Senior Director, Development- College of Science
Purdue Innovates
Sales & Business Development
Posted on May 30, 2025
*This position is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Only candidates living in the greater Indianapolis area or those willing to relocate will be considered.
Working for the Purdue For Life Foundation offers a unique opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to empowering Purdue University alumni and fostering a lifelong connection to the institution. By joining our team, you'll have the chance to contribute to a mission that supports educational initiatives, scholarships, and programs that positively impact the lives of Purdue students and graduates. The Foundation's commitment to education and community engagement provides a fulfilling work environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and the broader community. Additionally, you'll have access to a network of passionate colleagues and the resources needed to drive positive change, making the Purdue For Life Foundation an inspiring and rewarding place to build your career. Your next giant leap starts here.
Working for the Purdue For Life Foundation offers a unique opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to empowering Purdue University alumni and fostering a lifelong connection to the institution. By joining our team, you'll have the chance to contribute to a mission that supports educational initiatives, scholarships, and programs that positively impact the lives of Purdue students and graduates. The Foundation's commitment to education and community engagement provides a fulfilling work environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and the broader community. Additionally, you'll have access to a network of passionate colleagues and the resources needed to drive positive change, making the Purdue For Life Foundation an inspiring and rewarding place to build your career. Your next giant leap starts here.
- Department
- Development
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Purdue for Life Foundation
- Workplace type
- Hybrid
- Reporting To
Responsibilities
The Purdue for Life Foundation and Purdue University College of Science are seeking a bold and visionary leader to serve as its Senior Director of Development—the lead fundraiser and strategic architect of the College’s philanthropic initiatives. This is a high-impact leadership role with significant visibility and influence, responsible for driving transformational growth and ensuring the College remains at the forefront of scientific research, innovation, and education.
As the lead development officer for the College, the Senior Director holds a key leadership position within both the College and Purdue for Life Foundation. Reporting to the Vice President for Development and working in close collaboration with Dean, the Senior Director will shape and lead a high-performing team of development professionals and oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies. These efforts will focus on securing major and principal gifts in support of core priorities such as faculty excellence, student achievement, groundbreaking research, and strategic capital projects.
This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced development leader to play a defining role in the future of the College of Science, driving forward a culture of philanthropy and innovation. The Senior Director will personally manage a portfolio of top donors and prospects, serve as a trusted advisor to senior academic leaders, and represent the College to its most influential alumni and stakeholders. Candidates will find this position both professionally fulfilling and uniquely positioned for institutional impact at one of the nation’s top public research universities.
Essential Functions:
- Provide leadership to the College of Science Advancement Team, setting strategic priorities to achieve the College and University annual and campaign fundraising goals.
- Work closely with the dean and academic leadership to set fundraising priorities and aligning goals within the 7 departments.
- Prepare proposals and solicit prospects for annual and major gifts in accordance with existing unit and individual metric requirements.
- Orchestrate and execute the advancement of relationships with prospective donors through appropriate stages of qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
- Collaborate with appropriate development and academic staff to develop prospect strategies, build relationships and secure major gifts.
- Set specific objectives to effectively advance toward solicitation of major gifts.
- Ensure appropriate coordination with unit’s corporate and business partners as well as various unit and University constituencies.
- Become familiar with and understand key initiatives of the Unit relating to faculty, students, instruction and research.
- Frequent travel and/or evening and weekend duties are required.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Host or co-host Development-related receptions and other donor events locally and regionally.
- Ensure effective records maintenance, including timely filing of requests for prospect assignments, prospect strategies, proposals, and contact reports using the University’s prospect management system
- Report regularly on the progress toward the Unit’s annual action plan.
- Provide vision and coordination for the Unit’s advancement and communications activities.
- Provide input to communications targeted to donors and prospects.
- Become adept at using available information systems in support of major gift activities.
- Continually improve professional competency through participation in and/or leadership in professional organizations and other not-for profit organizations.
- Administratively supervise development and advancement staff.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
- Knowledge of philanthropy and fundraising principles.
- Strong interpersonal skills are essential.
- Must have excellent communications skills that include the demonstrated ability to communicate well in writing and speaking before large groups.
- The ability to lead teams effectively, and interpret and articulate the mission of Purdue University is needed.
- Must be able to interact with stakeholders from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds.
- Ability to represent the University with tact and diplomacy at all times is required.
- Must have sound judgment, initiative, and ability to collaborate effectively.
- Knowledge of finance, planned giving, engagement, corporate relations and advancement communications is preferred.
- Must have the ability to continuously improve professional competency through participation of professional education opportunities.
- Strong computer skills are necessary including working with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems, working knowledge of MS Office, and familiarity with remote working technologies.
- Ability to lead teams effectively.
- Ability to work in a hybrid work environment with up to 4 days a week in office from the West Lafayette, Indiana campus (not remotely).
- Familiarity with the programs of the College of Science is desired but not required.
Required Education and Benefits
- Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in fund development including solicitation of major gifts and/or related work experience required.
- Experience managing/supervising professional staff strongly preferred.
- Experience in higher education is preferred.
Job Level: Management 4
Benefits Summary for eligible employees:
- 10 paid holidays per year.
- Accrue up to 22 vacation days a year.
- Traditional pre-tax 403(b) and Roth retirement plans available.
- 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan and immediate vesting.
- Health Savings Account- earn up to $450 annually towards medical expenses.
- Employer funded Preventative Dental and Vision insurance.
- Tuition discounts on eligible programs at Purdue University and Purdue Global for qualified employees, spouses, and dependents.
About Purdue for Life Foundation
The Purdue for Life Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Purdue for Life views, evaluates, and treats all persons in all Foundation-related activities solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics. All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, gender, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran.
Purdue for Life will not sponsor employment authorization for this position.
A criminal conviction check and negative controlled substance test are required for employment in this position.
Purdue for Life will not sponsor employment authorization for this position.
A criminal conviction check and negative controlled substance test are required for employment in this position.
Our Hiring Process
Stage 1:
Applied
Stage 2:
Review
Stage 3:
Interview
Stage 4:
Hired
Not quite right? Register your interest to be notified of any roles that come along that meet your criteria.