Executive Director, Family Philanthropy (Washington) Job at Howard University, Washington DC

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  • Howard University
  • Washington DC

Job Description

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The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff for fit makes significant contributions to Howard Universitys overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here Is What We Offer

  • Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
  • Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
  • Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
  • Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
  • Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

Job Purpose

To drive Howard Universitys strategy for engaging high-net-worth and influential familiesparticularly those with current studentsin long-term, values-aligned philanthropy. This role builds trust-based relationships, creates personalized giving pathways, and unlocks multi-generational support. By bridging family values with institutional priorities, the Executive Director expands the donor base and strengthens Howards position as a destination for transformative giving.

Supervisory Authority

This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Individual Giving and may have functional oversight of support staff or volunteers involved in family engagement. The role will supervise Planned Giving team members.

Nature And Scope

Serves as the strategic lead for developing major donor relationships with families. Requires collaboration across advancement, admissions, academic leadership, and university administration.

  • Internal Stakeholders include: Development leadership, Gift Officers, Alumni Relations, Admissions, Student Affairs, Advancement Services, Academic Deans, and the Office of the President.
  • External Stakeholders include: High-net-worth and influential families, donors, family foundations, trustees, and the Board of Visitors.

Principal Accountabilities

  • Strategic Relationship Building & Engagement (40%)
  • Design and implement a comprehensive strategy for identifying and engaging high-net-worth and influential families with students currently attending the university
  • Develop and maintain a portfolio anywhere from 6075 high-potential family relationships with capacity for six- and seven-figure gifts
  • Create exclusive networking opportunities, events, and personal touchpoints for families with aligned philanthropic interests
  • Serve and meet as the primary liaison between prominent families and the universitys development office
  • Build strong relationships with high-net-worth and influential families to cultivate major philanthropic opportunities
  • Develop tailored engagement strategies that align family values with university priorities
  • Create opportunities for engagement with the university president, trustees, and Board of Visitors as appropriate
  • Oversee, offer strategic direction, and supervise the planned giving team
  • Fundraising & Philanthropic Gift Cultivation (30%)
  • Identify and cultivate potential donors for major gifts including endowments, scholarships, and capital projects
  • Develop customized giving plans based on family interests and university needs
  • Conduct face-to-face meetings, personalized correspondence, and regular donor engagement touchpoints
  • Prepare and present compelling funding proposals aligned with institutional priorities
  • Implement strategic cultivation techniques informed by best practices in major gift development
  • Foster multi-generational giving and legacy-building opportunities
  • Secure transformational gifts that support university initiatives
  • Collaborate with team members to strengthen knowledge and structure planned giving opportunities
  • Cross-Departmental Collaboration (15%)
  • Partner with Admissions, Student Affairs, alumni Relations and academic leaders to identify key families for engagement
  • Coordinate with faculty and program heads to develop targeted funding opportunities
  • Collaborate with alumni relations to transition family engagement post-graduation
  • Facilitate strategic partnerships between families and university programs
  • Data-Driven Strategy & Outreach Optimization (15%)
  • Develop and implement data-informed strategies to evaluate engagement effectiveness
  • Utilize analytics and wealth screening tools to prioritize and refine family outreach
  • Maintain detailed engagement records and stewardship tracking in CRM systems
  • Provide regular reports on donor activity, performance metrics, and pipeline growth

Core Competencies

  • Relationship Building: Establishes trust with high-net-worth families through authentic, value-aligned engagement
  • Fundraising Strategy: Designs and executes sophisticated cultivation strategies that result in major and transformational gifts
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Builds bridges across institutional departments to create high-impact engagement opportunities
  • Communication & Stewardship: Communicates vision and purpose effectively across a range of family dynamics and institutional priorities
  • Data-Driven Engagement: Uses analytics to inform targeting, track progress, and refine approach
  • Institutional Alignment: Maintains deep understanding of university priorities and philanthropic case for support

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelors degree required; advanced degree preferred
  • 510 years of progressively responsible development experience, preferably in higher education or family philanthropy
  • Proven success in securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individual or family donors
  • Deep understanding of family giving dynamics and multi-generational engagement models
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage sophisticated stakeholders
  • Proficiency in CRM systems and prospect management tools

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Salary range: $160,000 - $180,000 Annually

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Director

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Other
  • Industries

    Higher Education

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Job Tags

Full time, Work at office, Flexible hours, Weekday work,

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