Director of Development, Neurosciences

Position Summary

University of Virginia Health Development within University Advancement seeks an experienced Director of Development for the Neurosciences. Reporting to the Executive Director, Healthcare Philanthropy, the director will maximize fundraising support for neuroscience research, clinical care programs, and education.

• Lead fundraising for the neurosciences, managing a portfolio of principal and major gift donors and prospects.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy for patient care, research, education and community support missions from diverse prospect populations.
• Manage a growing team of colleagues, including frontline fundraising and administrative support roles.
• Evaluate HIPAA‑compliant patient data to identify major gift prospects and ensure discipline around patient philanthropy processes.
• Implement a transparent donor strategy to advance donors along the development continuum, cultivating new and existing donors to higher levels of support.
• Collaborate with UVA Health Development Office colleagues and the UVAHD Cabinet to align fundraising efforts.
• Build faculty and staff partnerships, promote a culture of philanthropy, and provide training on philanthropic principles and tactics.
• Translate complex scientific research into lay‑person language to enhance communication with donors and prospects.
• Strengthen relationships with UVA neurosciences leadership and key stakeholders, including department chairs, division chiefs, program leaders, and administrative leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least eight years of frontline, major‑gift fundraising experience in a healthcare or academic medical setting.
• Demonstrated success in health fundraising and managing high‑net‑worth relationships.
• Excellent leadership and management skills in a complex environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and efficiency.
• Strong critical‑thinking and problem‑solving abilities.
• Superb oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to travel domestically with occasional evening and weekend work.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Awareness of cultural and political sensitivity; embraces diversity.

• Master’s degree.
• More than eight years of senior gift‑officer experience in academic medicine.
• Experience staffing senior leaders and volunteers in a matrixed organization.
• Track record of initiative, flexibility, and shaping evolving fundraising initiatives.
• Experience developing strategic fundraising plans with ambitious targets and delivering results.
• Prior management experience in an academic medicine fundraising leadership role.
• Proficiency using CRM databases.

Primarily a sedentary job with extensive computer use and occasional travel to attend meetings and programs.

The anticipated hiring range is $130,000 – $145,000 per year, commensurate with education and experience.

• Exempt‑level, benefited position.
• Restricted, contingent on funding availability.
• Hybrid workplace: intermittent office presence in Charlottesville, Virginia; requires secure home‑office environment.
• Preferred candidate lives within a reasonable driving distance of Charlottesville.

Learn more about the University of Virginia and the Charlottesville area.

Application review will begin after November 13, 2025.

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• The position does not consider candidates requiring immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Please apply online by searching for requisition number R0078005. Submit your Resume and Cover Letter as documents. Upload all materials into the designated submission field; applications missing required documents will not receive full consideration.

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third‑party partner during the final interview phase, requiring at least three completed references out of five requested.

• Sandi Hall, Senior Associate Director for Staff Success – eym5wh
• Jon Freeman, HR Recruitment Specialist – jf2sw

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non‑discrimination and equal opportunity employment.