What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Development, CCAS position at The George Washington University?
Posting Details
I. Job Overview
Job Description Summary:
The Director of Development, CCAS is an essential team member in supporting the ambitious, philanthropic goals of the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences ( CCAS ), the largest and oldest school within the George Washington University. The college encompasses 42 academic departments and programs and three affiliated schools.
Aligned to the university’s new strategic framework, CCAS has outlined key priorities to ensure that it remains a vibrant home for liberal arts and sciences education, innovation, and public impact. Philanthropy will play a critical role in this work, ensuring that CCAS has the required resources for faculty support, student support, academic programs, and capital priorities.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, this position will participate in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 120 major gift prospects, including alumni, parents, and friends. The Director of Development will conduct 120-150 prospect visits and submit 12-15 proposals annually, generally ranging from $50K to $1M. In addition to prospect visits within DC, Maryland, and Virginia, monthly travel will also be required to assigned geographic territories. This role should excel in developing meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and friends while implementing strategies to move them across the donor continuum to result in increased and repeat gifts as well as stronger engagement with the university.
The Director of Development, CCAS will serve as the advancement liaison to several academic departments, provide strategic guidance to academic leadership, and support fostering the culture of philanthropy. The position requires close collaboration with fellow school/unit fundraisers, department chairs, and faculty and administrative staff of the university to accomplish fundraising goals.
The Director of Development will also partner with colleagues within the Division of University Advancement ( DUA ), which drives GW’s efforts to build a vibrant and engaged global community dedicated to the university’s continued excellence and impact. This may include working with prospect research, alumni relations, and planned giving teams as well as collaborating on proposals with other frontline fundraisers.
Additional responsibilities include preparation of briefing packets for university leadership, developing or assisting with the creation of letters of support, concept papers, proposals and reports for funders on behalf of individual school/unit and faculty, as well as maintaining proper documentation of fundraising activities in the database (Advance) including strategies, correspondence, visits, proposals, and solicitations. The Director of Development will also staff and/or attend CCAS leadership meetings or other university-wide alumni events.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 6 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree in a relevant area of study plus 4 years of relevant experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
GW Staff Approach to Pay
How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
II. JOB DETAILS
Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department: University Advancement
Family Dev & Alumni Relations
Sub-Family Major Gifts
Stream Individual Contributor
Level Level 4
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, some evenings and weekends
Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes
Employee Onsite Status Hybrid
Telework: Yes
Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? No
Posting Number: S014146
Job Open Date: 04/23/2026
Job Close Date:
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:
Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
I. Job Overview
Job Description Summary:
The Director of Development, CCAS is an essential team member in supporting the ambitious, philanthropic goals of the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences ( CCAS ), the largest and oldest school within the George Washington University. The college encompasses 42 academic departments and programs and three affiliated schools.
Aligned to the university’s new strategic framework, CCAS has outlined key priorities to ensure that it remains a vibrant home for liberal arts and sciences education, innovation, and public impact. Philanthropy will play a critical role in this work, ensuring that CCAS has the required resources for faculty support, student support, academic programs, and capital priorities.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, this position will participate in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 120 major gift prospects, including alumni, parents, and friends. The Director of Development will conduct 120-150 prospect visits and submit 12-15 proposals annually, generally ranging from $50K to $1M. In addition to prospect visits within DC, Maryland, and Virginia, monthly travel will also be required to assigned geographic territories. This role should excel in developing meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and friends while implementing strategies to move them across the donor continuum to result in increased and repeat gifts as well as stronger engagement with the university.
The Director of Development, CCAS will serve as the advancement liaison to several academic departments, provide strategic guidance to academic leadership, and support fostering the culture of philanthropy. The position requires close collaboration with fellow school/unit fundraisers, department chairs, and faculty and administrative staff of the university to accomplish fundraising goals.
The Director of Development will also partner with colleagues within the Division of University Advancement ( DUA ), which drives GW’s efforts to build a vibrant and engaged global community dedicated to the university’s continued excellence and impact. This may include working with prospect research, alumni relations, and planned giving teams as well as collaborating on proposals with other frontline fundraisers.
Additional responsibilities include preparation of briefing packets for university leadership, developing or assisting with the creation of letters of support, concept papers, proposals and reports for funders on behalf of individual school/unit and faculty, as well as maintaining proper documentation of fundraising activities in the database (Advance) including strategies, correspondence, visits, proposals, and solicitations. The Director of Development will also staff and/or attend CCAS leadership meetings or other university-wide alumni events.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 6 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree in a relevant area of study plus 4 years of relevant experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
- Six years of fundraising experience, with a track record of securing major gifts ($50,000 or higher) and experience in relationship management, preferably in a higher education setting.
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal), a high degree of professionalism, flexibility, and the ability to be self-directed and take initiative.
- An advanced degree (preferred)
- Plus Delta Partners frontline fundraiser training (preferred)
GW Staff Approach to Pay
How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
II. JOB DETAILS
Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
College/School/Department: University Advancement
Family Dev & Alumni Relations
Sub-Family Major Gifts
Stream Individual Contributor
Level Level 4
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, some evenings and weekends
Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes
Employee Onsite Status Hybrid
Telework: Yes
Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? No
Posting Number: S014146
Job Open Date: 04/23/2026
Job Close Date:
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:
Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Salary : $120,863 - $169,137