Senior Director for Development, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

This position plays a critical role in Santa Clara University's efforts to secure resources for its strategic funding priorities and deepen its relationships with alumni and donors. Reporting to the Executive Director for Development, Centers of Distinction, the Senior Director for Development, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics (MCAE), will manage and maintain a portfolio of approximately 125 major gift prospects of alumni, donors, and friends of the Markkula Center. He or she will lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects targeted for gifts between $100,000 and $1,999,999, working closely with senior university administrators and Markkula Center leadership and administration to develop meaningful, donor-centered development strategies.

About the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics is a leading interdisciplinary center dedicated to advancing ethical reflection and practice in contemporary society. Rooted in Santa Clara University’s Jesuit, Catholic tradition, the Center promotes ethical decision-making in service of the common good through scholarship, education, and public engagement. The Center addresses ethical challenges across multiple sectors, including technology, business, government, healthcare, and education, and serves as a bridge between academic research and real-world application. Through its programs, partnerships, and public resources, the Center seeks to develop ethical leaders and foster dialogue on pressing moral issues.

This position is eligible for a flexible work schedule: hybrid - work from the office and home with a 3:2 ratio.

• Lead the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of 125+ high-net-worth prospects, ensuring that each receives regular and strategic contact, including face-to-face visits, phone calls, and email communication. Meet the annual metrics set with the Assistant Vice President for Individual Giving in consultation with the Executive Director of Development.
• Collaborate with Center leaders, academic leaders and other development officers to develop multi-interest proposals and promote organized and strategic outreach to our donors.
• Produce well-written, accurate, and timely follow-up and related correspondence such as comprehensive proposals, related budgets, contact reports, cover and thank you letters, e-mails, reports, and briefings in support of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding assigned prospects.
• Incorporate planned giving alternatives as necessary and appropriate. Coordinate planned giving requests.
• Interact with deans, directors, and/or University administrators in the form of fundraising strategy development, meeting and event attendance, and written briefings as they pertain to assigned prospects and prospect development.
• Track and record activities as they relate to assigned prospects using Blackbaud CRM constituent management software.
• Regularly reports to the Executive Director of Development on personal fundraising performance, including future projections.
• Work with the Executive Director of Development to actively contribute to strategic planning, decision-making, and goal setting to further University Relations strategic priorities.
• Participate as an active member of the Office of Development, sharing information and collaborating with colleagues respectfully and professionally; contributing to a healthy and positive work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Santa Clara University's mission.

Education & Years of Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 8+ years of related professional experience.
• 3+ years of direct major gift fundraising experience. Verifiable track record of raising $1,500,000 and above annually.
• Valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications

• Experienced in university fundraising with a broad knowledge of the principles and practices of major gift fundraising, and a verifiable track record of having secured gifts of $100,000+.