Assistant Director of Development

LSU Foundation; Baton Rouge (LA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

LSU Foundation seeks an Assistant Director of Development to grow LSU’s mid-level donor pipeline and deliver concierge service to supporters. You will manage a 300-400 donor portfolio, drive personalized outreach, and advance gifts in the $500–$24,999 range with a relationship-first approach.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree and experience in fundraising or donor databases, plus exceptional communication and teamwork. On-site at LSU Baton Rouge.

Qualifications

• Experience in fundraising or donor relations is preferred.
• Strong phone communication and active listening skills.
• Ability to manage multiple donor relationships with professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 300-400 donors and prospects with giving capacity up to $24,999.
• Conduct personalized outreach via phone, mail, email, and visits to deepen engagement.
• Develop cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies with a relationship-first approach.
• Record all donor contacts in LSU’s donor database and collaborate with the team.
• Participate in team meetings and unit events as needed.

Skills

Phone skills

Donor stewardship

Relationship management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Donor database

Job description

Introduction

The Assistant Director of Development plays a critical role in LSU’s effort to grow our comprehensive gift pipeline by retaining and upgrading mid-level donors. This transformational role involves both traditional and non-traditional aspects of fundraising, serving as an innovative model for engaging with mid-level donors while recognizing and maximizing their philanthropic potential.

Overview

The Assistant Director of Development, reporting to the cohort lead, plays a critical role in LSU’s effort to grow our comprehensive gift pipeline by retaining and upgrading mid-level donors ($500-$24,999). This transformational role involves both traditional and non-traditional aspects of fundraising, serving as an innovative model for engaging with mid-level donors while recognizing and maximizing their philanthropic potential. This position involves delivering a personal touch with every engagement, providing concierge service to donors and prospective donors and build stronger connections in the pursuit of new major gifts for Louisiana State University.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 300-400 donors and prospects with expected annual giving capacity in the $500- $24,999 range.
• Execute thoughtful, personalized outreach via phone, mail, email, and visits when appropriate, with a focus on building enduring relationships that deepen engagement and long-term philanthropic commitment.
• Develop, prioritize, and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that reflect a relationship-first approach.
• Move donors along the continuum in a way that honors their interests and motivations, while consistently and appropriately recording all donor contacts in LSU’s donor database.
• Interact and collaborate with colleagues and fellow team members on a regular basis.

Non-essential/marginal position responsibilities

• Attend team meetings
• Attend unit events and programs to develop a deep knowledge of the units’ programs, people, and fundraising priorities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Required level/type of experience and/or years of experience

• Experience in an environment that required strong phone skills, for example: warm tone, good speaking cadence, clear and articulate speech

Preferred level/type of experience and/or years of experience

• Experience in higher education or philanthropic environment
• Possess in-depth knowledge about donor databases
• Experience cultivating, solicitating, and/or stewarding donors

Preferred abilities

• Excellent communication skills in-person, through written correspondence and with presentation of synthesized data.
• Demonstrate professionalism, perseverance, optimism, and a positive attitude when working with donors and colleagues
• Ability to balance multiple projects and tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work both independently and as a part of a team
• Ability to be flexible and agile with programmatic changes

Required education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Desired competencies

Collaboration: Works collegially with others, cooperating in both interpersonal and team relationships; fosters enthusiasm and maintains mutual trust, candor, and respect.

Critical Thinking: Practices objective rather than subjective modes of reasoning and action. Maintains perspective when assessing qualitative and quantitative information. Appropriately challenges and questions common beliefs.

Tenacity: Achieves a desired outcome in the face of setbacks, obstacles, or challenging circumstances.

Professionalism: Thinks carefully about the likely effects on others of one’s words, actions, appearance, and mode of behavior.

Work Environment Requirements

• May be required to work extended workdays, evenings, and weekends to meet deadlines