Title: Senior Director of Advancement

Application Review Date: 10/06/25

Campus Location: Radford City - Main Campus

Job Description

The Senior Director is responsible for providing vision, leadership, and accountability in guiding the assigned college’s advancement efforts. This includes identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual major donors, corporate and foundation partners, alumni, and annual gift supporters. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President and working closely with the Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations, the Senior Director will ensure alignment with institutional goals while fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence within the team.

Key responsibilities include:
- Managing and mentoring a team of advancement professionals to achieve measurable fundraising success.
- Building and maintaining a portfolio of prospects and donors capable of making significant philanthropic investments.
- Developing and implementing strategies to engage alumni, strengthen corporate and - overseeing performance metrics to track progress, drive accountability, and ensure the achievement of fundraising goals.
- Partnering with colleagues across Advancement and Alumni Relations, and the university community to maximize impact and donor engagement.

Required Qualifications

- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with measurable outcomes.
- Analytical and goal-oriented, with experience managing metrics and fundraising performance indicators.
- High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to advancing the mission of higher education.
- Ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to meet with donors and attend events.
- Advanced degree with demonstrated experience in major donor and gift solicitation, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Proven experience in fundraising and in securing philanthropic support from alumni, friends, corporations, and/or foundations.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively within a team-based environment.
- Proficiency with current office software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as development databases such as Raiser’s Edge.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in a higher education setting; experience in development or alumni relations.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Employment Conditions: 

Is this position Grant Funded: No

Is this position restricted: No

Is this position eligible for telework: No

Hours Per Week: 40

Months per Year: 12

Statement of Economic Interest Required: Yes

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Classification: Administrative & Professional Faculty

Normal Work Schedule: 

Employee Classification: Professional - Lecturer

Department: Advancement-MG

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Department Contact Name: Sharon Ratcliffe

Department Contact Phone: 5408316716

Department Contact Email: srratcliffe@radford.edu

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Radford University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, or political affiliation in the administration of its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices.

Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Radford University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years’ of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at Radford.edu/police. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the Radford University Police Department located at 810 East Main Street PO Box 6883, Radford, VA, 24142.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation in the application process please contact the hiring department.

Criminal Background Check Statement

Radford University is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all employees, students, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of our hiring and screening process, we conduct criminal background checks in compliance with Virginia Code § 19.2-389 and other applicable state and federal laws. Successful candidates will be required to have a criminal background check.