Senior Director, Global Advancement  

The Senior Director, Global Advancement is a senior philanthropic leader responsible for securing transformational philanthropic and other investments in support of global strategic initiatives, including notably ASU’s 100 Million Learner’s initiative - one of the world’s most ambitious global education efforts. This individual will drive the strategic development, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-impact donors, corporations, foundations, multilateral agencies, and government partners whose investment can meaningfully accelerate access to world-class management and entrepreneurship education for learners worldwide.

Reporting to the Vice President, Global Corporate Advancement and working closely with the 100ML Executive Director, program team and colleagues across the university, the Senior Director will design and execute innovative strategies to secure principal and leadership-level gifts ($1M+) that support the initiative’s long-term sustainability, digital expansion, multilingual content development, and global delivery networks as an on-ramp to this project and our broader university offering. The Senior Director will also manage a portfolio of additional global projects and donors as assigned by the VP of Global Corporate Advancement. 

What you’ll do 

• Design and lead a comprehensive global fundraising strategy for the 100 Million Learners initiative focused on securing transformational investments that enable large-scale global access to world-class education. 

• Set strategic philanthropic direction in collaboration with Thunderbird and ASU leadership to advance 100ML’s mission and long-term sustainability, working across the institution with other key academic units and partners.

• Manage a personal portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, global corporate leaders, donor governments, multilaterals, and philanthropic partners, with a focus on securing gifts and strategic investments of $1M+ and achieving annual fundraising targets necessary to expand the initiative’s global reach.

• Develop and execute integrated global prospect strategies, leveraging the engagement of Thunderbird and ASU leadership, faculty, global hubs, alumni, and international volunteers to identify, cultivate, and inspire supporters around the world.

• Direct the creation of compelling philanthropic proposals that articulate the transformative potential of the 100 Million Learners initiative and motivate principal-level philanthropic investment.

• Collaborate with ASU’s extensive network of overseas partners to expand and strengthen relationships with international donors, foundations, corporations, multilateral development agencies, and government partners aligned with 100ML’s mission.

• Partner closely with senior ASU leadership to identify, pursue, and co-create transformational funding opportunities that advance the initiative’s global scaling goals and its integration across the ASU enterprise.

• Ensure world-class stewardship, recognition, and personalized engagement for donors and partners supporting the 100 Million Learners initiative, demonstrating the impact of their investment and fostering long-term philanthropic relationships.

• Collaborate with colleagues across alumni engagement, donor relations, global marketing, communications, and prospect research to align strategies, share insights, and enhance the overall advancement approach for 100ML.

• Maintain deep and current knowledge of high-potential alumni, global champions, donor networks, and emerging prospects relevant to the initiative’s international growth and philanthropic pipeline.

• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of all prospect activity, proposals, and partnership developments in accordance with ASU Foundation policies and international compliance standards.

• Uphold best practices in prospect management, ensuring thorough tracking, reporting, and movement of prospects toward major commitments that advance the initiative’s global impact.

• Serves as a key member of the Global Advancement team and a resource to colleagues within ASUF and ASU

What you'll need 

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles

• Complex problem-solving skills coupled with the ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives

• Strong leadership skills: ability to organize, motivate, and lead a team to achieve desired result

• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information

• Ability to inquire about and understand organizational interests and needs, and determine how to persuade or market to that organization with compelling benefits

• Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University

• Ability to project a strong positive image of the University through personal interaction with prospects, donors, and alumni

• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others

• Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community

• Extensive fundraising principles and techniques of development/fundraising including proposal development, prospect identification, program planning, fund solicitation, database management, donor tracking, and social networking and marketing tools

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups

• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer database systems

Relevant qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree

• Ten (10) years’ relevant experience 

• Proven track record securing principal and transformational philanthropic gifts, including closing complex, multi-stakeholder gifts/partnerships of $1M+.

• Extensive experience in global fundraising, international development, or cross-border partnership building.

• Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, corporations, donor governments, multilaterals, and foundations.

• Experience designing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies for large-scale or

• global initiatives.

• Background in crafting high-impact philanthropic proposals, case statements, and strategic investment pitches.

• Experience collaborating with senior leadership, faculty, global partners, and cross-functional teams on funding strategy.

• History of working in fast-paced, multicultural, international environments and engaging stakeholders across diverse cultures.

• Experience providing world-class stewardship, donor engagement, and long-term relationship management.

• Proven ability to maintain rigorous documentation, prospect tracking, and compliance with institutional and international standards.

• Leadership experience within a development, advancement, or global partnerships team.

Preferred education and experience 

• Advanced degree

• Higher education fundraising related experience

• Experience with Salesforce and Workday

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution

• 22 days of vacation time

• 11 holidays, including your birthday

• Parental leave

• Significant tuition reductions

• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Foundation, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest

• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement

About ASU Foundation

The ASU Foundation fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education and conduct research for the public good.

At the ASU Foundation we value

Character
We prioritize character and integrity in every decision and action, establishing trust as the foundation of all that we do.
 

Service
We are dedicated to serving our students, donors, communities, and colleagues by fostering support and collaboration to ensure that our efforts are impactful.
 

Innovation
Innovation drives us to create meaningful opportunities and solutions, helping every member of our global community achieve meaningful outcomes.