ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT JOB DESCRIPTION

As the Assistant Director of Development, you manage an assigned prospect portfolio and execute solicitation strategies that convert donor interest into unrestricted, restricted, and planned gifts that advance the institution's academic and research priorities. The role sits within a development team reporting to a director-level leader, with meaningful engagement across academic units, alumni relations, and gift planning offices.

Career Impact: Managing a named portfolio of 100 or more prospects, with personal visit targets and five- and six-figure close responsibilities, builds the qualification and solicitation track record required to advance to Associate Director or Director of Development roles in higher education.

Business Impact: Each dollar raised directly funds endowed positions, student awards, and research priorities that faculty and academic leadership could not pursue through operating budgets alone.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to planned giving identification, endowment stewardship reporting, and cross-unit prospect strategy equips practitioners for the multi-constituency complexity of senior major gift roles.

• Manage a portfolio of 100 or more assigned prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship stages.
• Execute a minimum number of meaningful personal visits annually to advance donor relationships and meet activity benchmarks.
• Solicit and close gifts across the leadership annual, major, and planned gift ranges in alignment with institutional priorities.
• Partner with faculty and academic unit leaders to surface funding priorities and support their participation in prospect solicitations.
• Design and implement annual stewardship plans for cumulative-level donors, including endowment reports and stewardship correspondence.
• Identify new prospects through referrals, list review, and qualification meetings, contributing to the unit's major gift pipeline.
• Coordinate prospect strategy and contact reporting across the development team to maintain cross-departmental transparency.
• Staff and support donor cultivation and stewardship events, including receptions, recognition programs, and special academic gatherings.

• Bachelor's degree in any field or equivalent work experience.
• Three or more years of fundraising or relationship management experience, with demonstrated success in direct solicitation or donor portfolio work.
• Proven ability to qualify prospects and assess inclination and capacity for significant philanthropic commitments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate compelling cases for unrestricted and current-use support.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to manage multiple active prospect relationships and project deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively within a complex, multi-unit organization, maintaining confidentiality and exercising discretion with donor information.
• Willingness to travel regionally and maintain a schedule that includes occasional evenings and weekends.

• Experience working within a college, university, or academic medical center development office.
• Familiarity with planned gift identification and stewardship practices in an academic setting.
• Experience staffing volunteers or faculty in a development context.
• Knowledge of constituent relationship management systems used in higher education fundraising.

• Personal visit count against annual target, reflecting active portfolio engagement.
• Number of prospects qualified and moved from discovery to cultivation within the fiscal year.
• Gift commitments closed by dollar volume and count within the assigned portfolio.
• Number of planned gift prospects identified through qualification meetings annually.
• Stewardship plan completion rate for cumulative-level donors at the $100,000+ threshold.
• Typical tools: fundraising CRM (commonly Advance or Blackbaud CRM); office productivity suite (commonly Microsoft Office 365).

• Base Salary Range: $55,000–$75,000 annually, varying by institution size and region
• Bonus: Performance incentives uncommon; some institutions offer modest gift-closing recognition
• Equity: Not applicable in higher education or non-profit settings
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; many universities cover a significant premium share
• PTO: 15–22 days annually, plus institutional holidays and possible winter recess
• Common Perks: Tuition remission for employee or dependents, retirement contributions, professional development funding

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required for this position. Background screening, which may include criminal history and reference verification, is a condition of employment. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are available throughout the application and employment process upon request. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The Assistant Director of Development owns a portfolio of 800+ prospects annually, driving qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of five- and six-figure gifts within a complex academic institution. Working alongside faculty, academic leadership, and fundraising colleagues, this role builds the major gift pipeline and advances unrestricted support that sustains the institution's academic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 800+ prospects on an annual basis.
• Complete a minimum of 175 personal meetings annually with prospective donors.
• Secure new commitments towards flexible current use and other priorities.
• Identify a minimum of 10 planned gift donors through qualification meetings.
• Actively seek new prospects for addition to the leadership and major gift pipeline through referrals, list reviews, and other methods.
• Adhere to all prospect management processes and policies around contact reports and proposals to ensure cross-departmental transparency and effectiveness.
• Develop and execute robust, multi-step prospect strategies using knowledge of prospects' interests.
• Strategically leverage academic leadership, faculty, and other community members to lead to successful solicitation and closure of five- and six-figure gifts.
• Support the formation of unrestricted and flexibly restricted cases for support by providing feedback and insight garnered from prospect interactions.
• Participate in group strategy discussions, provide project leadership when requested, and contribute to the achievement of overall team goals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of four years of experience in development or directly related transferable experience.
• Successful track record as a fundraiser, with a preference for four or more years of direct solicitation, sales, or relationship management experience.
• Knowledge of complex academic institutions and experience staffing academic leaders in development work preferred.
• Experience working with fundraising volunteers preferred.
• Demonstrated experience qualifying prospects during initial visits to determine inclination and capacity to make significant gifts.
• Strong active listening skills, including the ability to ask sensitive questions with tact and uncover interests, motivations, and objections from prospective donors.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with consistent demonstration of tact, diplomacy, and discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to persuasively communicate the case for unrestricted and current use support preferred.
• Must be a self-starter who is organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize and balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to function at a high level within a complex organization, with prior university experience preferred.
• High level of emotional intelligence, a natural affinity for collaboration, and the patience to advance solutions in a complex environment.
• Experience with fundraising CRM systems such as Advance or similar relational databases.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and other computer applications.

