The Georgia Institute for Technology (Georgia Tech)
Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 50,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech’s faculty attracted approximately $1.37 billion in research awards in the most recent fiscal year, supporting work across critical fields including biomedical technology, artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and remains No. 1 among U.S. institutions without a medical school.
Georgia Tech - At a Glance:
Mission & Values:
Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything they do:
Students are our top priority.
We strive for excellence.
We thrive on diversity.
We celebrate collaboration.
We champion innovation.
We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
We act ethically.
We are responsible stewards.
Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.
Academic Excellence:
Georgia Tech is ranked No. 3 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. All of Georgia Tech's undergraduate engineering programs rank in the top 6, and all of the University's graduate engineering programs rank in the top 10. (Source: U.S. News & World Report)
Scheller College of Business ranks No. 19 among all Undergraduate Business Programs — with several programs featured in the top 10. Analytics (No. 3), quantitative analysis (No. 5), and management information systems (No. 2) are among the standout areas. Scheller College of Business also ranks No. 10 for their Part-Time MBA (Source: U.S. News & World Report).
Computer Science ranks No. 5 by U.S. News & World Report's Undergraduate Program Rankings, No. 6 by U.S. News & World Report's Graduate School Rankings, No. 17 by Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and No. 28 in The Guardian's QS World University Rankings.
In the category of Statistics and Operational Research, Georgia Tech ranks No. 9 in The Guardian's QS World University Rankings. Georgia Tech's graduate urban planning program is ranked No. 6 in the U.S. and No. 2 in Big City Programs by Planetizen.
Diversity:
The Institute is consistently ratedamong the top universities in the nation for graduation of underrepresented minorities in engineering, physical sciences, and architecture and planning.
With more than 60 chartered student organizations exploring religious, racial, sexual, and ethnic identity (but open to all), Georgia Tech's students find a way to celebrate, strengthen, and share their part of the robust cultural melting pot that thrives in the university's community.
Georgia Tech Office of Development (DEV)
The Office of Development is committed to securing the philanthropic resources that are transforming Georgia Tech. We engage alumni, friends, families, corporations, and foundations in the life of the Institute and encourage financial investment in Tech's future.
The fundraising team at Georgia Tech currently consists of 100+ professionals who are focused on securing transformative philanthropy (major and principal gifts) to support the strategic priorities of the Institute and its colleges, schools, and programs including Athletics.
Learn about the groups that make up the Office of Development:
Georgia Tech has achieved the most successful fundraising year in its history, raising nearly $300 million in philanthropic support in fiscal year 2025. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Georgia Tech. More than 25,000 donors contributed to this year’s success — including alumni, foundations, corporations, and first-time supporters.
“Georgia Tech’s brand has never been stronger. People close to campus and those across the nation are seeing Georgia Tech as a problem-solver in a changing world. We simply can’t thank our friends, alumni, volunteers, and staff enough for the great work that’s being done on so many levels,” said Jim Hall, vice president for Development.
This monumental success marks a 20% increase over the Institute’s previous record-setting year and fuels momentum for Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech, the most ambitious philanthropic effort in the Institute’s history, which now totals $1.83 billion and counting. Fiscal Year 2025 places Georgia Tech on pace to achieve its $2 billion campaign goal by the end of 2027.
Georgia Tech Office of Development (DEV) - Leadership Spotlight:
Leslie Gonnella - Associate Vice President, Development Operations and Services
Leslie Taylor Gonnella Associate Vice President, Development Operations and Services
Leslie Taylor Gonnella is a seasoned executive-level development professional with a track record spanning over two decades, dedicated to leading the operational and administrative aspects of development and alumni relations programs. With a passion for driving impactful outcomes, Leslie excels in building highly productive and strategic teams that deliver proactive solutions.
Currently serving as the Associate Vice President of Development Operations and Services at the Georgia Institute of Technology since April 2023, Leslie oversees the day-to-day operations of the development division. Her responsibilities include managing diverse teams covering budget and finance, prospect development, information processing, reporting, donor relations, event management, gift administration and facilities. She plays a pivotal role in building and leading the systems and processes that support the division in meeting and exceeding annual fundraising goals.
Prior to her current role, Leslie held significant leadership positions at institutions such as Lehigh University and the University of Chicago. At Lehigh University, as the Associate Vice President & Chief Operating Officer from October 2017 to March 2023, Leslie led operations for the development and alumni relations division, modernizing all operations teams and spearheading division-wide planning efforts overseeing the launch of the $1 billion-dollar campaign. At the University of Chicago, Leslie served in leadership roles for the Medical Center and Hospital supporting grateful patient fundraising, Central operations supporting all schools and units across campus and eventually Booth School of Business, where she served as the Chief Operating Officer and Campaign Director, she oversaw development operations and led the department in the successful launch of a $1 billion-campaign.
