Uva External Relations

About the Manning Institute of Biotechnology

With the defining mission of “Transforming Science into Medicines,” the Manning Institute of Biotechnology (MIoB) leverages expertise across the University of Virginia to turn laboratory discoveries into treatments and cures, for the benefit of patients in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond. Catalyzed by a $100 million gift from Paul and Diane Manning, the lead investment in a $350 million public-private partnership, the Institute’s 350,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will open in late 2027. At the heart of a rapidly expanding biotech ecosystem in Charlottesville and across Virginia, the Manning Institute will serve as a powerful economic engine and a national hub for drug development, education, workforce development, and industry partnership. Continued philanthropic investment will help to fully realize this vision and bring new hope to patients and families who are facing devastating illness.

Position Overview

The University of Virginia seeks an experienced, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven development professional to serve as the inaugural Chief Development Officer (CDO) for the Manning Institute of Biotechnology. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for UVA Health Development and working in close partnership with the Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the MIoB and their team, the CDO will build and lead a comprehensive philanthropic program from the ground up.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to develop and execute a new philanthropic model across the University’s Schools of Medicine, Engineering, Arts & Sciences, and Data Science that includes support for scholarships, professorships, education and workforce programs, buildout of the new capital facility, and funding to seed the most promising ideas coming from UVA labs and speed them into clinical trials.

About External Relations at UVA

External Relations at the University of Virginia includes the advancement and state government relations functions. UVA has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented, and resourceful professionals. Our community comprises a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development.

Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Campaign Planning

• Design and execute a comprehensive development strategy and campaign plan that aligns the MIoB strategic priorities with development goals across the schools and University.
• Establish fundraising priorities, goals, metrics, and timelines.
• Serve as a thought partner for MIoB leadership. Develop and execute a plan to engage Institute leadership and faculty in the work of fundraising.
• Support the work of the Senior Vice President for External Relations and other development leadership on behalf of the Manning Institute.
• Partner with the MIoB’s chief marketing officer and UVA Health Development team to develop high-quality donor-facing materials, impact reports, case statements, gift proposals, and event programming.
• Build and steward a robust portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, to include individuals, foundations, industry partners, and disease-based organizations.
• Personally manage a portfolio of prospective donors, with responsibility for discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts at the six- and seven-figure level and above.
• Design and oversee cultivation and engagement strategies tailored to the motivations and capacity of individual donors, foundations, and corporations.
• Partner with the University’s Corporate & Foundation Relations team on managing high-level industry partnerships in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors.
• Collaborate with development leaders, deans, and faculty across UVA on fundraising strategies and proposals for shared priorities of the MIoB and schools of the University.
• Launch an Advisory Board for the Manning Institute, to include leaders from industry, philanthropy, science, and public policy who can serve as champions, connectors, and donors.
• Create objectives and a productive meeting cadence for the Advisory Board.
• Provide strategic staffing and support to Advisory Board members, preparing them to open doors, make introductions, participate in donor cultivation events, and lead by philanthropic example.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of eight to ten years of progressively responsible development experience in academic medical centers, higher education, or a comparably complex nonprofit or research organization.
• Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing major and principal gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Experience in strategic planning and crafting a campaign.
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and technical concepts into compelling donor narratives.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries and to build trusted and productive partnerships with faculty, leadership, volunteers, and donors.
• Strong project management skills and comfort operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Commitment to the values of the University of Virginia and to the highest standards of professional ethics and donor stewardship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience fundraising in biomedical research, engineering, or a related technical field.
• Existing networks within the biotechnology, life sciences, or healthcare philanthropy communities.
• Experience staffing and developing volunteer advisory boards or campaign committees.
• Knowledge of Charlottesville’s biotech and research ecosystem or demonstrated ability to build regional presence rapidly.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.