Director of Development

Dakota State University • Madison, SD

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Dakota State University is seeking a relationship-driven and results-oriented Director of Development to join the DSU Foundation and Institutional Advancement team. This position is responsible for building relationships and securing philanthropic support for Dakota State University through the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field is required.
• Previous fundraising, development, sales, business development, or relationship management experience.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to listen effectively and develop meaningful connections.
• Ability to confidently engage prospective donors and ask for philanthropic support to advance the university’s mission and fundraising goals.
• Willingness to travel as needed to meet with donors, attend events, and represent the university.
• Participate in occasional evening and weekend activities, including fundraising and alumni engagement events.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Conduct meaningful in-person and virtual donor visits.
• Build relationships with alumni, individuals, businesses, and other philanthropic partners.
• Personally solicit major and leadership gifts, multi-year commitments, endowed gifts, and other philanthropic support.
• Prepare correspondence, proposals, briefing materials, and other donor communications.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor contact reports, moves, proposals, and strategies in Raiser’s Edge
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to assigned development staff.
• Participate in prospect strategy meetings and assist in developing campaigns, major gift initiatives, corporate partnerships, and other fundraising priorities.
• Develop and implement meaningful stewardship strategies for assigned donors.
• Participate in Foundation, University, alumni, athletic, and community events that provide opportunities to cultivate and steward donors.
• Travel as necessary to meet with donors and prospects.

Benefits

• Flexible benefits package – health, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, hospital indemnity insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, health reimbursement account.
• South Dakota Retirement System. Employees receive 6% fully matched contributions from SDRS and are vested after three years of service.
• Paid time off – full time 12-month employees earn 15 days per year of annual leave and 14 days of sick leave per year.
• In addition, employees receive 11 federal paid holidays.
• Reduced tuition for education.
• Professional liability coverage
• Paid family leave

What This Job Offers

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