Assistant Director of Development

LSU FOUNDATION • Baton Rouge, LA

91d

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Development reports to the cohort lead and helps Louisiana State University grow its comprehensive gift pipeline by retaining and upgrading mid-level donors with annual giving capacity of $500–$24,999. The role combines traditional and non-traditional fundraising approaches and serves as an innovative model for engaging mid-level donors, recognizing their philanthropic potential, and building connections that may lead to new major gifts. It emphasizes personalized engagement and concierge service for donors and prospective donors.

The position manages a portfolio of approximately 300–400 donors and prospects. It develops and carries out cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; provides personalized outreach; advances donor relationships in ways that reflect individual interests and motivations; and records donor contacts in LSU’s donor database. The role also involves regular collaboration with colleagues, participation in team meetings and unit events, and other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in an environment requiring strong phone skills, including a warm tone, good speaking cadence, and clear, articulate speech.
• Excellent communication skills in person, in written correspondence, and when presenting synthesized data.
• Demonstrated professionalism, perseverance, optimism, and a positive attitude when working with donors and colleagues.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to be flexible and agile when programmatic changes occur.
• Ability to work extended workdays, evenings, and weekends when required to meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education or a philanthropic environment.
• In-depth knowledge of donor databases.
• Experience cultivating, soliciting, and/or stewarding donors.
• Desired competencies include collaboration, critical thinking, tenacity, and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 300–400 donors and prospects with expected annual giving capacity of $500–$24,999.
• Conduct thoughtful, personalized outreach by phone, mail, email, and visits when appropriate to build enduring relationships and deepen donor engagement and long-term philanthropic commitment.
• Develop, prioritize, and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies using a relationship-first approach.
• Move donors along the giving continuum in a manner that honors their interests and motivations.
• Consistently and appropriately record donor contacts in LSU’s donor database.
• Interact and collaborate regularly with colleagues and fellow team members.
• Attend team meetings.
• Attend unit events and programs to develop knowledge of the units’ programs, people, and fundraising priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level