Careers at Virginia Tech

The Executive Director of Development will lead a comprehensive, integrated advancement program by elevating Virginia Tech’s presidential university initiative of Health Sciences and Technology where world-class biomedical researchers address health challenges that affect millions. This leadership position is key to the ambitious plans Virginia Tech is making to be a leading 21st century land grant university that delivers innovative solutions to the most pressing global challenges of our time.

The Executive Director of Development will be a central figure in taking the Health Sciences and Technology initiative to unparalleled levels of accomplishment by coalescing strategic priorities with a robust development program focused on the areas of: Brain/Neuroscience, Heart/Cardiovascular, Cancer, Metabolism & Obesity with a cross cutting focus on children's health sciences.

S/He will report to the Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology/Executive Director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC with a dotted reporting line to the Associate Vice President for Advancement. This position will be charged with significantly growing fundraising revenues while simultaneously working closely with a dynamic team of advancement professionals who partner together to enhance the brand and stakeholder engagement efforts and the expansion of industry partnerships. The Executive Director of Development, in addition to managing a growing team of fundraisers, will be responsible for a portfolio of high-level individual and organizational prospects who have the capacity to fund life-changing medical research and related initiatives that improve human health and change people’s lives.

The Executive Director of Development will qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward philanthropic support by utilizing internal and external partners to unlock transformational philanthropic investments that expands our clinical, educational and research enterprises located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, DC Metropolitan area and beyond.

The Executive Director of Development will ensure growth and success of the program in a matrixed environment which requires close collaboration with the Office of Sponsored Programs, Virginia Tech Foundation, and Virginia Tech college and unit leadership and their respective advancement teams.

Bachelor's degree and experience, or Master's degree.

Experience in progressively responsible development leadership positions, which includes work in functional areas such as individual giving, institutional giving, planned giving, stewardship, alumni relations, board relations, communications and marketing.

Demonstrated ability to provide management oversight, leadership, and direction with significant supervisory experience, including experience creating and managing a budget.

Experience working within complex organizations is very important, as is the ability to effectively strategize and engage various individual and corporate groups and constituents.

Experience working with volunteer boards. Ability to identify, steward, and motivate volunteers, and supporting them in their various roles.


Demonstrated ability to translate concepts into multi-stakeholder initiatives. Proven skills in strategic thinking with ability to shape messaging in order to move individuals and institutions across the spectrum of prospect development, culminating in solicitations appropriate to organizational priorities and donors interests.


Particular strength in developing a case for support, strategic and complex fundraising plans, and executing against those plans to achieve goals and objectives. Ability to understand and distill complex academic and scientific topics and projects for external audiences.


A natural brand ambassador that effectively builds formal and informal networks inside and outside the organization.

Ability and willingness to travel.

An advanced degree and strong academic credentials that will be credible to donors and alumni are preferred.

Previous experience in the biomedical and health sciences fields.

Previous work experience in higher education, and/or in a hybrid centralized decentralized fundraising model involving multiple units is preferred.

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Regular

November 20, 2024

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Visit the Advancement Website https://advancement.vt.edu/

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.