Embedded within a college and extension unit development team, the Assistant Director of Development delivers end-to-end donor portfolio management from initial qualification through solicitation and stewardship, coordinating gift strategies across campus leadership, faculty, and volunteers. Working closely with university and external partners, this role advances annual fund efforts, special events, and multi-interest prospect strategies that strengthen philanthropic support for the college's mission.

Core Functions

• Execute qualifying discussions to define philanthropic aspirations of leadership annual giving and major gift prospects.
• Manage a portfolio of donor prospects from initial qualification through cultivation, proposal development, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Plan, schedule, and complete travel, including overnight travel, to contact prospects and donors for portfolio management.
• Identify opportunities for coordinated development efforts between the college and the extension unit.
• Build and manage a network of relationships with prospective donors involving university and college leadership, faculty, and volunteers.
• Facilitate and coordinate all communication with prospects and among the prospect's campus relationships.
• Suggest strategy meetings on multi-interest prospects with fundraising colleagues to keep gift discussions moving forward in a donor-centric fashion.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of the college and extension unit, including mission, history, and current priorities, to assure effective representation of all aspects of funding opportunities and needs.
• Coordinate all annual fund development efforts with relevant university and external partners.
• Support event sponsorship and grant opportunities within both units.
• Plan, execute, and staff prospect cultivation, donor stewardship, and recognition programs, and other special events as assigned.
• Comply with all reporting and accountability standards and coordinate development efforts with university unit staff as needed.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; master's degree preferred.
• One year of professional experience in fundraising, with preference for a background in higher education, non-profit, alumni relations, public relations, or marketing.
• Experience with philanthropic or non-profit organizations.
• Experience in higher education.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases such as Blackbaud CRM preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of fundraising principles and strategies with an understanding of donor and constituent database systems.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to read and interpret documents and write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively in one-on-one settings and before groups of constituents and colleagues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with potential donors, university administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to translate relationship building beyond individuals to corporations and private foundations.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt, make decisions, and work independently while building and maintaining relationships with donors, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to coordinate and prioritize complex projects and calendar visits, set deadlines, and deliver results in a timely manner.
• High degree of attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to manage highly confidential information.

Reporting to senior development leadership, the Assistant Director of Development shapes stewardship and annual giving programs for assigned institutes and departments within an academic medical center, managing endowment reports, faculty liaison activities, and donor cultivation events. Partnering with the Office of Medical Annual Giving, gift planning, and regional programs, this role ensures $100,000+ cumulative-level donors receive meaningful stewardship and that solicitation pipelines remain robust and well-coordinated.

