Careers at Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is seeking an Associate Director of Major Gifts for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM) to solicit philanthropic gifts from grateful clients, alumni, parents, and friends, which align with overall university, college and program strategic priorities. This highly motivated professional will be involved with the planning and implementation of major gift fundraising efforts in support of current operations, endowment, capital, and other priorities from private sources. This individual will fulfill the duties under the direction of the Assistant Dean for Advancement for the VMCVM in close cooperation with overall leadership of the university's central advancement office.

Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, the Associate Director of Major Gifts will:
- Assist with fundraising activities for VMCVM, and university programs within designated time frames.
- Travel, on average, five to eight days per month to cultivate, solicit, steward, and identify prospects.
- Have a portfolio of between 100 to 125 prospects.
- Have typical solicitation ranges of $100,000 to $1,000,000+.
- Close $2,000,000 per year using a three-year rolling average.
- Make 15 asks at major gift level and close 12 gifts at major gift level.
- Develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies, which include building, managing and soliciting a portfolio of major gift prospects.
- Establish strong working relationships with other central advancement, collegiate, unit, and constituent development officers and staff to foster a productive work environment.

Regional and national travel is required for the purposes of conducting field research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, which may include overnights and weekends. The associate director must have the ability and willingness to travel utilizing standard, commercial, and/or personal modes of transportation. Additionally, the ability to work nights and weekends, and participation in college or university programs when possible is necessary.

Master's degree or Bachelor's with significant experience.

Demonstrated experience in fundraising, sales/marketing, advertising, public relations, communications, or a related field.

Demonstrated professionalism, with strong communication skills and the capability of motivating volunteers as well as donors.

Self-motivated and have the ability to work as a team member in a complex organization.

Willingness to travel on a frequent basis.

Demonstrated successful track record in fundraising.

Experience in higher education fundraising.

Proven success in building productive, relationships with senior administrators, key business leaders, faculty, staff, institutional boards, volunteers, and/or donors.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

$65,000 to $70,000

40+

September 21, 2025

Unable to Sponsor Work Visas.

Safe driving record.

Routine Travel or Telework – (50% or more travel).

Uncommon Work Schedule – (Rotating Shifts, Weekend, Nights).

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

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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 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.