Director of Leadership Giving and Philanthropic Partnerships- AZ-
Development and Alumni Relations
Location: Glendale, AZ · Type: Full time · Posted: 2026-07-24 ·
Reference: DIREC004475
Summary
Midwestern University seeks a dynamic, innovative, and results-oriented
advancement professional to serve as Director of Leadership Giving, Annual
Giving, Stewardship and Philanthropic Partnerships. Reporting to the Vice
President for University Advancement, this position is responsible for
developing and executing revenue-generating philanthropic programs that
strengthen donor engagement, expand donor participation, and build sustainable
support for the University.
The Director leads leadership giving, annual giving, donor stewardship and
recognition programs, donor societies, alumni engagement initiatives,
philanthropic partnerships, and foundational planned giving efforts. The
position serves as a key driver of donor acquisition, retention, and pipeline
development while creating meaningful opportunities that connect alumni,
grateful patients, faculty, staff, parents, friends, corporations,
foundations, and community leaders to Midwestern University's mission.
The Director is responsible for developing and managing a year-round
fundraising and engagement strategy, including Giving Day, Giving Tuesday,
year-end campaigns, leadership giving initiatives, stewardship programs, and
other fundraising activities designed to strengthen participation and
philanthropic support.
The position is accountable for achieving annual fundraising and participation
goals and is expected to contribute at least $1 million annually in
philanthropic revenue through leadership giving, annual giving programs,
philanthropic partnerships, sponsorships, stewardship initiatives, and related
fundraising activities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership Giving, Annual Giving and Pipeline Development
Develop and execute comprehensive leadership and annual giving strategies
that increase donor participation, philanthropic revenue, retention, and
pipeline growth.
Establish and grow a Leadership Giving Program and Presidential Society
that recognize philanthropic leadership, strengthen donor engagement, and
create pathways to major and planned giving.
Design donor engagement strategies that move supporters through the
philanthropic continuum from annual donor to leadership donor, major gift
prospect, and long-term institutional partner.
Manage annual fundraising goals, performance metrics, and revenue
objectives related to leadership giving, annual giving, stewardship,
partnerships, and donor engagement.
Develop strategies to identify, qualify, and transition leadership giving
donors with major gift potential to the Major Gifts team.
Maintain a selective portfolio of leadership giving, corporate,
foundation, and partnership prospects and personally cultivate, solicit,
and steward donors as appropriate.
Partner with University leadership, deans, faculty, clinicians, and
advancement colleagues to advance fundraising priorities and donor
engagement opportunities.
Utilize data, analytics, and emerging technologies to strengthen
fundraising performance, donor engagement, and pipeline development.
Fundraising Strategy, Campaigns and Special Initiatives
Develop and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising calendar that
drives participation, revenue growth, donor retention, and donor
acquisition.
Lead the planning and execution of key fundraising initiatives, including
Giving Day, Giving Tuesday, year-end giving campaigns, leadership giving
initiatives, reunion giving programs, and faculty and staff campaigns.
Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to create integrated
fundraising campaigns utilizing digital, print, social media, video,
email, direct mail, and emerging communication
Develop compelling fundraising themes, donor stories, stewardship
communications, and impact messaging that inspire philanthropic support.
Establish campaign goals, benchmarks, and performance metrics and
implement continuous improvement strategies based on results.
Foster a culture of philanthropy by engaging academic and administrative
leaders as active partners in fundraising and stewardship efforts.
Donor Engagement, Stewardship and Recognition
Lead a comprehensive donor stewardship and recognition program that
demonstrates impact, builds trust, and encourages continued philanthropic
support.
Develop meaningful donor experiences through stewardship, recognition
programs, events, impact reporting, and engagement opportunities.
Oversee donor recognition initiatives, including a new Presidential
Society, leadership giving societies, and legacy giving recognition
programs.
Ensure consistent stewardship standards and donor experiences across
campuses and donor
Alumni Engagement and Volunteer Involvement
Partner closely with Alumni Relations to strengthen alumni engagement and
increase philanthropic
Develop engagement opportunities that connect alumni, students, faculty,
and the University while supporting fundraising objectives.
Collaborate on alumni events, volunteer leadership opportunities, affinity
groups, reunion initiatives, and mentoring programs that strengthen alumni
engagement and philanthropy.
Philanthropic Partnerships and Community Engagement
Develop and strengthen corporate, foundation, sponsorship, and community
partnerships aligned with institutional priorities.
