Associate Director of Major Gifts - Health Sciences and Technology and Fralin Biomedical Research Institute

Job Description

The Associate Director of Major Gifts, Health Sciences and Technology (HST), and Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC (FBRI, located in Roanoke, VA) will solicit philanthropic gifts from alumni, families, friends, and supporters which align with the Institute’s fundraising goals, and overall university health sciences strategic priorities. This highly motivated professional will be involved with the planning and implementation of major gift fundraising in support of current operations, endowment, capital, and other priorities from private sources in support of operations and growth for HST and FBRI. Identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of potential prospects will be the primary focus of this role, requiring travel around the region and nationally. This position will fulfill the duties under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Health Sciences Technology & Fralin Biomedical Research Institute.

In 2007, Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech joined together to create a unique public-private partnership that was aimed at transforming health care through research and educating the biomedical researchers and physician thought-leaders of tomorrow. The Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine allows both organizations to leverage their strengths—Virginia Tech’s sciences, computational and engineering expertise and Carilion’s clinical expertise—to improve the health and lives of individuals in the Commonwealth and beyond.

FBRI, founded in 2010, is led by Dr. Michael Friedlander, Executive Director of the FBRI who also serves as VT's Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology. The research institute’s active extramural funding portfolio has grown to its current value of $241M over the first 15 years.

Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke offers a vibrant and affordable lifestyle with easy access to outdoor recreation, cultural amenities, and a growing innovation ecosystem. The city’s proximity to Virginia Tech’s main campus and its role as a regional hub for health sciences make it an ideal setting for advancing the mission of FBRI.

This position is key to the presidential university initiative to deliver innovative solutions that address health challenges affecting millions through advanced research and development programs across VT’s Blacksburg, Roanoke, and greater Washington, D.C. metro area facilities including the Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus in Washington DC.

The Associate Director of Major Gifts will:
- Assist with fundraising activities nationally, including identification, cultivation and successful solicitations, and stewardship.
- Have a portfolio of between 100-125 prospects.
- Have typical solicitation ranges of $100,000 to $1,000,000.
- Close $2,000,000 per year using a three-year rolling average.
- Close on average 10-13 major gifts per fiscal year.
- Develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies which include building, managing, and soliciting a portfolio of major gift prospects.
- Establish strong working relationships with scientists across the HST and FBRI platform, and with other advancement, collegiate and constituent development officers and staff to foster a productive work environment.

Regional and national travel is required for the purposes of conducting field research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, which may include overnights and weekends. The associate director must have the ability and willingness to travel utilizing standard, commercial, and/or personal modes of transportation. Additionally, participation in college or university programs when possible is necessary.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with experience equating to an advanced degree.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, sales/marketing, advertising, public relations, communications or a related field.
• Past experience in medical or basic research fundraising.
• Willingness to travel on a frequent basis.
• Demonstrated professionalism with strong communication skills and capability of motivating volunteers as well as donors.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work as a team member in a complex organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated successful track record in fundraising.
• Experience in higher education fundraising.
• Proven success in building productive relationships with senior administrators, key business leaders, faculty, staff, institutional boards, volunteers, and/or donors.
• An ability to rapidly grasp and understand complex concepts in basic science research while also being able to communicate those ideas to prospective donors.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$72,000 To $82,000

Hours Per Week

40+

Review Date

November 16, 2025

Additional Information

• Safe driving record.
• Routine Travel or Telework – (50% or more travel).
• Unable to sponsor work visas.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Advancement Human Resources at hr@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.