"Coordinator III - Leadership Annual Giving (LAG) Officer"

Job Details

Requisition: 202500273S

Title: Coordinator III - Leadership Annual Giving (LAG) Officer

FLSA status: Exempt

Hiring Salary: This position is a pay grade 12. Please see Pay Grade Table at: https://pa-hrsuite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/116/docs/636763.pdf

Occupational Category: Professional

Department: Development

Division: Division of University Advancement

Open Date: 08/28/2025

Open Until Filled: Yes

Educational and Experience Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in fundraising, not-for-profit management, business management, sales, or a related field. A minimum of three years of experience in sales or entry level fundraising or in a related field. Prior fundraising experience or sales experience is preferred, showcasing a proven history of successful direct solicitations. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of education.

Nature & Purpose of Position: Serves as an early engagement solicitor connecting the institution with entry level, often first-time mid-tier giving support. Serves as the critical link between entry-level, annual donors, and future major gift prospects.

Primary Responsibilities: Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the university’s entry level leadership fundraising activities. Connects early-stage donors with the various academic, programmatic, and capital giving opportunities on campus. Creates investment with the institution, while at the same time, creates major gift pipelines to support Directors of Development (Major Gift Officers) in their quests to secure large critical funding. Develops and maintains relationships with current and prospective donors, focusing on engaging them in the university’s mission and fundraising initiatives. Manages a giving prospect portfolio of approximately 40 individuals. Conducts prospect identification, rely on research, cultivate, and solicit gifts in the $500 to $10,000 range. Collaborates with the Development-Donor Relations team to create and implement effective fundraising strategies for future major gift opportunities, ensuring these align with the university’s goals. Works with designated prospect manager to gain research valuable in identifying and qualifying potential leadership annual giving donors. Utilizes data to inform outreach efforts and monitors, tracks and reports using CASE best practice. Assesses donors to determine their potential for major gifts based on capacity and interests and provides relevant background information on prospects to identify those suitable for inclusion in major gift portfolios. Upon closure of a leadership annual gift, continues to grow the relationship, and may connect the constituent with the appropriate Director of Development. This hand-off is vital in ensuring long-term relationships with donors and ensuring they feel valued and informed about the impact of their contributions. Maintains contacts and responsibilities in a highly professional manner to help ensure that the university can effectively engage and grow the brand with its donor community and meet its fundraising goals. Collaborates with colleagues in various fundraising units to optimize divisional fundraising effectiveness. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Specifications: Works collaboratively within a complex environment and communicates positively with all constituents, especially the Sam Houston University Foundation and Sam Houston State University Alumni boards. Must be highly motivated, an energetic self-starter with sound judgment and decision-making ability, and attention to detail with solid organizational ability. Must possess strong writing and verbal communication skills and have exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Familiarity with higher education fundraising and the moves management process is a plus. A professional demeanor and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality are critical. May be called upon to work beyond standard business hours, including evenings and weekends. Attendance at major campus-related events will be critical, and some regional travel may be required. Solid understanding of, and appreciation for, advancing the mission of Sam Houston State University is critical.

Full Time Part Time: Full Time

Quicklink: https://shsu.peopleadmin.com/postings/44711

EEO Statement: Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or protected veteran status. The University takes seriously the initiative to ensure equal opportunity in the workforce and to comply with Title VII as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Sam Houston State University is an “at will” employer. Employees with a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security-sensitive positions at SHSU require background checks in accordance with Education Code §51.215.