Job description
Position Title: Assistant Dean of Development, School of Public Affairs
Reports to: Assistant Vice President, Development
Position: Full-Time, Hybrid, 2- 3 days a week on campus. Exempt
Location: Washington, D.C.; Maryland; Virginia.
Travel: This position requires regular travel, and out of area travel approximately 25-40% of the time.
Salary: $155,000 - 175,000 annually
About American University
“We are a University of strivers and dreamers, activists and artists, scholars and servant-leaders. We realize that when we all contribute, we all succeed. We are, quite literally, one AU.” – President Sylvia Burwell
American University is a student-centered research institution in Washington, DC, with highly ranked schools and colleges, internationally renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Our students distinguish themselves with their service, leadership, and ability to rethink global and domestic challenges and opportunities.
At AU passion becomes action; students actively engage in the world around them; and the leaders of today train the leaders of tomorrow.
We are looking for candidates who reflect the diversity of our student body. At AU, we are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. American University was founded to respond to the needs of a changing world, with a set of guiding values—diversity, equity, and inclusion. AU cannot be excellent without being truly inclusive, and without taking the concrete, specific steps to improve our campus climate.
BIPOC, LGBTQ+, immigrants, multilingual, mature or differently abled candidates, and people of all faiths or none at all are encouraged to apply.
About Change Can’t Wait: The Campaign for American University
With a $500 million goal, Change Can’t Wait will create transformative educational opportunities for students, advance research with impact, and build stronger communities locally, nationally, and globally. Why us? Changemaking is in our DNA. Why now? We know change can’t wait.
Find out more about the campaign here.
The Role
The Assistant Dean of Development is the lead fundraiser for the School of Public Affairs (SPA) at American University. This person works closely with both the University Advancement team and the Dean of SPA to design and lead fundraising efforts that support the school’s top priorities.
A major part of the role is focused on securing large gifts—typically between $100,000 and $1 million or more. The Assistant Dean also partners with other fundraising teams across the university, including those focused on annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, and parent giving.
As a member of the Dean’s leadership team, the Assistant Dean helps ensure that fundraising efforts align with the school’s academic programs and strategic vision. They also serve as a key representative of SPA—building strong relationships with alumni, donors, and other supporters.
The Assistant Dean leads a small development team and works closely with the Director of Development. Together, they manage donor outreach, events, alumni engagement, and stewardship activities. They also help guide the SPA Dean’s Council, a group of volunteer leaders who support the school, by recruiting members, setting meeting agendas, and coordinating communications.
Another important part of the job is helping plan and manage the Dean’s involvement in fundraising—organizing donor meetings, preparing for travel, and ensuring ongoing communication with key supporters.
Essential Functions
Major Gift Fundraising (50%)
Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 major gift prospects. Lead strategy, cultivation, and solicitation efforts to meet or exceed annual fundraising goals.
Dean’s Fundraising Strategy & Council (20%)
Partner with the Dean to plan donor outreach, manage key communications, coordinate travel and events, and lead the strategy for the SPA Dean’s Council.
Team Leadership (20%)
Supervise and support the SPA development team, including the Director of Development and Development Coordinator. Set goals, delegate tasks, and guide strategy for donor engagement and stewardship.
Annual Giving & Communications (5%)
Work with the Annual Giving team to ensure SPA’s messages are current, compelling, and aligned with larger campaigns. Lead development of annual appeals and school-specific content.
Other Duties (5%)
Support Advancement-wide initiatives and other projects as needed.
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 7+ years of fundraising experience, including at least 4 years closing major gifts of $100,000+
- Experience managing staff and working with donor databases
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
Preferred:
- Higher education fundraising experience
- Success with gifts of $500,000+
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Experience working with senior leaders, managing volunteers, and building donor pipelines
Additional Details
- Travel: Local and regional travel required (25–40%). Occasional evenings and weekends.
- Team: Supervises 1–2 direct reports
- Budget Oversight: $35,000+ for events, travel, and publications
- Reporting Structure: Reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development; works closely with the Dean of SPA
AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University’s unique benefit options.
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
American University has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Tanya Henry at [email protected] or visit www.charitysearchgroup.com
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.
