West Virginia University Foundation
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, RNI
West Virginia University Foundation, Morgantown, WV, United States
Description
Summary
The Executive Director of Development is the Chief Development Officer for the West Virginia
University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (WVURNI) and a key fundraiser for the WVU
Foundation in the Medical Development Office on the Health Sciences Campus.
This position will lead fundraising efforts and represent the WVURNI in a range of venues and
activities. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Medical Development, Clinical
Programs, the Executive Director will create a comprehensive, integrated development program,
which is ready to perform at an unparalleled level of accomplishment in support of the WVURNI's
mission of developing innovative solutions for West Virginians and those across the world with
neurological and psychiatric conditions. The Executive Director must have a strong working partnership
with the Executive Chair and leadership of the RNI, as well as members of WVU Medicine leadership.
As the Chief Development Officer, the Executive Director exerts strategic leadership related to the
engagement of high-potential prospects (individuals, foundations, and corporations) in support of the
WVURNI's funding priorities. This position requires a major and principal gift officer first and foremost,
working with grateful patient prospects and those who are interested in supporting advanced
neurological science/treatment. The successful candidate must possess demonstrated and successful
leadership, management, operational, and communication skills combined with a track record of
accomplishment in fundraising and relationship building. The WVURNI offers an energetic, highly
complex working environment with many opportunities for the right person.
The WVURNI is led by Ali Rezai, MD, an internationally recognized neurosciences pioneer. Dr. Rezai is
a board-certified neurosurgeon and leader whose clinical areas of expertise include the neurosurgical
and neuromodulation management of patients with Parkinson's disease, dystonia, chronic pain, brain
and spinal cord injuries, as well as severe mood and anxiety disorders. A renowned innovator, surgeon,
and creator, Dr. Rezai serves as Executive Chair and Vice President of Neurosciences for WVU
Medicine. He also serves as Associate Dean and the John D. Rockefeller IV Tenured Professor in
Neuroscience at the WVU School of Medicine. Appointed in September 2017, Dr. Rezai brings a new
vision and strategic thrust to neuroscience research at WVU, one that includes deployment of an array
of initiatives and technologies to improve brain health. Examples include neuromodulation, robotics,
brain-computer interface, and virtual reality. WVURNI is headquartered on WVU's main campus located
in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The addition of Dr. Rezai to the WVU Medicine team exemplifies the commitment of WVU leadership to
build West Virginia University's medical enterprise - academic, research, and clinical - to world-class
status. WVU President E. Gordon Gee, President and CEO of West Virginia University Health System
Albert Wright, and Clay Marsh, MD, Chancellor and Executive Dean for Health Sciences, continue to
target rapid growth for WVU Medicine. In the past five years, more than 300 doctors from outside of
West Virginia and from some of the most prestigious academic medical centers in the United States
have been recruited to the University and its health system with the goal of expanding the number of
healthcare services available to the people of West Virginia and further positioning WVU as a national
leader in medical research.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Lead prospect relationship-building efforts and solicitation of private philanthropic support for the
WVURNI, with a focus on major ($50K+) and principal gift ($1M+) donors. Create and manage a
portfolio of prospects and donors (including individuals, foundations, and corporations) on behalf of the
faculty and leadership of the WVURNI.
Work closely with strategic partners in the WVU Foundation to capitalize on resources in annual giving,
leadership annual giving, planned giving, foundation/corporation relations, donor relations, and
marketing to support the priorities of the WVURNI.
Responsible for meeting annual key performance indicators for fundraising based on outreach,
cultivation, solicitation, and philanthropic support received.
Expand the base of support by building a comprehensive and strategic grateful patient program, in
collaboration with colleagues at the WVURNI and WVU Foundation.
Manage and direct WVURNI's participation in a University-wide comprehensive campaign, with a focus
on health and wellness, student success, and solutions to real-world problems.
Build strong working relationships with leadership and faculty at the WVURNI, to develop trust and
promote fundraising as a priority.
Identify, enlist, motivate, guide, and support volunteers, including faculty physicians, for participation in
overall program accomplishment, especially principal and major gift solicitations.
Utilize the WVU Foundation data system to record prospect and donor contact actions, planned
cultivation and solicitation strategies, and as the basis for reporting on attainment of quantifiable key
performance metrics.
Provide comprehensive, timely, and innovative stewardship for gifts from donors while elevating the
importance of this function to strengthen the interest, satisfaction, and commitment to the WVURNI.
Coordinate fundraising activities and prospect management with Health Sciences, School of Medicine,
and WVU Foundation development staff to strengthen the WVURNI development program, coordinate
work on multiple-interest prospects, and enhance results.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Education and Experience
Candidates must have:
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. (A master's degree is preferred.)
• A minimum of five years of progressive experience in development.
• A history of successful principal and major gift solicitations.
Preference will be given to candidates with:
• Greater experience in development and with grateful patients.
• Experience with neuroscience or medical programs in higher education fundraising.
• Experience at a comprehensive university.
A demonstrated track record in major/planned giving and fundraising experience in an academic
healthcare setting is highly desirable.
