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Director, Major Gifts

Northeastern University

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Posted:

May 29, 2026

Location:

Boston, Massachusetts

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Director, Major Gifts

About the Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

JOB SUMMARY

In keeping with our One Northeastern Advancement structure, this position will serve as both a front-line fundraiser and content strategist for the Northeastern University in related subject areas including but not limited to: engineering, computer science, science, and other disciplines working in close partnership the One Northeastern advancement team and in close partnership with faculty and programmatic leaders. The role will focus on securing major gifts within at least two regions and developing interdisciplinary strategic opportunities for funding that elevate Northeastern's philanthropic profile and align with its priorities. This position reports to an Associate Vice President of Advancement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in securing six-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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

This position is Boston based and is a part of the One Northeastern network, the Director of Major Gifts manages a portfolio of 120 prospects and when necessary partners with One Northeastern colleagues in athletics, gift planning, family philanthropy, leadership giving, annual giving, and alumni relations to develop and support interdisciplinary gift opportunities within the regional structure. The Director of Major Gifts will build, manage, and engage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects in concert with One Northeastern fundraising colleagues to secure major gifts in support of Northeastern's mission.

The position will maintain a portfolio of approximately 120+ major gift prospects, with an emphasis on raising gifts of $250,000-$1M+ (threshold of $100K).
Prospects will be developed with a geographic and subject matter overlay working in partnership with other One Northeastern colleagues as needed.
Develop and implement tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect, leveraging programmatic leadership where appropriate.
Cultivate, solicit, and build alumni, parent, and friend relationships. Strategize with faculty and other colleagues on next steps with prospects. Travel as needed to designated region(s) to build relationships with existing volunteers, prospects, and donors and to solicit gifts in the $250K - $1M+ range.
Empowered by a data-driven mindset and sophisticated prospect management systems, the Director of Major Gifts will discover new prospects, build pipeline to feed gifts at the major gift level, and achieve ambitions fundraising goals.
Work with the regional leadership including the Assistant Vice President for Advancement to create a strategic development plan to advance a portfolio; establish region-based plans for cultivating and soliciting alumni and current parents in targeted region(s); engage faculty strategically with prospects; maintain correspondence; and keep the Assistant Vice President, faculty, and appropriate University administrators apprised of funding opportunities and trends; and achieve annual fund-raising goals and activity (visits, video meetings, calls, proposals, etc.) metrics.
Maintain high-quality development process for active alumni, parent, and friend prospects and donors; create call reports and maintain database system; maintain the data integrity of prospect portfolio using the Development Office data management systems (Ascend); prepare monthly progress prospect reports for the Assistant Vice President; work with Advancement's Stewardship team to ensure that past, present, and future donors are appropriately recognized; including their administration and accounting.
Travel as needed to strategically-identified regions to support prospect identification, cultivation, solicitations, and stewardship.
Achieve annual fundraising goals and activity (visits, video meetings, calls, proposals, etc.) metrics as set by the Associate Vice President.

Position Type

Advancement

Additional Information

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

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

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:
113S

Expected Hiring Range:
$113,865.00 - $165,105.00

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.

To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Boston-MA-Main-Campus/Director--Major-Gifts_R140216-1

Internal Number: 7193003

About Northeastern University

Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in the heart of Boston. Northeastern is a leader in worldwide experiential learning, urban engagement, and interdisciplinary research that meets global and societal needs. Our broad mix of experience-based education programs?our signature cooperative education program, as well as student research, service learning, and global learning?build the connections that enable students to transform their lives. The University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools.

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Director, Major Gifts

Northeastern University

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