Executive Director Of Development Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Executive Director of Development roles attract H-1B and O-1 visa sponsorship from universities, nonprofits, and healthcare systems. Most employers require a master's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field, with demonstrated major gifts fundraising experience. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
See All Executive Director Of Development JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 243+ Executive Director Of Development jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 243+ Executive Director Of Development jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Executive Director Of Development roles.
Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
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 donors' 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 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 through outstanding benefits, mental health offerings, and activities. 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.
Job Description
Are you a strategic fundraiser who sees possibilities everywhere, embraces opportunity — and knows how to turn it into game-changing impact? Do you lead with clarity, thrive in complexity, and elevate the performance of those around you? Are you passionate about creating opportunities for students? Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Executive Director of Development to lead philanthropic efforts that directly shape student access, affordability, and success on the Bloomington campus. This is a high-impact senior leadership role focused squarely on major gifts and transformative philanthropy.
The Executive Director of Development, Scholarships & Student Experience, leads fundraising strategy and results across several key campus units: Office of Enrollment Management, Office of Student Life, Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Hutton Honors College, and the Wells Scholars Program. This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Development at the IU Foundation, with a dotted-line relationship to the Senior Executive Advisor to the Chancellor. You will lead and mentor a high-performing team of major gift officers while managing your own robust portfolio. This is a true major gifts leadership role — laser-focused on philanthropy. Stewardship, alumni engagement, and related activities are supported by central services, allowing you to concentrate on raising transformational support in coordination with IU Foundation teams.
This role is ideal for a leader who:
- Confidently manages and advances a major gift portfolio
- Leads fundraisers with empathy, accountability, and high standards
- Thrives in a matrixed environment and builds strong academic partnerships
- Understands scholarship fundraising and aligns donor passions with institutional priorities
- Balances competing priorities while maintaining long-term strategic focus
- Delegates effectively and makes thoughtful, strategic decisions
- Builds authentic relationships with donors, colleagues, staff, and campus leadership
- Unlocks donor potential by connecting passion with purpose
You will navigate complexity with grace, keeping the philanthropic mission at the center of every decision.
Key Responsibilities
The role focuses on providing strategic fundraising leadership by developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies across assigned units, leading major gift efforts, and supporting annual giving and donor relations initiatives. It involves identifying and cultivating high-capacity prospects while creating innovative partnerships and collaborative fundraising opportunities. The position also requires strong team leadership, including managing, mentoring, and developing major gift officers, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence, and modeling the IU Foundation’s values of being mission-driven, collaborative, responsible, and service-oriented. Additionally, the role emphasizes building and sustaining meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and university partners, aligning fundraising priorities with campus leadership, and representing the Foundation with professionalism and strategic insight. Performance expectations include completing 14 major gift solicitations and closing 7 gifts annually, with an annual fundraising goal exceeding $2 million and opportunities for growth.
Qualifications
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust quickly
- Comfort navigating ambiguity and bringing clarity to complex situations
- Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and follow-through
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to work effectively with stakeholders across disciplines and levels
- Experience improving cross-functional processes
- Interest in continuous improvement and practical use of technology
- Adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
- 7+ years of fundraising or related experience within a complex organization
- Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising
- Experience supervising and developing fundraisers strongly preferred
- Ability to work with academic leaders, boards, and senior stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills and CRM proficiency
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining strategic focus
- Experience with scholarship or student life fundraising is a plus
- Higher education experience welcomed but not required
Additional Information
Compensation range: $120,000–$140,000 annually, commensurate with experience. We anticipate a strong candidate pool and will accept applications through April 12. If you are energized by shaping strategy, unlocking donor passion, and advancing student opportunity at scale, we encourage you to apply.
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.
Company Description
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 donors' 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 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 through outstanding benefits, mental health offerings, and activities. 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.
Job Description
Are you a strategic fundraiser who sees possibilities everywhere, embraces opportunity — and knows how to turn it into game-changing impact? Do you lead with clarity, thrive in complexity, and elevate the performance of those around you? Are you passionate about creating opportunities for students? Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Executive Director of Development to lead philanthropic efforts that directly shape student access, affordability, and success on the Bloomington campus. This is a high-impact senior leadership role focused squarely on major gifts and transformative philanthropy.
The Executive Director of Development, Scholarships & Student Experience, leads fundraising strategy and results across several key campus units: Office of Enrollment Management, Office of Student Life, Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Hutton Honors College, and the Wells Scholars Program. This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Development at the IU Foundation, with a dotted-line relationship to the Senior Executive Advisor to the Chancellor. You will lead and mentor a high-performing team of major gift officers while managing your own robust portfolio. This is a true major gifts leadership role — laser-focused on philanthropy. Stewardship, alumni engagement, and related activities are supported by central services, allowing you to concentrate on raising transformational support in coordination with IU Foundation teams.
