Associate Director of Development

CASE; Arkadelphia (AR); Presencial; USD 55.000 - 85.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Henderson State University Advancement seeks a dynamic development professional to serve as Assistant/Associate Director of Development – Grants & Major Gifts. This frontline fundraiser will manage a major gifts portfolio and lead grant proposal development to support institutional priorities.

Working with university leadership, faculty, and staff, you will identify funding opportunities, coordinate proposals, monitor grant implementation, and ensure timely reporting and donor stewardship to

Formación

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred in related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Demonstrated project management and ability to manage multiple initiatives.

Responsabilidades

• Maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects and solicit gifts.
• Lead and manage grant development from identification to reporting.
• Coordinate development of competitive grant proposals with faculty and leadership.
• Track and monitor grants, budgets, and timelines; ensure sponsor compliance.
• Collaborate with campus partners to identify opportunities and align donor interests with priorities.
• Prepare reports for university leadership and participate in donor stewardship activities.

Conocimientos

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Multitasking

Travel flexibility

Evenings/weekends availability

Educación

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Descripción del empleo

The Henderson State University Advancement seeks a dynamic, relationship-driven development professional to serve as the Assistant/Associate Director of Development – Grants & Major Gifts. This position plays a critical role in advancing the University's strategic priorities through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.

Serving as both a frontline fundraiser and the University's grants developer, this position will maintain a portfolio of major gift prospects while leading the development and management of competitive grant proposals that support institutional priorities. Working collaboratively with university leadership, faculty, and staff, this individual will identify funding opportunities, coordinate proposal development, manage grant implementation, and ensure timely reporting and stewardship of awarded grants.

The successful candidate will demonstrate professional humility and be highly organized, relationship-oriented, collaborative, and passionate about helping Henderson transform the lives of students through philanthropy.

Primary Responsibilities

Major Gifts (Up to 40%)

• Maintain a portfolio of approximately 50 to 75 qualified major gift prospects.
• Develop and implement individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Conduct personal visits with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations.
• Solicit major gifts supporting university priorities.
• Prepare written proposals and gift agreements.
• Collaborate with university leadership to identify funding priorities.
• Partner with colleges and departments to match donor interests with institutional opportunities.
• Document donor activity in Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Meet annual fundraising metrics related to visits, proposals, solicitations, and dollars raised.

Grants Management (Up to 60%)

Grant Development

• Proactively identify grant opportunities from private foundations, corporations, state agencies, and federal agencies.
• Develop an annual grants prospect calendar.
• Research funding priorities that align with Henderson's strategic initiatives.

Proposal Development

• Coordinate development of competitive grant proposals.
• Partner with faculty, deans, department chairs, and university leadership.
• Gather institutional data, budgets, narratives, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure all submissions meet sponsor requirements and deadlines.

Grant Management

• Serve as the University's central grants coordinator by:
• Monitoring awarded grants.
• Tracking budgets and expenditures.
• Maintaining grant timelines.
• Coordinating project implementation.
• Ensuring compliance with grant requirements.
• Working with Finance to monitor expenditures.
• Preparing interim and final reports.
• Coordinating grant closeout activities.

Campus Collaboration

• Meet regularly with faculty and staff to identify emerging funding opportunities.
• Educate campus partners on grant opportunities and processes.
• Assist in developing projects suitable for external funding.
• Build relationships with foundation program officers and grant‑making organizations.

Additional Responsibilities

• Prepare reports for University leadership.
• Assist with campaign planning.
• Attend Advancement events.
• Participate in donor stewardship activities.
• Represent Henderson at community and professional events.
• Pursue professional development and leadership opportunities within the profession.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in development, fundraising, grants administration, nonprofit management, and related field.
• Exceptional written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong project management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel.
• Onsite work in a dynamic professional setting; ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience securing private foundation or federal grants.
• Experience managing major gift portfolios.
• Experience in higher education.
• Knowledge of Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Experience using grants management databases.