"Director of Development"

Job Details

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Job Title
Director of Development

Division
Division of Institutional Advancement

Department
Development Office

Work Status
Full Time

Position Category
Staff

FLSA
Exempt

Pay Range
Exempt

Salary Range
$100,000 - $120,000 / year

Fund Source
State Support

Job Summary

Job Duties

The Director of Development for the School of Business and School of Engineering is a key leadership position responsible for designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the academic and strategic priorities of both schools. The individual reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Development and works closely with the Dean of the School of Business and the School of Engineering. The Director will be responsible for cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, corporations, foundations, and other stakeholders to secure financial support for scholarships, research initiatives, program development, and infrastructure enhancement. The Director will be responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $25,000 and above for the Schools of Business and School of Engineering.

The Director will set and achieve fundraising goals, maintain a knowledge of funders’ interests, collaborate with other advancement colleagues and external constituents as appropriate and work to create a culture of philanthropy with the School of Business and School of Engineering. The successful candidate will build lasting relationships with donors, helping to ensure long-term support for the university and keeping them updated on how their financial support is making an impact. The preferred candidate should be self-motivated, task oriented, deadline driven, a good communicator and collaborator.

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy

• Develop and execute strategic fundraising plans aligned with the goals and priorities of the School of Business and School of Engineering.
• Review, evaluate and prioritize key fundraising initiatives that help strengthen and support the mission of the university.
• Enhance existing and create new fundraising opportunities with targeted campaigns to engage donors and increase philanthropic support.
• Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospects (100+), leveraging data and analytics to prioritize cultivation efforts.
• Plan and execute targeted fundraising events (e.g., salon events, small dinners, 1:1 meetings) for the Dean of the School of Business and the School of Engineering.
• Collaborate with other advancement team members as appropriate on fundraising initiatives to assure appropriate resources are available to implement the strategy.

Donor Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship:

• Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with individuals, alumni, corporate and foundation partners to secure financial support.
• Prepare persuasive cases for support, proposals, annual appeals, and gift agreement for individuals for specific projects, scholarships, and initiatives. Work with corporate and foundation advancement colleagues on specialized grant requests that would require their assistance and assure compliance with grant requirements and reporting obligations, including tracking outcomes and impact metrics.
• Implement stewardship strategies in collaboration with advancement colleagues to recognize and retain donors which could include personalized communications, donor recognition events, impact reports, and meeting with the Deans or key faculty members of both schools

Collaboration and Relationship Management:

• Collaborate with the Deans, faculty members, and university administrators to identify priorities and develop compelling and fundable proposals.
• Work closely with advancement colleagues, volunteers, and advisory boards to leverage their networks and support fundraising initiatives.
• Work closely with the prospect research team to identify new prospects and potential fundraising initiatives.
• Work closely with the events team, the advancement communications team, and the alumni team on larger events (e.g., campaign events, alumni receptions) as appropriate to ensure that the appropriate logistics, budget, communications, and alumni support is available for successful execution.

Budget Management and Reporting:

• Develop and manage annual fundraising budgets for the School of Business and School of Engineering, tracking expenses and revenue projections.
• Prepare regular progress reports, financial forecasts, and fundraising metrics to evaluate performance and inform strategic decision-making.

Requested Minimum Qualifications

Education: The successful candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Engineering, Fundraising, Nonprofit Management or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience: A Minimum of five years of experience in Institutional Advancement, Development, or Fundraising is required.

Other Preferences for Consideration

Preferences:

• A Master’s degree preferred, in Business Administration or Engineering, Fundraising, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• Experience in institutional advancement, development, or fundraising. preferably in higher education or a related nonprofit organization.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Demonstrated success in soliciting major gifts, securing grants, and building donor relationships
• Demonstrated success in collaborating with academic leaders and university administrators and knowledge/execution of strategic planning process as it relates to fundraising initiatives
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and inspire diverse stakeholders
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices, ethical standards, and legal regulations related to philanthropy
• Proficiency in fundraising databases, CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Commitment to the mission and values of the School of Business and School of Engineering, with a passion for advancing education, research, and innovation

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
ST01526

Number of Vacancies
1

Job Open Date
11/03/2025

Job Close Date
12/02/2025

Special Instructions to Applicant

Please enter one professional and one personal reference in the References page of the application.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Business Administration, Engineering, Nonprofit Management, or a related field, from an accredited college or university?
   Yes
   No
2. * Do you possess a minimum of five years of experience in Institutional Advancement, Development and/or Fundraising?
   Yes
   No
3. Do you possess a Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Engineering, Fundraising, Nonprofit Management or a related field, from an accredited college or university?
   Yes
   No
4. How much professional work experience do you possess in Institutional Advancement, Development or Fundraising, specifically in higher education or a related nonprofit organization?
   (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

1. Transcripts (unofficial )