This role is ideal for a leader who:
- Confidently manages and advances a major gift portfolio
- Leads fundraisers with empathy, accountability, and high standards
- Thrives in a matrixed environment and builds strong academic partnerships
- Understands scholarship fundraising and aligns donor passions with institutional priorities
- Balances competing priorities while maintaining long-term strategic focus
- Delegates effectively and makes thoughtful, strategic decisions
- Builds authentic relationships with donors, colleagues, staff, and campus leadership
- Unlocks donor potential by connecting passion with purpose
You will navigate complexity with grace, keeping the philanthropic mission at the center of every decision.
Key Responsibilities
The role focuses on providing strategic fundraising leadership by developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies across assigned units, leading major gift efforts, and supporting annual giving and donor relations initiatives. It involves identifying and cultivating high-capacity prospects while creating innovative partnerships and collaborative fundraising opportunities. The position also requires strong team leadership, including managing, mentoring, and developing major gift officers, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence, and modeling the IU Foundation’s values of being mission-driven, collaborative, responsible, and service-oriented. Additionally, the role emphasizes building and sustaining meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and university partners, aligning fundraising priorities with campus leadership, and representing the Foundation with professionalism and strategic insight. Performance expectations include completing 14 major gift solicitations and closing 7 gifts annually, with an annual fundraising goal exceeding $2 million and opportunities for growth.
Qualifications
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust quickly
- Comfort navigating ambiguity and bringing clarity to complex situations
- Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and follow-through
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to work effectively with stakeholders across disciplines and levels
- Experience improving cross-functional processes
- Interest in continuous improvement and practical use of technology
- Adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
- 7+ years of fundraising or related experience within a complex organization
- Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising
- Experience supervising and developing fundraisers strongly preferred
- Ability to work with academic leaders, boards, and senior stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills and CRM proficiency
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining strategic focus
- Experience with scholarship or student life fundraising is a plus
- Higher education experience welcomed but not required
Additional Information
Compensation range: $120,000–$140,000 annually, commensurate with experience. We anticipate a strong candidate pool and will accept applications through April 12. If you are energized by shaping strategy, unlocking donor passion, and advancing student opportunity at scale, we encourage you to apply.
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.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Executive Director Of Development
Target mission-driven institutions first
Universities, hospital systems, and large nonprofits sponsor the most Executive Director of Development roles. These organizations have dedicated HR teams experienced with H-1B petitions and are more likely to absorb attorney fees and filing costs on your behalf.
Lead with your fundraising track record
Employers sponsor this role because the returns justify the cost. Quantify your major gifts portfolio, capital campaign results, and donor retention rates upfront. A proven revenue impact makes the sponsorship conversation significantly easier to start.
Understand the specialty occupation argument
USCIS requires H-1B roles to qualify as specialty occupations. For this title, your employer must document that a bachelor's degree in a specific field is a standard industry requirement, not just preferred. A strong job description is critical to approval.
Consider the O-1A if your profile is exceptional
Senior development executives with national recognition, board appointments, major publication credits, or awards may qualify for an O-1A visa. This avoids the H-1B lottery entirely and can be filed year-round without an annual cap.
Negotiate sponsorship before accepting an offer
Raise visa sponsorship during the offer stage, not after. Most institutions are willing to sponsor once they've committed to a candidate. Asking early avoids misaligned expectations and gives HR time to engage immigration counsel before your start date.
Verify your degree equivalency if you studied abroad
USCIS accepts foreign degrees when a credential evaluation confirms U.S. equivalency. If you hold a three-year bachelor's from outside the U.S., a professional evaluation from a NACES-member organization can establish the equivalency needed for your H-1B petition.
Executive Director Of Development jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Executive Director Of Development JobsSee all 243+ Executive Director Of Development jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Executive Director Of Development roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Executive Director of Development roles qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, but the employer must establish that the role meets the specialty occupation standard. USCIS looks for evidence that a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as nonprofit management, public administration, or business, is routinely required for the position. Roles framed around general leadership without a defined degree requirement face higher RFE risk.
What visa types are most common for Executive Director of Development positions?
H-1B is the most common path. Candidates with national recognition in philanthropy, published research, or significant awards may qualify for the O-1A, which has no lottery and no annual cap. Senior professionals transferring within a multinational organization may also explore the L-1A for intracompany managers and executives.
How competitive is H-1B approval for this role?
Approval rates for management and business operations roles have historically exceeded 80% when petitions are properly documented. The greater risk for this title is RFEs challenging specialty occupation status, particularly if the job description is vague about degree requirements. Employers with experienced immigration counsel file significantly stronger petitions.
What degree do I need for an Executive Director of Development visa petition?
Most successful petitions cite a master's degree in nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field. A bachelor's degree may suffice if supported by substantial relevant experience, but USCIS increasingly scrutinizes senior development roles that accept any degree field. Your degree should map directly to the core functions described in the job posting.
Where can I find Executive Director of Development jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates seeking U.S. roles with visa sponsorship. Listings are filtered for sponsorship-willing employers, so you're not sorting through postings that exclude work authorization candidates. Browse open Executive Director of Development positions on Migrate Mate to identify institutions actively hiring internationally.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Executive Director Of Development jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
See which Executive Director Of Development employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Executive Director Of Development Jobs