Job Description

Embry-Riddle: Celebrating 100 Years of Leadership in Aviation and Aerospace

As Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University marks its Centennial, we proudly celebrate 100 years of advancing the future of flight and aerospace education. With vibrant residential campuses in Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ — and a Worldwide network spanning nearly 120 global locations — Embry-Riddle stands as the world’s largest aviation and aerospace university.

For a century, we have led innovation in STEM education, serving more than 30,000 students around the globe. Our cutting-edge programs in Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security, and Space empower the next generation of leaders to shape the future of flight, exploration, and discovery.

As we launch our next century, we remain committed to excellence, innovation, and preparing graduates who will transform industries and redefine what is possible.

The Opportunity

Senior Executive Director of Philanthropy, College of Engineering

Since its inception, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has remained best in class — the unquestioned global leader in aerospace education and a driving force in aviation and aerospace innovation, education, and research. As the largest and most comprehensive institution of its kind, Embry-Riddle was founded in 1926, just 22 years after the Wright brothers’ first powered flight — a 12-second breakthrough that transformed the world and ultimately helped inspire the creation of our University. Today, nearly 100 years later, Embry-Riddle’s legacy of excellence continues to propel us toward even greater achievements.

Embry-Riddle consistently earns Top 10 national rankings across multiple disciplines. Our aerospace engineering programs are routinely recognized among the best in the nation, and the University is annually named a “Best for Veterans” institution. In addition, our online bachelor’s degree programs have ranked first or second nationally for the past eight years, and our professional pilot programs remain the gold standard for aspiring aviators worldwide.

As we experience our Centennial Campaign, there has never been a more exciting time to make your mark on our University’s history. We are seeking a dynamic and seasoned fundraising leader to join the Office of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement in the role of Senior Executive Director, College of Engineering.

Under the leadership of Dean Jim Gregory, the College of Engineering is the nation’s largest educator of aerospace engineers and stands as a beacon of excellence in engineering education. Renowned for its cutting-edge facilities and innovative curriculum, the College offers students a unique blend of practical and theoretical knowledge tailored to the demands of the aerospace industry.

Reporting to the Vice President of Philanthropy and working in close partnership with the Dean of the College, the Senior Executive Director of Development for the College of Engineering will lead the strategic vision for the College’s fundraising efforts. This role will be responsible for cultivating and strengthening relationships with distinguished alumni, industry partners, corporations, and philanthropic foundations to advance the mission and priorities of the College.

This is more than a position — it is an opportunity to serve as a catalyst for transformation, a champion of innovation, and a steward of Embry-Riddle’s enduring legacy. If you are ready to help shape the future of aerospace and engineering education, we invite you to join our team.

Key Responsibilities:

Major Gifts. The Senior Executive Director shall be assigned a portfolio of major prospects and shall conduct discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship within this portfolio. They will engage current and prospective donors through print or electronic correspondence, calls, encounters at events, and, most importantly, individual, face-to-face visits, traveling extensively. The Senior Executive Director will track solicitation/stewardship progress and results in Salesforce, the University’s database, following ERAU’s prospect management guidelines. The Senior Executive Director’s primary objective is to secure gifts for the College of Engineering, though additional opportunities may be pursued to optimize overall giving to the University. A major gift is defined as gifts of $50,000 or more and must be emphasized to achieve annual goals. They will be responsible for developing long-term strategies and tactics for each prospect, implementing them, and collaborating with division colleagues to achieve unit and institutional donor engagement and stewardship goals.

Unit liaison. Coordinate and participate in development activities within the College of Engineering. Participate in leadership meetings to better understand the College’s needs, challenges, and opportunities. Assist in coordinating central advancement efforts in the areas of annual giving, advancement communications, data acquisition, planned giving programming, donor relations, and donor impact reporting associated with the College of Engineering. Build lasting, effective relationships with administrators, faculty, and staff associated within the College and across campus to engage them in philanthropic efforts. Advise the Dean on the institution’s philanthropic policies, practices, schedules, and strategies, as well as general best practices in philanthropy. Ensure a healthy relationship between the College, other units, central advancement, and the University. Effectively deploy the College Dean and their personnel to support the College’s fundraising goals.

Collaboration and Communication. Synthesize complex scientific concepts and programs into donor-friendly and compelling language for proposals. Regularly prepare fundraising outreach/updates/communications on behalf of the campus to ensure robust donor engagement and awareness of the fundraising needs. Stay apprised of upcoming University outreach events to secure new major gift leads. In conjunction with the stewardship and communications team, create written reports for foundations and updates for faculty, craft acknowledgment letters, and respond to requests from faculty, donors, and advancement colleagues. As part of engagement efforts, initiate appropriate contact and develop meaningful and effective development events for donors and prospective donors to showcase unique opportunities for support.

Other duties as assigned and appropriate to rank and mission.

Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle!

• Health Benefits: Experience comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with wellness programs that include preventive care and fitness memberships. Our flexible spending and health savings accounts simplify managing healthcare costs. Join a workplace that prioritizes your health—because your journey to wellness should be rewarding! Buckle up for a healthier, happier you!
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes an annual 6% gift of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution, with no vesting period.
• Generous Time Off: Relax with 18 days of personal leave in your first year. Enjoy 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

Qualifications

Required Education and Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree is required (foreign equivalent or higher). Ten (10) years of full-time fundraising experience in higher education, a complex healthcare system, or a large non-profit. Proven record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major-level ($100,000+) gifts from individual donors. Experience managing numerous priorities and a broad portfolio of donor/client relationships. Experience with Salesforce or comparable donor relationship applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

A master’s degree is preferred. Additional years of fundraising experience in higher education, a large non-profit, or a healthcare institution, experience at an academic or medical center, experience managing volunteers or an advisory board, comfort with high-net-worth individuals, including the ability to maintain confidential information, basic knowledge of planned giving vehicles and techniques, and experience developing a new donor constituency are strongly preferred.

Application process/requirements

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R311362. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include:

• Cover letter
• Full Resume
• Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process)

Current Embry-Riddle employees: Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday.

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry-Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry-Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website.

Embry-Riddle is not seeking assistance from staffing or recruitment agencies. All agencies are directed to contact eraujobs@erau.edu and should not reach out to hiring managers or staff.