Throughout her career, Leslie has demonstrated a unique ability to collaborate with institutional leaders, manage multi-billion-dollar campaigns, build development communications teams, campaign brands and plans, design relationship management systems, and oversee data analytics, reporting, and pipeline development. Her expertise extends to talent management, budgeting, and finance, as well as event management, CRM conversion, gift administration, compliance and policy development.
Leslie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Whittier College and has been recognized as a Fulbright Research Scholar (Budapest, Hungary). Her commitment to excellence, coupled with her strategic mindset and extensive experience, continues to drive impactful outcomes in the field of development and alumni relations.
The Opportunity: Director of Operations and Team Engagement
Reporting to the AVP of Development Operations and Services, the Director of Operations and Team Engagement will play a critical role supporting fundraising objectives and strengthening operational processes across the division. The Director will lead initiatives that cultivate a strong, collaborative culture by creating purposeful shared experiences – such as staff meetings, retreats, and social gatherings – while promoting a shared understanding of departmental strategy, goals, and addressing knowledge gaps through personalized professional development opportunities. Serving as a key connector across teams, this position will help align department-wide strategy, build consensus around policies, procedures, and fundraising goal reporting, and support the efficient and effective achievement of fundraising targets.
In partnership with the HR Partner, the Director will strategically connect professional development planning to overall division growth and continuing education. Responsibilities include curating and delivering training curricula for departmental and team meetings by leveraging a mix of industry resources (e.g., CASE, AASP, EAB, APRA, ADRP, AFP, etc.), consultants, and internally developed content from GTHR. The role will advise and counsel Development and Executive Leadership and collaborate closely with the HR Partner, university faculty and staff, alumni, and Development leadership and staff. This position will also provide direct supervision of assigned staff.
The Role and Responsibilities
Responsibilities:
Make content recommendations for all staff meetings, ad hoc trainings, and staff retreats, bringing industry best practices to the Development division.
Build a Development onboarding program, curating personalized welcome programs and introductions to the Division that may include an introduction to Development as an industry; an introduction to the Development divisions at GT (e.g., leadership structure and where the role fits within the organization); onboarding meeting recommendations and scheduling with Development division leaders; and liaising with hiring managers to plan for the first six months of an employee joining the team.
Develop plans and objectives to ensure the success of operational processes while working with departments across the division to build mutually beneficial relationships, improve communication and collaborative teamwork, and increase campus understanding of development fundraising processes.
Coordinate planning and status updates or meetings for reporting analysis, process implementation, and project timelines.
Anticipate the needs of supervisors and department staff to help them stay focused on fundraising goals and project initiatives by identifying and resolving operational issues before they arise.
Assist in the development, facilitation, or management of Development fundraising division and program objectives by building departmental expertise with Development Operations, maximizing effectiveness, efficiency, timeliness, accuracy, and return on investment (ROI).
Coordinate with DEV's Vice President, AVP Operations and Services, DEV Cabinet, Senior Leadership Team, and managers throughout the division on professional development opportunities related to the development and philanthropic industry, proactivity identifying growth and learning paths for individuals in both operations and frontline roles.
Oversee the Development Culture Committee to foster a healthy, productive work environment and manage a comprehensive staff welcome program.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Skills and Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge
Knowledge of applicable database.
Experience working in Development operations, human resources, or talent management.
Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office applications (especially Word, and Excel).
Knowledge of One USG preferred.
Ability to collaborate and work with varied experienced level of professionals for strategy or confidential discussions. Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
Thorough knowledge of Development as in industry, with deep understanding of how the operations teams supporting frontline activity increase the efficiencies and effectiveness of frontline productivity.
Skills
A proven record as a successful manager.
An open and collaborative leadership style.
Excellent communication, project, and management skills.
Excellent analytical thinking and computer-based critical thinking skills.
Abilities
Willingness and ability to learn additional technologies as needed.
Ability to take initiative, use sound judgment, and ask questions as needed.
Ability to manage, and maintain sensitivity to, highly confidential information.
Ability to lead groups and projects as well as function as part of an integrated team.
Ability to deliver results within the established timeframes while managing multiple priorities.
Ability to operate independently and as part of a team - this position will collaborate closely with staff across the department.
Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize work and manage diverse and competing priorities while meeting deadlines.
Strong organizational and analytical skills with ability to initiate, analyze, and monitor plans that support the goals and objectives for the division.
Ability to communicate with a broad range of personalities with tact and diplomacy and capability of creating connections or consensus between and among individuals and teams.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
3–5 years of relevant experience, including supervision and leadership.
Preferred Qualifications
5–7 years of experience in development operations, administrative services, human resources, or a related field.
Experience in an independent school, college, university, or academic setting preferred.
Applications & Nominations
The Georgia Institute for Technology has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:
Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.
Jill Coran brings a broad foundation in human resources and executive search to our Boston team, enabling her to make valuable contributions to search assignments. She is adept at understanding client needs, researching and identifying high-level potential candidates, and shepherding the search process with integrity and professionalism. In searches for hard-to-fill roles, her tenacity is invaluable.
Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.
Georgia Tech - Director of Operations & Team Engagement- Job Description (PDF Download)
