Associate Director of Development, for the School of Music

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance

Retirement Programs

Paid Tuition

Dependent Scholarships

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

13 Paid Holidays (including anextended

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

University of South Carolina’s School of Music Development Office seeks an Associate Director of Development to grow the major gifts donor pipeline and lead lead annual gift fundraising. You will manage donor portfolios, solicit prospects, and coordinate with internal partners to advance philanthropic giving.

The role involves strategic engagement, stewardship, and relationship management, guiding donors along the giving continuum in a fast-paced university setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 years of fundraising or development experience in higher education.
• Experience cultivating and soliciting donors/prospects to increase major gifts and annual giving.

Responsibilities

• Support the management and operations of Development for the School of Music.
• Grow the major gift donor pipeline and lead annual gifts.
• Cultivate and advance donor relationships and portfolios.
• Collaborate across the Division of Development.
• Identify, cultivate, and advance donors toward major gift readiness.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor relationship management

Project management

Collaboration & partnerships

Communications

Ethical fundraising

Strategic engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Blackbaud CRM

Job description

Associate Director of Development, for the School of Music Department: DEV Development Office Advertised Salary Range: Part/Full Time: Full Time

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Inclusive Excellence Statement

Under limited supervision, reporting to the Lead Senior Director of Development (Lead Senior DOD) for the School of Music (School), the Associate Director of Development (Associate Director) supports the management and operations of Development through growing the major gift donor pipeline and maintaining attention to lead annual gift fundraising for the School. The Associate Director responsibilities include collaboration and partnerships internal and external across the Division of Development. Cultivates and solicits a portfolio to grow major gifts and lead annual gifts from donor/prospect portfolios for the School. The Associate Director plays a key role in strengthening the donor pipeline by identifying, cultivating, and advancing annual giving donors toward major gift readiness through strategic engagement, stewardship, and donor relationship management.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and methods of planning and conducting a comprehensive major and lead annual gifts fundraising program.
• Strong knowledge in qualifying and experience soliciting donors/prospects to increase fundraising strategies that increase donor participation retention and philanthropic investment advancing assigned unit.
• Ability to manage complex projects while also managing relationships with colleagues and supervising others.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with staff, faculty, alumni, donors, students, volunteers, businesses, external vendors, and the general public to cultivate long-term donor relationships and strategically advance donors along the giving continuum.
• Work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking while applying sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity.
• Outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills.
• Ability to adhere to industry guidelines, methodologies and code of ethics statements as defined by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and other professional organizations and associations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 years of fundraising or development experience in higher education and/or hybrid development model.
• Familiarity with Blackbaud CRM donor database analytics to inform fundraising strategies and identify donor upgrade opportunities preferred.

Job Close Date 11/21/2026

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.