Executive Director of Development

About the role

One school. Two campuses. One team. Lead the philanthropy behind public and environmental affairs at Indiana University.

The Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs was the first school in the nation to bring public affairs and environmental science together, and it remains the largest of its kind. Criminal justice, public administration, nonprofit management, environmental science, urban affairs, health policy, arts management, even atmospheric chemistry: O'Neill's work reaches nearly every issue people care about, so its story fits into nearly every donor conversation.

As Executive Director of Development, you will set the strategic direction for a comprehensive advancement program, including major and principal gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, planned giving, alumni engagement, and stewardship. You will report to the Associate Vice President of Development, with a dual reporting line to the Dean, and you will drive the momentum that carries O'Neill's goals within IU's Never Daunted campaign.

You will raise funds for one school, across two campuses, with one team. Your presence on both campuses matters, and you will determine your distribution of time between the two locations in consultation with the Dean.

You will lead every conversation with the school as a whole, then connect each donor's passion to the moment, whether that is equitable health policy, environmental stewardship, or a new initiative on one of the campuses. Much of your focus will land on students: scholarships and fellowships, and industry-engaged experiential learning that builds career readiness.

Just as importantly, you will look well beyond the alumni base to community partners, civic leaders, and champions who had no IU ties until they discovered O'Neill.

This role suits a collaborative, adaptable leader who is energized by complexity. You will partner closely with the Dean, work alongside school leaders in Bloomington and Indianapolis who guide programs and scholarships, and engage faculty, knowing when to collaborate and when to clear the path. You will navigate a school without traditional departmental structures with curiosity and skill, and you will stay steady through change.

If you know how to turn conviction into philanthropy, build a team that wins together, and help donors see themselves in the work of public and environmental affairs, we invite you to lead this next chapter at O'Neill.

Knowledge/skills/abilities Required

• Prior experience in a large, complex, matrixed environment, including evidence of effective strategic planning and implementation of action plans;
• Significant leadership and management experience supervising development professionals and support staff and interacting with academic and administrative leaders;
• Ability to handle multiple demands and/or manage complex and competing priorities;
• Experience related to all aspects of planning and successfully executing large fundraising campaigns including working with academic leaders and preparing transformative and complex gift proposals;
• Possess an ability to work comfortably within an academic environment that possesses many competing interests, priorities, and opinions;
• Proven analytical skills - proficiency at framing and solving complex problems, proficiency in using large databases (e.g., standard fundraising data) to setting goals and identifying opportunities for improvement particularly as it relates to gift officer performance and staff performance;
• Excellent knowledge of fundraising with a general knowledge of marketing, and communications, as well as demonstrated skills in major and planned gift solicitation and experience with major gift prospect management systems;
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering collaboration across advancement disciplines;
• Success developing authentic relationships with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders;
• Apply critical thinking to analyze and interpret information and/or data;
• Use discretion and maintain privacy, confidentiality or anonymity;
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite
• Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills (able to tailor communications to multiple audiences such as the Dean, major donors, advisory boards, and university leadership). Precision, timeliness, clarity, and accuracy in written communication are vital.

Education/experience

• A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is highly preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years' experience in fundraising or relevant experience in complex organization including proven success in major gift development work. Combinations of related education and experience may be considered.
• Previous supervisor experience strongly preferred.

Additional Information

This position will be posted through at least November 15th, 2026. Interviews will begin promptly for qualified candidates. We highly encourage a cover letter as part of your application.