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Overview
Yale University seeks an experienced and successful manager to join the university’s division of Alumni Affairs and Development. Yale’s annual fund programs, including Yale College, Yale Parents, and the Graduate School and Professional Schools, play a vital role in raising unrestricted funds that support the university’s fundamental priorities. These priorities encompass financial aid, the enhancement of student life, and the advancement of teaching and research. As a senior leader within the Alumni Fund team, the Deputy Director offers strategic leadership and guidance to a dedicated team charged with advancing fundraising and engagement efforts throughout Yale’s annual fund programs. This position is not only a frontline fundraiser but also oversees both staff and volunteers, ensuring that projects and priorities are managed effectively to increase donor participation and provide essential support for the university’s core needs. Reporting directly to the Managing Director of the Yale Alumni Fund, the Deputy Director works collaboratively across the institution, acting as a resource for team members and campus partners. This collaborative approach helps foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, which is crucial for sustaining and enhancing engagement and fundraising outcomes among students, alumni, and parents. The ideal candidate for this role will have a proven track record in fundraising, effective staff management, and demonstrated success as a collaborative leader. The Yale Alumni Fund serves as an integral part of Yale University's For Humanity Campaign, a university-wide fundraising initiative designed to address pressing global challenges. This campaign is scheduled to conclude in June 2026.
Required Skills and Abilities
1. Proven ability to mentor and guide staff to collaborate with colleagues and execute immediate strategies and long-term projects. Experience in leading, coaching and motivating other professionals. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
2. Proven track record in fundraising. Demonstrated accomplishment in managing or executing a wide range of solicitation, marketing, or stewardship activities.
3. Possesses excellent written, oral and presentation skills. Experience synthesizing and prioritizing information from a wide array of sources while maintaining attention to detail and effectively managing workflow.
4. Excellent organizational and analytical skills and the ability to improve business practices and processes.
5. Proactive, productive team contributor with a positive attitude.
6. Possesses initiative, creativity, a data-driven work ethic, and willingness to take personal responsibility for outcomes. Results-oriented, driven to succeed, innovative, and inspired by challenging goals.
Principal Responsibilities
1. Directs and grows a team of development professionals responsible for generating an increased volume of successful development activities and establishing a culture that encourages ever- improving levels of performance and responsiveness to donors. 2. Works closely with senior management to develop both short- and long-term fundraising goals and strategies. 3. Works with staff to develop and implement plans to carry out the organization's goals and strategies, including establishing specific activity goals for all phases of the donor/prospect life- cycle (cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship). 4. Manages engagement of faculty, administrators, and University officials in fundraising efforts. 5. Personally maintains a portfolio of gift prospects. 6. Works regularly and cooperatively with other development offices to ensure overall development priorities, plans, and initiatives are coordinated. 7. May travel (possibly extensively) commensurate with Yale’s standard expectations for fundraising activity, contact and travel. 8. Performs additional development-related activities/efforts at the request of manager. 9. May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience Bachelor’s Degree and six or more years of related work experience in an academic institution or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in managing/leading a team of fundraising professionals in an academic setting is preferred.
Required License(s) or Certification(s) Valid driver’s license required.
Physical Requirements Physical Requirements:
Job Posting Date
05/14/2026
Job Category
Manager
Bargaining Unit
NON
Compensation Grade
Development
Compensation Grade Profile
Deputy Director, Major Gifts (Ungraded)
Salary Range
0.00 - 0.00
Time Type
Full time
Duration Type
Staff
Work Model
Hybrid
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
