Are you a high-performer who wants to contribute to a mission-driven and values-based organization? If you are motivated by doing impactful work and making a difference in people’s lives, then the Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is the place for you. At the IUF, we believe in making the dream of higher education attainable, providing support for life-changing research, and preparing the next generation of leaders.

As a trailblazer among our peers, we provide fundraising leadership and endowment stewardship to support needs and initiatives across all of Indiana University’s campuses. As part of our team, you will help make IU donor’s dreams last forever.

At the IUF we work hard, celebrate achievements, and foster an environment where everyone’s contributions matter. We are nimble and innovative, and we want you to bring your ideas and energy to join forces with some of the best talent in our industry.

In addition to being part of a meaningful mission as an IUF employee, you’ll find there are many ways to connect and collaborate. Our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives ensure that our colleagues are celebrated for who they are and have a voice. Our FUNdation (see what we did there?) Committee helps us connect and unwind with food truck lunches, holiday gatherings, costume contests, free snacks, IU spirit-wear Fridays, and spontaneous gestures that surprise and delight. Our Wellness Committee ensures that the health and well-being of our employees is top of mind, offering yoga, a lunchtime walking group, meditation breaks, the Headspace app, and topical workshops. We encourage community leadership and service and make space for our staff to pursue their passions. Our total rewards philosophy ensures that we support employees financially, emotionally, and in their career growth. If the IUF sounds like a fit for you, we invite you to join us today.

About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy:

Our mission is to increase understanding of philanthropy and generosity around the world through multidisciplinary research, transformational education, professional development, professional practices, and active engagement. Our school welcomes changemakers including learners, practitioners, communities, donors, and all who are curious about philanthropy.

We envision a thought-leading community where life-long learners and changemakers connect and challenge one another to improve the world. We believe that the discovery and sharing of indispensable knowledge about philanthropy contribute to a more just and equitable world.

The Indiana University Foundation, in partnership with the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, invites applicants for the Executive Director of Development position.

Reporting to the Vice President of Development with a dotted line to the Dean of Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and leading a small, dedicated team of advancement professionals and support staff, the Executive Director of Development plays an integral role in leading and driving philanthropic engagement and support for the Lilly Family School. This is an exciting time to join the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in a leadership position, as the team begins executing Strategic Plan 2027, further driving an equitable and welcoming community for all constituents to improve the understanding and effectiveness of philanthropy worldwide.

 In concert with the Dean, the Executive Director of Development creates and leads the strategic direction for a comprehensive and coordinated development program that includes all aspects of fundraising, including annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, planned giving, and major and principal gifts with an emphasis on major gift fundraising. The position collaborates closely with the School’s internal resources and IU Foundation services to ensure a comprehensive and donor-centered advancement program.  

The ideal candidate for this important position is eager to take fundraising to the next level, is excited about building relationships with donors, staff, faculty, and key constituents, and is someone who has proven success in building strategic partnerships and engaging in opportunities for new, big ideas. This is a highly collaborative position with plentiful opportunities to engage not only alumni of the school but also community partners and non-alumni throughout the Indianapolis community and beyond. 

Education and Experience Required

• A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in fundraising or relevant experience in a large complex organization including proven success in major gift development work and leadership experience required.
• Minimum 2 years of people management experience required.
• Combinations of related education and experience may be considered.

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Prior experience in a large, complex, matrixed environment, including evidence of effective strategic planning and implementation of action plans;
• Significant leadership and management experience supervising development professionals and support staff and interacting with academic and administrative leaders;
• Ability to handle multiple demands and/or manage complex and competing priorities;
• Experience related to all aspects of planning and successfully executing large fundraising campaigns including working with academic leaders and preparing transformative and complex gift proposals; 
• Possess an ability to work comfortably within an academic environment that possesses many competing interests, priorities, and opinions;
• Proven analytical skills – proficiency at framing and solving complex problems, proficiency in using large databases (e.g., standard fundraising data) to setting goals and identifying opportunities for improvement particularly as it relates to gift officer performance and staff performance;
• An understanding of the importance of, and demonstrated success in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion among staff, donors, and volunteers;
• Excellent knowledge of fundraising with a general knowledge of marketing, and communications, as well as demonstrated skills in major and planned gift solicitation and experience with major gift prospect management systems;
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering collaboration across advancement disciplines;
• Success in developing authentic relationships with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders;
• Apply critical thinking to analyze and interpret information and/or data;
• Use discretion and maintain privacy, confidentiality, or anonymity;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite;
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills (able to tailor communications to multiple audiences such as the Dean, major donors, advisory board, and university leadership). Precision, timeliness, clarity, and accuracy in written communication are vital.

Apply Now

This position will be posted through June 25th,  2023. A cover letter that further highlights your interest in this role and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is highly encouraged.

The salary range for this position is $115,000- $130,000 annually. 

The IUF is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and professional work environment that is free of Discrimination and Harassment. The IUF will not tolerate any form of Discrimination or Harassment based on the Individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by law