Primary Duties

• Develop an understanding of and accurately articulate the mission of assigned institutes and departments, including the need for unrestricted funds and priority funding areas.
• Serve as the primary development liaison to two to four faculty members, holding recurring meetings to encourage faculty participation in development activities and keeping the team current on research initiatives and funding priorities.
• Design and execute unique and meaningful annual stewardship plans, ensuring successful completion of all assigned mandatory stewardship plans for $100,000+ cumulative-level donors each fiscal year.
• Write annual endowment reports and stewardship letters on behalf of gift officers, institute and department directors, and faculty members.
• Plan, implement, and staff stewardship and cultivation events, including professorship dedications, cultivation receptions, and alumni gatherings, and oversee related vendor coordination.
• Manage the annual giving program for assigned units, acting as the liaison with the Office of Medical Annual Giving, and coordinate the production process of direct mail, phonathon, and semi-annual pledge reminders.
• Evaluate research of donor prospects for capacity and inclination to give, tracking donors capable of giving at the $500+ level and contributing to comprehensive solicitation and stewardship plans.
• Coordinate access and utilization of central development resources, including the offices of gift planning, regional and international programs, and development research.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least two years of development experience required, preferably in an academic medical center or university setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent writing, editorial, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail and knowledge of accounting theory and practices.
• Ability to work with broadly diverse groups of constituents, including donors, alumni, faculty, department chairs, administrators, and institutional leadership.
• Ability to work independently, manage projects and priorities, and maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Comfortable working in a complex, multi-department organization and dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel and be flexible with scheduling, including occasional evening and weekend hours.

Sitting at the intersection of athletic fundraising and data-driven communications strategy, the Assistant Director of Development leads the direct appeal program for an athletics annual fund, managing sport-specific solicitations, monthly newsletters, and online giving channels. Operating across the development team, athletics external relations, and select sport programs, this role tracks and analyzes results to inform strategy and serves as a visible ambassador at home athletic events to cultivate donor relationships.

Duties

• Lead and execute the direct appeal strategy for the annual fund, including sport-specific appeals for varsity programs and all annual fund solicitations.
• Manage all annual giving communications, including monthly newsletters and benefit updates.
• Serve as the development liaison with the direct marketing team, the athletics external relations team, and select sport programs and club sports.
• Develop fundraising strategies and track and analyze results of development activities.
• Manage the online annual giving honor roll.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on overall results to internal and external constituencies as needed.
• Support the data needs of the annual giving team in partnership with the data analyst.
• Staff various events aimed to cultivate and steward annual giving prospects, including pregame hospitality events and receptions.
• Regularly attend home athletic events to serve as an ambassador of the annual giving program, maintain knowledge of sports programs, and increase visibility with donors, prospects, volunteers, coaches, student-athletes, and campus colleagues.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience with fundraising in a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including skill at articulating compelling cases for annual support.
• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies.
• Strong data analysis skills, including organizing and analyzing data sets.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with and develop relationships across a wide range of constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse communities to enhance overall development goals.
• Adept at problem-solving, creating contingency plans, and handling emergencies when necessary.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including the ability to set and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

A key member of the Academic Health Center development team, the Assistant Director of Development leads prospect qualification, solicitation, and gift closure in the $2,500–$10,000 range for assigned college programs, with heavy emphasis on growing a philanthropic pipeline through alumni, faculty, grateful patients, and community partners. Collaborating across senior development leadership and volunteer networks, this role implements strategies for special, major, and deferred gifts that advance the academic mission of the Health Center colleges.

Functions

• Develop and implement plans for achieving projected dollar goals for assigned projects each year.
• Manage solicitations and gift closures in the $2,500–$10,000 giving range.
• Devise and execute strategies for qualifying and cultivating assigned prospects for special, major, and deferred gifts through in-person solicitations.
• Build and qualify viable prospect lists for all projects, utilizing prospect research resources and consultation with relevant faculty, volunteers, and staff.
• Maintain an active schedule of personal visits with prospects.
• Provide guidance and support to volunteers involved with assigned fundraising projects and develop strategies to train and recruit new volunteers.
• Ensure appropriate stewardship of gifts and donors and maintain donor files and related reports.
• Complete other special assignments relating to awareness, involvement, and support as requested, in close collaboration with senior development leadership.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with one to three years of fundraising experience, preferably in a medical or healthcare setting.
• Understanding of basic scientific principles.
• Record of successful gift solicitation and closure.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to interact favorably with a diverse group of individuals and to foster strong, productive relationships.
• Willingness to travel and attend evening and weekend activities as needed, with a valid driver's license required.

Sustaining and expanding the philanthropic base of a college success nonprofit depends on the Assistant Director of Development, who leads donor portfolio management, grant writing, and the full communications and marketing strategy for CSF-DC in close collaboration with the Director of Development. Based within a cross-departmental fundraising environment, this role secures gifts at the major donor level, oversees digital and brand communications, and builds visibility with philanthropic organizations and peer networks to grow income for education-related programs.

