Executive Director of Development (Commonwealth Honors College)

Company: University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation
Location: Amherst
Posted on: April 7, 2026

Job Description:

About University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation Established in 2003, the University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation (UMAF), a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, exists to raise philanthropic funds in support of the University of Massachusetts Amherst's mission and highest aspirations. Located on the Amherst campus and wholly dedicated to supporting the University's mission, UMAF is a separately governed nonprofit organization with its own health, wellness, and retirement benefits. UMAF serves the University of Massachusetts Amherst community by serving as a best practices resource for fundraising strategy and implementation. About the role Reporting to the Vice President of Development, Matt Carlyon, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) will assume and build out a national portfolio of individuals, corporations, and foundations rated at the major and principal gift levels ($50K-$1M) with likely geographic emphasis on prospects and donors in the Northeast and Florida. In addition to frontline fundraising responsibilities, the CDO will hire and manage a team member focused on donor engagement and annual giving, partner with and guide an active and engaged Advisory Board, and actively pursue collaborations with colleagues across UMAF towards interdisciplinary and thematic giving opportunities that will significantly increase private support. In addition to evergreen priorities within the college for research and endowments, a vital need existsto increase student scholarships. This will provide students who are passionate about learning with the foundation and stimulus they need to create new knowledge, increase their capacity as innovative and independent thinkers, and deepen their facility to develop solutions to pressing problems. The CDO will be expected to create a compelling case for support, create strategic plans, proposals, and marketing materials to advance the development agenda for this College; stretch to close gifts and meet established goals; and initiate joint solicitations with the Vice President of Development and UMAF colleagues, as well as College faculty, staff, and volunteers as appropriate. They will make strategic use of the Dean's time and efforts to advance key relationships and gift discussions, taking the lead in donor strategy and making the ask, identifying and pursuing mutually beneficial relationships, and delivering timely, transparent communication to internal and external constituents. The ideal candidate is relationship-driven and donor-centric with a track record of fundraising success at 6-figure gift levels and above; shows an ability to think and act strategically while exhibiting diplomacy, creativity, and initiative. The CDO demonstrates cultural fluency, empathy, and high emotional intelligence along with the skill needed to handle complex organizational details and project manage a variety of tasks. Location : This is a full-time hybrid position and is open to employees in select US states: Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire. What you'll do Fundraising (60%) * Actively maintain a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and cultivate, solicit and steward them on behalf of the Commonwealth Honors College. * Craft and present proposals for major/principal gift solicitations and prepare other fundraising materials to be used to maximize philanthropy for the College's key strategic priorities. * Ensure continuous progress in moving assigned donors through donor cycle (e.g., qualify, engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward). Document all quality contacts and moves management strategies through the use of the prospect tracking system (Advance). * Collaborate with central advancement such as planned giving, principal gifts, corporate and foundation relations on major gift proposals. * Create and update strategic plans for donors you plan on soliciting. Participate in relationship management teams and contribute to strategic plans associated with key donors. * Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and adhere to the policies and procedures for accepting, recording, and acknowledging gifts. Development Leadership (30%) * In partnership with the Vice President of Development and Dean, plan, implement, and execute the College's campaign goals that complement the University's comprehensive campaign objectives. * In partnership with the Dean, manage the College's Advisory Board. Work closely with board members and other stakeholders to maximize their philanthropy to the College's strategic funding priorities. * Play primary role in managing and tracking specific fundraising initiatives as agreed by the Dean and Vice President of Development in accordance with the University's and the College's strategic plan. * Provide excellent briefing, follow-up, and other support materials that include prospect strategy, meeting objectives, and next steps to the Dean and other university leaders when meeting with assigned prospects. * Provides strategic direction on annual giving and stewardship activities, maintaining a focus on ideal outcomes of collaboration and continuous improvement in donor relations. * Commit to growth on the topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion to consider how to expand inclusivity of projects, relationships, and activities. * In collaboration with the Dean, administer the budget for the College's development activities; ensure efficient use of resources and the completion of reports associated with this fiduciary responsibility. Other Duties as Assigned (10%) ? UMAF is building and growing, and this position will support those efforts with other duties and projects as assigned from time to time. Qualifications * Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. * Minimum eight (8) years of prior experience with face-to-face fundraising in higher education or a similarly complex nonprofit organization with proven success closing 6- and ideally 7-figure gifts. * Ability to quickly gain substantive knowledge and comprehension of the College's programs and initiatives, projects, and activities to effectively present potential giving opportunities to prospective donors and make a compelling case for support. * Affinity for and/or interest in key issues in honors curricula and programs, including access, undergraduate research, co-curricular and experiential learning, residential experience, and service. * Willingness to travel up to 50% of the time, including overnight and occasional weekends. * Evidence of strong interpersonal skills, presentation skills, and demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with various groups of diverse constituencies including college staff and faculty, prospects, donors, executives, volunteer stakeholders, etc. * The maturity, judgment, and respect needed to authentically engage with leaders of corporations and industry. * Ability to problem solve, adapt to change, and successfully manage multiple projects from start to finish. * Must have a valid driver's license, the ability to obtain a driver's license, or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date. Note: We're passionate about building a diverse team. If your experience is close, but not an exact match, please consider applying. Experience comes in many forms, and skills are transferable. We know that diverse teams make better decisions and deliver better results, which is why we're committed to adding new perspectives and encourage everyone to apply. BENEFITS * 20 vacation days, 12 holidays, 12 sick days, 5 personal days, and 2 office closure days. * 4-day summer work week. * 401(k) plan. You contribute 5% and receive a 10% match. * Health insurance packages for medical, dental, and vision. * 16 weeks of paid parental leave to use within 1 year of childbirth. An additional 6 weeks available for the birthing parent. Part-time work for full-time pay for the first 4 weeks post parental leave. * Learn more about our benefits . Proposed Annual Salary Range: $144,000 - $161,000 DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION At the UMass Amherst Foundation, we understand the value that diversity, equity, and inclusion bring to our workplace, our constituents, and our community. We welcome and value diversity in all its forms and recognize that a diverse and inclusive team strengthens our work and advances our mission. We recognize that the benefits of a diverse team are fully realized when people of all races, gender identities, ages, ethnicities, cultural heritages and nationalities; educational backgrounds; religious and political beliefs; sexual orientations; abilities; and socioeconomic and veteran status are valued, respected, and included at every level. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact careers@uma-foundation.org to request accommodation. OUR VALUES Connection - Build meaningful relationships rooted in trust, respect, and belonging. Courage - Show up with integrity, embrace challenges, and lead through uncertainty. Curiosity - Commit to learning—for yourself and others—and create a culture where everyone can thrive. Questions regarding the position or anything else related to careers with UMAF may be directed to the People & Culture team at careers@uma-foundation.org PIfc9cbe2a6288-29400-39813989

Keywords: University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, Burlington , Executive Director of Development (Commonwealth Honors College), Executive , Amherst, North Carolina