Travel
Travel, including overnight, is required as needed
Summary
The Executive Director of Development is the Chief Development Officer for the West Virginia
University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (WVURNI) and a key fundraiser for the WVU
Foundation in the Medical Development Office on the Health Sciences Campus.
This position will lead fundraising efforts and represent the WVURNI in a range of venues and
activities. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Medical Development, Clinical
Programs, the Executive Director will create a comprehensive, integrated development program,
which is ready to perform at an unparalleled level of accomplishment in support of the WVURNI's
mission of developing innovative solutions for West Virginians and those across the world with
neurological and psychiatric conditions. The Executive Director must have a strong working partnership
with the Executive Chair and leadership of the RNI, as well as members of WVU Medicine leadership.
As the Chief Development Officer, the Executive Director exerts strategic leadership related to the
engagement of high-potential prospects (individuals, foundations, and corporations) in support of the
WVURNI's funding priorities. This position requires a major and principal gift officer first and foremost,
working with grateful patient prospects and those who are interested in supporting advanced
neurological science/treatment. The successful candidate must possess demonstrated and successful
leadership, management, operational, and communication skills combined with a track record of
accomplishment in fundraising and relationship building. The WVURNI offers an energetic, highly
complex working environment with many opportunities for the right person.
The WVURNI is led by Ali Rezai, MD, an internationally recognized neurosciences pioneer. Dr. Rezai is
a board-certified neurosurgeon and leader whose clinical areas of expertise include the neurosurgical
and neuromodulation management of patients with Parkinson's disease, dystonia, chronic pain, brain
and spinal cord injuries, as well as severe mood and anxiety disorders. A renowned innovator, surgeon,
and creator, Dr. Rezai serves as Executive Chair and Vice President of Neurosciences for WVU
Medicine. He also serves as Associate Dean and the John D. Rockefeller IV Tenured Professor in
Neuroscience at the WVU School of Medicine. Appointed in September 2017, Dr. Rezai brings a new
vision and strategic thrust to neuroscience research at WVU, one that includes deployment of an array
of initiatives and technologies to improve brain health. Examples include neuromodulation, robotics,
brain-computer interface, and virtual reality. WVURNI is headquartered on WVU's main campus located
in Morgantown, West Virginia.
The addition of Dr. Rezai to the WVU Medicine team exemplifies the commitment of WVU leadership to
build West Virginia University's medical enterprise - academic, research, and clinical - to world-class
status. WVU President E. Gordon Gee, President and CEO of West Virginia University Health System
Albert Wright, and Clay Marsh, MD, Chancellor and Executive Dean for Health Sciences, continue to
target rapid growth for WVU Medicine. In the past five years, more than 300 doctors from outside of
West Virginia and from some of the most prestigious academic medical centers in the United States
have been recruited to the University and its health system with the goal of expanding the number of
healthcare services available to the people of West Virginia and further positioning WVU as a national
leader in medical research.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Lead prospect relationship-building efforts and solicitation of private philanthropic support for the
WVURNI, with a focus on major ($50K+) and principal gift ($1M+) donors. Create and manage a
portfolio of prospects and donors (including individuals, foundations, and corporations) on behalf of the
faculty and leadership of the WVURNI.
Work closely with strategic partners in the WVU Foundation to capitalize on resources in annual giving,
leadership annual giving, planned giving, foundation/corporation relations, donor relations, and
marketing to support the priorities of the WVURNI.
Responsible for meeting annual key performance indicators for fundraising based on outreach,
cultivation, solicitation, and philanthropic support received.
Expand the base of support by building a comprehensive and strategic grateful patient program, in
collaboration with colleagues at the WVURNI and WVU Foundation.
Manage and direct WVURNI's participation in a University-wide comprehensive campaign, with a focus
on health and wellness, student success, and solutions to real-world problems.
Build strong working relationships with leadership and faculty at the WVURNI, to develop trust and
promote fundraising as a priority.
Identify, enlist, motivate, guide, and support volunteers, including faculty physicians, for participation in
overall program accomplishment, especially principal and major gift solicitations.
Utilize the WVU Foundation data system to record prospect and donor contact actions, planned
cultivation and solicitation strategies, and as the basis for reporting on attainment of quantifiable key
performance metrics.
Provide comprehensive, timely, and innovative stewardship for gifts from donors while elevating the
importance of this function to strengthen the interest, satisfaction, and commitment to the WVURNI.
Coordinate fundraising activities and prospect management with Health Sciences, School of Medicine,
and WVU Foundation development staff to strengthen the WVURNI development program, coordinate
work on multiple-interest prospects, and enhance results.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Education and Experience
Candidates must have:
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. (A master's degree is preferred.)
• A minimum of five years of progressive experience in development.
• A history of successful principal and major gift solicitations.
Preference will be given to candidates with:
• Greater experience in development and with grateful patients.
• Experience with neuroscience or medical programs in higher education fundraising.
• Experience at a comprehensive university.
A demonstrated track record in major/planned giving and fundraising experience in an academic
healthcare setting is highly desirable.
Travel
Travel, including overnight, is required as needed