Accountabilities

• Collaborate with the Director of Development to develop and implement new models of income generation for education-related programs and implement fundraising strategies to increase support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward gifts of all levels, managing a personal portfolio of major gift donors and prospects.
• Write and lead the development of grant proposals and reports, and manage the submission and agreement processes.
• Actively participate in prospect identification, moves management, pipeline development, and portfolio development.
• Represent the organization to key external audiences, including peer organizations, philanthropic organizations, and trade groups, to expand visibility and support.
• Provide oversight to the organization's communications and marketing, including newsletters, annual reports, the website, and social media.
• Oversee the preparation of marketing strategies and collateral related to all development activities.
• Plan and direct email and social media marketing efforts to support fundraising activities.
• Manage content and messaging for the website and digital communications, including targeted email marketing.
• Serve as the brand manager and develop key messages for all external communications.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree with eight to ten years of development experience required; advanced degree in non-profit management, marketing, or business preferred.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success securing gifts at the $10,000+ level and building major donor relationships.
• Experience in foundation fundraising, corporate community relations, and proposal development and writing.
• Experience planning and coordinating successful fundraising events.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies and writing winning proposals and fundraising collateral.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Proficiency in Adobe products, including InDesign and Photoshop.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge or other donor and constituent management software.
• Skills in basic web and online applications, internet search, and social media.
• Skills in financial management and demonstrated fiscal responsibility.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff and external partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated success communicating via both the written and spoken word.

As the Assistant Director of Development, this role leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of the annual fund and spring Gala for an independent school, managing solicitation and stewardship strategies for constituency groups including families, faculty, grandparents, and alumni parents. The Advancement team relies on this work to sustain a healthy culture of giving, advance the President's Circle, and support retention and community engagement through collaboration with admissions, marketing, and parent groups.

Job Functions

• Design, implement, manage, and evaluate all aspects of the annual fund strategy for constituency groups including new families, parents, faculty and staff, grandparents, and parents of alumni.
• Design, implement, manage, and evaluate all aspects of the annual gala for the same constituency groups.
• Strategize, plan, and manage the President's Circle, including developing and implementing solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship strategies and donor events.
• Carry out personal solicitations, cultivation, and stewardship of key major donors as assigned.
• Coordinate the development and production of the annual report.
• Coordinate with the alumni relations manager on alumni engagement activities.
• Work with the marketing and communications department to drive strategy and content for fundraising-related web pages.
• Assist with other fundraising and advancement department events and initiatives as requested.
• Collaborate with admissions, marketing and communications, and parent groups to support retention and community engagement activities.

Background & Experience

• Bachelor's degree and three to five years of direct fundraising experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with fundraising databases and school information systems, with knowledge of Veracross a bonus.
• Experience attending or working in an independent school preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with donors, board members, volunteers, staff, parents, and alumni.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects with multiple deadlines in a timely, organized manner and to juggle competing priorities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and the security of sensitive information.
• Flexible and adaptable in dealing with new, different, or changing requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and ability to learn and work with integrated database software.
• Willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

Assistant Director of Development builds and strengthens philanthropic relationships for Texas A&M University-Central Texas, its Foundation, and Alumni Association, overseeing daily advancement operations and serving as lead development officer across all three entities. The work directly supports the university's annual and long-range fundraising goals by managing major gift solicitations, stewardship plans, donor outreach communications, and foundation board coordination while supervising department staff.

Professional Experience

• Assist with the development of annual and long-range fundraising plans in collaboration with university stakeholders, including colleges, administrative units, and support organizations, and present goals and plans to the university community as appropriate.
• Engage in the identification, research, and personal solicitation for assigned major gift prospects, including preparing proposals for individuals, foundations, and corporate prospects.
• Build, maintain, and strengthen positive relations with individuals and organizations within the community to promote institutional mission and encourage contributions toward fundraising goals.
• Assist with the development and execution of stewardship plans and activities, ensuring appropriate recognition is given to each donor and preparing reports on funding usage, endowment status and performance, and student awardees.
• Assist with development of marketing strategies and publications for donor outreach, ensuring ongoing communication with prospects and donors through personal, telephonic, written, virtual, and social media channels.
• Support the planning, preparation, and execution of special events and meetings in support of fundraising goals and coordinate foundation board meetings.
• Manage daily operations associated with advancement functions and supervise department staff.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in an applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of related experience.
• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to multitask, work cooperatively with others, and handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Ability to organize, perform, and prioritize multiple tasks with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to travel via car and plane weekly and lift approximately 35 pounds per event.