior Director, Major Gifts

About the Opportunity

This position will serve as both a senior front-line fundraiser and the chief development strategist for the Northeastern University Oakland Campus working in close partnership with the campus dean and in coordination with the central advancement team. The role will focus on securing major and principal gifts while leading the design and execution of strategic advancement initiatives that elevate NU Oakland’s philanthropic profile and align with institutional priorities.

Fundraising Responsibilities

The position will maintain a portfolio of approximately 50 major and principal gift prospects, with an emphasis on gifts of $500K+ (threshold of $100K). Donors will be primarily based in the Bay Area, with national and select international engagement as needed.

Build, manage, and engage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects (individuals, corporations, and foundations) to secure major and principal gifts in support of Oakland priorities.

Develop and implement tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect, leveraging faculty and leadership engagement where appropriate.

Partner with central advancement colleagues in planned giving, leadership giving, annual giving, and alumni relations to:

• Provide strategic input about Oakland’s priorities and prospect strategies.

• Guide messaging so that communications and solicitations reflect Oakland’s strengths, signature programs, and philanthropic vision.

• Coordinate engagement activities that complement principal and major gift work, creating a cohesive donor experience.

Serve as Oakland’s primary relationship manager for top prospects, providing high-level stewardship that reinforces long-term donor commitment.

Reports to a senior leader in central advancement (TBD) with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the campus dean.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts.

• Experience managing complex projects, strategic volunteer engagement, and donor relationships that require interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Comfort working in an entrepreneurial environment with high levels of autonomy and responsibility.

• Background in higher education, cultural institutions, healthcare, or other complex nonprofits preferred.

Strategic Initiatives & Volunteer Engagement

In addition to portfolio management, this position will serve as Oakland's architect of strategic fundraising initiatives and will guide the engagement of top volunteer leaders to advance philanthropic priorities.

Concept Development with Leadership

• Partner with the Oakland campus dean and faculty/administrative leaders to surface emerging priorities, programmatic needs, and opportunities for investment

• Translate early-stage ideas into compelling philanthropic concepts, including preliminary cases for support, funding priorities, and impact narratives

Interdisciplinary Proposal Leadership

• Coordinate development of proposals that span multiple academic units or disciplines, ensuring alignment with the university's broader mission and campaign themes

• Serve as the primary advancement liaison for complex, cross-campus initiatives, managing timelines, securing institutional buy-in, and ensuring a unified funding strategy

Priority-Setting and Positioning

• Lead the process of assessing and prioritizing Oakland fundraising initiatives, balancing donor interest, academic and infrastructure readiness, and market potential

• Position Oakland's strengths and signature programs for philanthropic support through clear messaging and targeted prospect strategies

Strategic Volunteer Engagement

• Guide strategy for engaging Oakland's top volunteer leaders, including:

  • Founders Society (former Mills College trustees)

  • Mills Institute Leadership Council

  • Other advisory boards or volunteer leadership groups to be developed, e.g. for Mills College Art Museum

• Ensure these volunteer bodies comprise high-capacity donors and prospects and are leveraged effectively for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship

• Collaborate with the dean, campus leaders, and advancement colleagues to set agendas, plan meetings, disseminate communiques, and develop opportunities for volunteers to advocate for and invest in Oakland's priorities

Stakeholder Engagement and Influence

• Convene and facilitate discussions among faculty, administrators, volunteers, and advancement colleagues to move initiatives from concept to solicitation-ready

• Work through influence rather than direct authority to align diverse stakeholders behind shared goals

Opportunity Scanning and Donor Alignment

• Monitor trends, funding opportunities, and philanthropic interests locally, nationally, and internationally that align with Oakland's strengths

• Match high-capacity donors with initiatives that fit both institutional priorities and donor passions, developing bespoke proposals as needed

Campaign and Special Project Integration

• Ensure that Oakland priority initiatives are well-represented in Northeastern campaign efforts

• Drive special fundraising projects or mini-campaigns within Oakland, as appropriate

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.