Assistant Director of Development, Warner College of Natural Resources

Colorado State Univ Foundation • Fort Collins, CO

10h • $65,000 - $75,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Development (ADOD) cultivates new donor relationships, generates philanthropic support, and stewards gifts for the Warner College of Natural Resources (WCNR). Working with the WCNR development team, CSU Foundation colleagues, and college partners, the ADOD conducts meaningful donor outreach and helps engage donors in support of the College. The position operates in a fast-paced, metrics- and results-driven fundraising environment and requires focus, professionalism, and effective teamwork.

The ADOD manages a portfolio of 125 prospects and cultivates donor relationships toward philanthropic gifts of $50,000 or more. The role develops persuasive proposals aligned with donor interests and the College’s fundraising goals, stewards and retains current donors, and builds a pipeline of new major-gift prospects. The ADOD also contributes to development strategy, works with alumni, donors, parents, students, faculty, and the dean, and maintains confidentiality while following gift acceptance, recording, and acknowledgment procedures.

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Fort Collins, Colorado, reporting to the Executive Director of Development for the Warner College of Natural Resources. The annual salary range is $65,000–$75,000. The role requires willingness to work non-standard hours and travel nationally.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• At least three years of experience in fundraising, donor/alumni relations, or Advancement/Development at a higher education institution or nonprofit; equivalent relationship-building experience in a complex organization such as sales, banking, business development, client management, or marketing is also accepted.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences.
• Willingness to work non-standard hours and travel nationally.
• Valid driver’s license, or ability to obtain one or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date, and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated success in donor qualification and cultivation.
• Ability to identify and build relationships and connect donor or client interests with opportunities in a complex organization.
• Understanding of proposal and development writing, fundraising principles, and techniques.
• Strong understanding of and passion for natural resources.
• Adaptability to changing priorities and a fast-paced environment.
• Understanding of fundraising areas including annual funds, corporate relations, foundation relations, planned giving, stewardship, and major-gift fundraising.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification and/or a master’s degree.
• Effective problem-solving skills and ability to manage demanding work situations.
• Ability to work effectively with academic and administrative leaders, faculty, and volunteer partners while building prospective donor relationships.
• Collaborative and congenial attitude, team-building ability, and openness to promoting new ideas.
• Ability to exercise initiative, independent judgment, self-motivation, and discretion.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and CRM systems such as Salesforce.

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate new donor relationships toward philanthropic support of $50,000 or more.
• Manage a complex portfolio of 125 prospects through strategic planning and execution to meet performance metrics.
• Write, prepare, and present persuasive proposals connecting donor interests with the College’s fundraising mission and goals.
• Steward and retain current donors while developing a pipeline of new major-gift prospects.
• Make independent decisions that contribute to unit goals and metrics, raise staff productivity, and use resources effectively.
• Influence and drive development strategy, relationships, and best practices as a member of the development team.
• Engage alumni, donors, parents, and students, and work with cross-campus colleagues to achieve short- and long-term fundraising goals.
• Collaborate with faculty and the dean to enhance programs benefiting students and faculty.
• Maintain confidentiality and follow industry policies and procedures for accepting, recording, and acknowledging gifts.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Generous paid time off
• Employee Assistance Program
• CSU Foundation-sponsored life insurance
• Voluntary 403(b) tax-deferred annuity retirement plan option
• 401(a) defined contribution retirement plan with an employer contribution of 12% of annual salary at no cost to the employee, subject to a two-year vesting schedule

What This Job Offers

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