Development Officer/Associate Director of Development

Utah State University•Logan, UT

About The Position

The College of Engineering (CoE) at Utah State University is entering an exciting era of growth and innovation. With the recent inclusion of Computer Science and plans to establish new programs in Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and the School of Computing in the coming years, the college is expanding both its academic reach and its impact. Corporate partners and alumni are stepping forward to support these initiatives, creating new opportunities for transformative philanthropy. The Development Officer / Associate Director of Development will play a pivotal role in engaging donors and partners to advance these priorities. This position is responsible for the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects, linking donor passions with the college’s mission and emerging opportunities. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development for CoE, this role participates in strategy development for the college’s advancement team, manages a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, and serves as a visible ambassador for the College of Engineering. The successful candidate will build strong, collaborative relationships with the Dean, department heads, faculty, and university partners to secure significant private support for the college’s strategic priorities. This position will be hired at either a Development Officer or Associate Director of Development based upon duties assigned and qualifications of the candidate. (See Qualifications section.)

Requirements

For Development Officer I: Bachelor’s degree in a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
For Associate Director of Development (Development Officer II): Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus two years of related experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
For both levels: Proven ability to engage in complex gift conversations, with a record of closing significant gifts or contracts.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior administrators, faculty, and advisory boards.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Experience leading or mentoring staff and working collaboratively within a team.
Commitment to inclusion and a respectful environment in donor engagement and workplace culture.
Willingness and ability to travel extensively.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Experience with capital campaigns.

Responsibilities

Work with the Sr. Director of Development for CoE to set program goals aligned with the College as well as the university fundraising priorities.
Qualify, cultivate, solicit, recognize, and steward donors with the capacity to give $50,000 or more.
Develop and implement customized strategies for each donor/prospect, aligning philanthropic interests with college priorities, including the growth of Computer Science, and the launch of Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and the School of Computing.
Engage corporate partners in supporting research, student opportunities, and innovation initiatives tied to the college’s expansion.
Manage and optimize program resources, including budgets and timelines, to ensure efficient operations.
Serve as an active partner to the Dean and other academic leaders, providing strategic guidance for development activities and engaging advisory councils or campaign committees as appropriate.
Utilize advancement tools to track donor engagement, report progress, and manage donor pipelines.
Build a comprehensive understanding of gift vehicles—including cash, securities, planned gifts, and real property—to develop tailored proposals.
Work closely with Advancement Services data team to request and refine travel and prospect lists that align with campaign goals.
Travel frequently to meet with donors, alumni, and corporate partners; evening and weekend work may be required.
Stay informed on fundraising trends, technologies, and best practices to improve fundraising and college advancement effectiveness.
Work closely with Advancement Services to ensure accurate gift processing and donor acknowledgment.
Collaborate with university advancement colleagues, faculty, and administrators to identify, engage, and solicit major gift prospects.
Represent the College of Engineering at events, alumni gatherings, and other public functions to promote its mission and achievements.