Director of Development

Company: University of La Verne
Location: La Verne
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Summary The Director of Development personally promotes and fosters strategic relationships with individuals, private and community organizations while actively soliciting new major gifts that support the University’s institutional priorities. The incumbent will manage and grow an assigned list of donors and prospects, both local and regional, with a special emphasis on securing major gifts to support the overall mission of the institution. He or she will also be directly responsible for raising funds for other opportunities across the institution when appropriate and as directed by University Advancement leadership. In collaboration with the Associate Vice President, Vice President, President and University leadership, identify, research and secure funding to support major gifts ranging from institutional to departmental funding priorities. He or she will play an active role in helping to research, qualify, contact and cultivate new, mutually-beneficial relationships throughout Inland Southern California, the broader region, and in areas where alumni are located. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree. The successful candidate must have a minimum of three to five years of experience in fundraising, preferably in a higher education setting. He/she should be able to demonstrate successful experience and effectiveness in prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation. The successful candidate must possess excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal and organizational skills; have a strong attention to detail; be goal and results-oriented; self-motivated; and possess the ability to make independent decisions. He/she must be a collaborative and team-oriented individual; demonstrate sound judgment when dealing with a wide range of relationships and situations; and possess the ability to maintain enthusiasm for hard work, changing priorities, and multiple deadlines. He/she must have the ability to interact well with a diverse community of faculty, students, alumni, business leaders, and other external constituents. The successful candidate should demonstrate commitment to the University’s core values of Ethical Reasoning, Service to Community, Lifelong Learning, and Diversity and Inclusivity. A strong comprehension in the fundamental elements of fundraising, including, but not limited to – Prospect research, cold calling, proposal development and solicitations. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree. Working knowledge of Banner, FPM or other advancement software platforms. A comprehensive understanding of the full spectrum of giving ranging from the annual fund, major gifts to planned giving. Direct fundraising experience in a college or university setting.

Keywords: University of La Verne, Ventura , Director of Development, PR / Public Relations , La Verne, California