Associate Director of Major Gifts, National Academy of Engineering

Job Description Summary:

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) provide independent, objective advice to inform policy with evidence, spark innovation, and confront complex challenges for the benefit of society. We bring together the brightest minds across disciplines to translate knowledge into action—advancing progress and the public good.
As part of The National Academies, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is a vibrant community of thought leaders who harness the power of engineering to improve lives, strengthen the nation, and shape a more sustainable future.
At NAE, you’ll join a team that thrives on collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and purpose. We value initiative, creativity, and integrity—and we’re looking for a development professional who shares our passion for impact.

The Associate Director plays a pivotal role in advancing the NAE’s mission and fundraising priorities for our $100M Campaign for Leadership in a World of Accelerating Change. This position offers the opportunity to engage a national portfolio of accomplished leaders—including executives from top engineering, tech, and innovation-driven companies—around the transformative work of the NAE.
We’re seeking a strategic, intellectually engaged, and relationship-driven fundraiser who thrives in a collegial environment. The ideal candidate will balance independence and creativity with teamwork and sound judgment, bringing both strategic vision and practical execution to donor engagement.
The Associate Director manages a portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects and develops tailored strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Reporting to the NAE Senior Director of Development, this position also collaborates with colleagues across development, membership, and program teams to design and curate donor experiences, communications, events and proposals that strengthen relationships and inspire giving.

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

Major Gifts & Donor Engagement (~70%)

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Build long-term relationships with NAE members, friends, volunteers, and external partners to advance institutional priorities.
• Partner with the Director of Development to set annual fundraising goals, develop strategic engagement plans, and curate high-impact donor experiences and events.
• Travel locally and nationally to meet with donors, prospects, and partners, representing the NAE and its mission with credibility and enthusiasm.
• Draft compelling proposals, concept notes, and stewardship reports that convey the NAE’s impact with clarity and intellectual rigor.
• Collaborate with program directors and senior leadership to align fundraising opportunities with programmatic priorities.

Strategic Partnership & Program Support (~30%)

• Work with colleagues across development, research, and membership to develop cross-cutting fundraising strategies and joint engagement opportunities.
• Strengthen member and section engagement through creative outreach and participation initiatives that deepen connection and philanthropic investment.
• Partner with advancement services, finance, and communications to ensure consistency and quality in donor materials, reporting, and stewardship.
• Support NAE Council and Development Committee meetings by preparing donor analyses, reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Stay attuned to individual philanthropic and corporate giving trends, particularly in engineering, technology, and innovation sectors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or relationship management (preferably within a university or national think tank or national non-profit organization), with direct experience soliciting and securing grants or gifts from donors at the $50,000 level or higher, preferred.
• Experience managing a national portfolio of prospects, ideally including executives and leaders in technology, engineering, or related fields.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Exceptional writing, communication, and presentation skills; experience drafting high-quality proposals and reports.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and demonstrated ability to work with RENXT or similar CRMs, with a commitment to rigorous documentation, data integrity, and portfolio management.
• Comfort using Microsoft Teams and internal collaboration tools to support a coordinated and transparent development operation.
• Strong attention to detail and process, balanced with an ability to thrive in donor-facing work and close significant gifts.
• Ability to travel and work occasional evenings or weekends for donor meetings and events.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of progressive experience in major gifts, development, or relationship management.
• Demonstrated success soliciting and securing significant gifts and managing a national prospect portfolio.
• Strong CRM/database skills (RENXT preferred) and a commitment to rigorous documentation, data integrity, and process discipline.
• Ability to balance detail-oriented portfolio management with high-energy, donor-facing engagement.
• Exceptional writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker and team player with creativity, integrity, sound judgment, and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Bachelor’s degree required; experience in STEM, higher education, or mission-driven organizations preferred.

Compensation Range An estimated compensation range for this position is $88,450 - $121,620. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate’s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range.  This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance.  For more information, please click ​here. 

Work Environment:

Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage three days a week (60%), with travel between National Academies’ facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Job Family:

DEVL

Employee Type:

Employee

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

City/State:

Washington, District of Columbia