Executive Director of Development, West Coast Regional Office

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/16

Target hiring range for this position will be between $225,000-$240,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Job Summary:

The Executive Director for Northwestern University's West Coast Office reports to the Associate Vice President for Development in the office of Alumni Relations and Development (ARD). This position provides strategic direction and leadership for the University's advancement efforts in the state of California and manages the West Coast team. This team is responsible for the identification, cultivation and solicitation of principal and major gift prospects for the University in the state of California with a significant focus on San Francisco, East Bay, Marin County, and the San Jose / Palo Alto region as well as the Los Angeles / Orange County / San Diego Area. The Executive Director maintains primary relationship responsibility with Trustees in the region. This position collaborates with staff across ARD, including the three professional schools, to support fundraising and alumni relations goals and engagement for the West Coast.

Evening and weekend hours are required for donor visits and events. Travel within the state of California and along the West Coast as well as to campus in Evanston is required.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Creates and leads a coordinated program of fundraising activities designed to increase the number and level of major and/or principal gifts donors.

• Develops and executes strategies to involve campus leaders, alumni, friends, and volunteers to identify and cultivate new individual, corporate, institutional and/or foundation prospects.

Collaboration

• Reviews and proposes strategic alliances, joint ventures and key collaborations with department and other University partners to identify opportunities to integrate University strategic plan goals.

• Oversees and coaches team members regarding department collaborations with Central Major Gifts, Principal Gifts, University deans, vice presidents and faculty

Prospects and Gifts

• Manages staff, provides leadership, determines and evaluates individual goals, develops and implements training and mentoring, and assigns and monitors coverage of primary areas of focus ensuring that goals and objectives are attained.

• Identifies and personally solicits high-profile, and/or extremely complex major gifts of $100,000+ prospects annually.

• Oversees continuous research, development and up-to-date knowledge on prospects and works with other areas to coordinate contacts.

• Requires travel throughout the region or country.

Events

• Oversees development and management of events and programs designed to expand constituent and participation.

• Reviews and approves event plans and summaries ensuring that overall goals and objectives are attained.

• Works directly with high-level volunteers and donors to ensure that event objectives are met.

• Administration

• Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines for tracking and maintenance of contact and progress reporting.

• Coordinates appointments and prepares materials used by senior management, Board and volunteers for meetings, visits, events or phone calls made to high-profile prospects.

• Oversees administrative support management to ensure effective team success and daily operations.

Administration

• Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines for tracking and maintenance of contact and progress reporting.

  Coordinates appointments and prepares materials used by senior management, Board and volunteers for meetings, visits, events or phone calls made to high-profile prospects.

  Oversees administrative support management to ensure effective team success and daily operations.

Budget

• Strategically manages multiple budgets ensuring to minimize expenses while maximizing return.

Supervisory

• Supervises a team.

• Provides training to staff within or outside of immediate department or division in regard to function and region.

• Leads, coaches, and evaluates performance of direct reports.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Bachelor's degree or 2 years equivalent experience in development function.
• 10 years of development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Provides strategic team leadership that drives clarity, alignment, and high performance.
• Applies advanced analytical thinking to diagnose challenges and inform data-driven decisions.
• Solves complex problems with sound judgment and an enterprise wide perspective.
• Demonstrates strong planning and prioritization skills, ensuring efficient execution in dynamic environments.
• Operates with a global and organizational mindset, considering broader impacts and long-term implications.
• Thrives in fast-paced settings, maintaining focus and composure under pressure.
• Leads confidently through change and ambiguity, fostering adaptability across the team.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.