Collaborate with University leadership, faculty, and advancement
colleagues to identify opportunities and develop compelling funding
proposals.
Partner with the Vice President for University Advancement to strengthen
Midwestern University's visibility, reputation, and philanthropic presence
within Arizona, Illinois, and key stakeholder
Represent University Advancement at community, donor, and partnership
events to enhance engagement and support for the University.
Planned Giving and Legacy Engagement
Integrate planned giving strategies into leadership and annual giving
programs to identify and cultivate future legacy donors.
Promote charitable gift planning opportunities through donor
communications, educational outreach, and stewardship initiatives.
Support recognition and engagement efforts for legacy society members and
planned giving donors.
Innovation and Emerging Technologies
Identify and implement innovative fundraising, stewardship, and donor
engagement strategies that improve performance and enhance philanthropic
outcomes.
Explore and leverage artificial intelligence, predictive analytics,
automation, and digital engagement tools to improve donor acquisition,
retention, personalization, and pipeline development.
Monitor emerging trends and best practices in philanthropy, higher
education advancement, and healthcare fundraising.
Additional Responsibilities
Serve as a strategic partner to the Vice President for University
Advancement in advancing fundraising, donor engagement, and philanthropic
growth initiatives.
Represent University Advancement with donors, alumni, volunteers,
community leaders, and philanthropic partners.
Participate in University committees, events, and special initiatives that
support institutional
Maintain awareness of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in
philanthropy, donor engagement, and higher education advancement.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and strategic
goals of Midwestern University and University Advancement.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has supervisory responsibilities.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each
essential duty satisfactorily. Must be able to work in a constant state of
alertness and safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance.
Candidate must have very strong written and verbal communication skills. The
requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or
ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Business
Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Public
Administration, or a related field required.
7-10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in
advancement, fundraising, donor engagement, alumni relations, nonprofit
development, or related fields.
Demonstrated success in annual giving, leadership giving, stewardship,
donor engagement, fundraising program development, or related revenue-
generating activities.
Experience developing and executing multi-channel fundraising campaigns
and donor engagement strategies.
Demonstrated success in increasing donor participation, philanthropic
revenue, donor retention, and pipeline development.
Experience collaborating with senior leadership, faculty, clinicians,
donors, alumni, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
Strong analytical, organizational, project management, communication, and
relationship-building skills.
Experience utilizing fundraising technology, analytics, and reporting
tools to support strategic decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, Business
Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Public
Administration, or a related field.
Experience in higher education, healthcare, academic medicine, health
sciences, or complex nonprofit organizations.
Experience leading Giving Day initiatives, leadership giving programs,
donor societies, stewardship programs, alumni engagement initiatives, or
community partnerships.
Experience establishing donor recognition programs, Presidential
Societies, or leadership giving
Familiarity with artificial intelligence, predictive analytics,
fundraising technologies, and donor engagement platforms.
Experience working with corporate and foundation partners and sponsorship
programs.
Key Attributes
Entrepreneurial and self-directed with the ability to build programs from
concept to execution.
Strategic, innovative, and results-oriented.
Collaborative leader who inspires trust, confidence, and engagement.
Data-informed decision maker with strong judgment and problem-solving
abilities.
Passion for philanthropy, higher education, healthcare, and Midwestern
University's mission.
Computer Skills
Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
Fundraising Database experience required.
Language Skills
Intermediate skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety
rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability
to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively
before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Reasoning Ability
Intermediate skills: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out
instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with
problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Mathematical Ability
Basic skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of
measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to
compute rate, ratio, and percent and to interpret bar graphs.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be
met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this
job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally required
to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The
employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee must
occasionally lift and /or move up to 10 pounds.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of
those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this
job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work
environment is usually moderate.
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides
graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University
has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale,
Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs
in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies,
physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular
perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language
pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time
faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and
development of our students in an environment that encourages learning,
respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary
scholarly activity, and personal growth.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and
vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability
and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare
reimbursement and child/dependent care account. We offer a work life balance
with competitive time off package including paid holiday's, sick/flex days,
personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition
reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft
protection and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us and
we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.
Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer
that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race;
color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex
(including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender
identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability;
citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services;
genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord withall
federal, state and local laws and regulations. Midwestern University complies
with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free
Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the
Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.
