As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University's eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si' campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change-in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program, and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance, and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu
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To apply
Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted for employment consideration. If you are viewing this job advertisement through a different site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions.
Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.
Position Summary
Sacred Heart University seeks an Executive Director of University Advancement to lead strategy, innovation, and growth within a dynamic, mission-driven, and fast-growing institution. The Executive Director will play a pivotal role in advancing the university's philanthropic vision-driving meaningful engagement, expanding partnerships, and increasing philanthropic investment to support Sacred Heart's academic priorities, student experience, and institutional excellence.
S/he will serve as a chief frontline fundraiser, building and maintaining key relationships with alumni and other key constituencies. The ED will report through the AVP, University Advancement & Philanthropic Campaigns and work directly with Deans, faculty, senior administrators, and University leadership to develop innovative giving opportunities and strengthen a culture of philanthropy across all areas of the university.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
- Build out a robust donor pipeline that focuses on alumni, corporate, high net worth individuals, and foundation donor discovery, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and upgrading.
- Prioritize a combination of face-to-face visits, video conferencing, and phone communication with qualified alumni, corporate, high net worth individuals, and foundation prospects.
- Engage senior leadership, including deans, in key donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
- Build, manage and lead a portfolio of 162+ alumni high net worth individual, corporate, and foundation prospects.
- Within UA leadership, support the Deans of College of Health Professions and the Davis & Henley College of Nursing in identifying and developing strategic funding needs for each College.
- In concert with the Deans of the College of Health Professions and the Davis & Henley College of Nursing, create and lead a college-based health and business leaders advisory board with all constituencies represented.
- Report regular progress against strategic and operational goals, including donor engagement and stewardship touchpoints, revenue and moves management targets, and pipeline management details.
- Draft letters, proposals, reports, case materials, briefings, acknowledgments, and other appropriate materials in support of the advancement program.
- Be creative, proactive, and proactive with new ideas of potential funders, whether they are corporate, foundation, or individuals.
- Represent the University at events and constituent gatherings as appropriate
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Vice President of University Advancement and the Associate Vice President of University Advancement & Philanthropic Campaigns
- Other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Others Attributes
- Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred.
- At least 5-8 years of demonstrated successful fundraising experience (preferably in a higher education setting).
- Success implementing a long-term fundraising strategy that is donor-centered.
- Experience building a major gifts program in a school or college setting.
- Success supporting and managing organizational leadership in donor cultivation and solicitation.
- Ability to conceptualize and describe funding needs in a way that is compelling to prospects, donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
- Evidence of successful oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines.
- Knowledge of Blackbaud's Raisers Edge is a plus.
Unusual Working Conditions
- Extensive travel
- Will be required to work additional hours, some nights and weekends.
This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.
Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.
