Santa Clara University is a comprehensive Jesuit university located in Silicon Valley. It offers a rigorous undergraduate education in the arts and sciences, business and engineering, as well as nationally recognized graduate and professional schools in business, law, engineering, pastoral ministries, counseling psychology, education and theology. As California’s oldest operating institution of higher learning, Santa Clara draws on the Jesuits’ more than 450-year tradition of educating the whole person for a life of service and leadership. It is distinctly characterized by a diverse community of scholars, small classes and values-oriented curriculum. Forbes lists Santa Clara in its top 100 “Best U.S. Colleges” and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranks the school 39th for “Best Value in Private Universities.”

The Opportunity

The Executive Director, Major Gifts leads the major gifts program which manages relationships and secures philanthropic support from donors capable of making gifts of $1M and up. This integral leader will also provide strategic direction and support to the newly formed parent giving program. The incumbent will be expected to participate as a member of the development management team in strategic planning, decision making and goal setting to further the University’s strategic priorities, as well as to develop a vision and provide leadership for the major gifts program. S/He will work with members of external relations to create an environment that fosters strategic coordination of overall fundraising efforts and the qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of current and potential donors. A Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible fundraising and development management experience in higher education is required. A Master’s is preferred.