Director, Leadership Annual Giving
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · Posted September 24, 2026
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About the job
Job Purpose Provide vision, leadership and direction for the university’s leadership annual giving program. Responsible for the strategic design, planning and implementation of programs, communications, and strategies to enhance the annual leadership philanthropic support from individual donors, increase donor connection and engagement, and deepen the prospect pipeline for the university’s major gifts program. This position is expected to personally meet ambitious fundraising goals annually, with a specific focus on personally securing gifts between $1,000-$50,000 from individuals. This position reports to the Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Essential Functions (Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.) Essential Functions % Time Provide vision, leadership and direction for the leadership annual giving program. Responsible for the strategic design, planning and implementation of programs, communications, and strategies to enhance annual philanthropic support from individual donors, increase donor connection and engagement, and deepen the prospect pipeline for the university’s major gifts program. Establish organizational plans to meet philanthropy goals, monitor programmatic progress, and oversee a comprehensive program that focuses on continued growth, innovation, and donor retention. 25% Collaborate with school/college/unit directors of major gifts to establish unit-based leadership annual giving targets. Partner with the Director, Prospect Development to develop and achieve pipeline development and prospect qualification goals, regularly tracking progress. Work collaboratively with Advancement Services to develop and implement plans to integrate and leverage new technology to aid in pipeline development. 15% Manage a prospect portfolio to achieve ambitious annual fundraising and contact goals. Establish and implement prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies with a particular focus on securing commitments between $1,000-$50,000. Draft and negotiate gift and pledge documentation ranging from moderate to high complexity. Engage university leadership and school/college/unit colleagues to support prospect strategies, as appropriate. 15% Supervise staff, effectively manage performance to meet individual and team initiatives; foster a collegial and highly productive work environment. Recruit, interview, hire, train, coach, evaluate, and discipline staff. Establish and communicate performance expectations in a manner that motivates and empowers staff to fulfill job duties. Encourage, support, and ensure employee participation in training and development programs. 15% Develop goals and set operational standards for the unit. Conduct periodic review, assess department’s performance, and implement strategic changes and enhancements as needed. Evaluate the success and effectiveness of leadership annual giving efforts through statistical and qualitative analysis. 10% Manage unit's annual expenditure budget. Develop revenue and expense projections, approve expenditures at unit level, and monitor transactions for compliance with university policies and procedures. Establish priorities, determine operating budgets and oversee the related expenditures. 10% Network with outside professional groups and organizations to keep abreast of current industry trends and best practices related to leadership annual giving. Represent the division at industry or community meetings at the request of leadership. 5% Perform other related duties as assigned. 5% WORK CONTEXT This grid characterizes the position scope. Job Reports to: Vice President/AVP/Dean Leadership Accountability: Develops strategic plans and interprets policy Supervisory Accountability: Supervises professionals and non-managers Organizational Accountability: Manages department Financial Accountability: Manages operating budget Customer Accountability: Interfaces with officials and executives Freedom to Act: Sets broad policies and objectives