Executive Director of Development, College of Engineering

Overview

Serves as the leading fundraising and solicitation officer for the College of Engineering & Computing (CEC). Provides strategic and operational leadership in the development, implementation, management, and growth of a comprehensive fundraising program aligned with CEC's mission, vision, campaign priorities, and long-term goals. Works closely with University Advancement leadership and the Dean to establish and execute annual and multi-year fundraising goals, including leadership and principal gift($500K+) and directs all development, stewardship, board management oversight, corporate engagement, and alumni relations activities for the College.

The Executive Director (ED) develops and maintains effective, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, corporate partners, foundations, donors, alumni, and University Advancement colleagues. The ED manages the College's development team, leads strategic fundraising initiatives, and proactively cultivates a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects to secure philanthropic support for CEC's academic, research, and student-success priorities.

• Develops, leads, and executes a comprehensive strategic plan for fundraising, corporate relations, stewardship, Dean's Leadership board management oversight, and alumni engagement for the College of Engineering & Computing (CEC). Establishes long-term strategies that align philanthropic opportunities with the College's academic, research, and student success priorities. Regularly evaluates progress, adjusts goals, and communicates strategy to leadership and stakeholders.
• Assesses, prioritizes, and articulates CEC's funding needs in collaboration with the Dean, department chairs, faculty, and University partners. Develops compelling cases for support across research, innovation, student programs, capital projects, and emerging technology initiatives. Ensures that fundraising strategies reflect current trends in engineering, computing, workforce development, and global industry advancements.
• Develops, plans, and implements multi-channel strategies to secure philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, government partners, and foundations. Leads the full lifecycle of fundraising activities including identification, cultivation, proposal development, solicitation, closing, and stewardship at major and principal gift levels.
• Proactively manages a personal portfolio of major, and principal gift prospects. Develops customized cultivation strategies, conducts discovery visits, and maintains a rigorous schedule of donor meetings. Travels locally, nationally, and internationally to engage donors, cultivate partnerships, and solicit gifts.
• Leads the development and execution of CECs campaign activities, ensuring alignment with University-wide campaign priorities. Oversees all campaign planning, timelines, reporting, prospect strategies, and donor engagement initiatives tied to campaign goals.
• Collaborates with University Advancement, FIU Foundation leadership, FIU Alumni Association, President
  ¿ s Council, Foundation Board, and internal stakeholders to create coordinated fundraising strategies, improve donor pipeline development, and elevate the College
  ¿ s philanthropic visibility.
• Provides strategic guidance and coaching to the Dean, department chairs, faculty, and senior leaders on donor engagement, corporate relations, external partnerships, stewardship, and fundraising opportunities. Prepares briefing materials, talking points, presentations, and proposals for leadership to use in donor and partner interactions.
• Oversees stewardship, recognition, and donor relations programs for the College. Ensures timely, accurate, and strategic acknowledgement of gifts; manages pledge tracking; and ensures proper use, reporting, and compliance of donor funds, including scholarships and endowed gifts.
• Leads strategy development to expand, deepen, and institutionalize corporate and industry partnerships in engineering, computing, and technology sectors. Identifies potential partners aligned with CEC strengths such as AI, cybersecurity, robotics,…