Associate Director of Philanthropy, COA

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Daytona Beach (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

Tuition coverage

Retirement plan

Personal leave

Job summary

Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach seeks an Associate Director of Philanthropy for Aviation to support fundraising strategies for the College of Aviation. You will engage donors, alumni, industry partners, and campus stakeholders while coordinating events and campus visits.

The role reports to the Senior Executive Director of Philanthropy for Aviation and leads solicitation planning, grant development, donor stewardship, and data management in the CRM to advance annual

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; higher-ed fundraising experience preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of philanthropic fundraising experience.
• Proven ability to identify, cultivate and solicit donors at annual fund level.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work across departments with follow-through.
• Ability to manage confidential information and adapt to priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute solicitation plans to support the College's financial objectives.
• Cultivate donor relations and coordinate stewardship activities.
• Plan campus events and donor visits, and manage grant opportunities.
• Maintain accurate donor and prospect records in the CRM system.
• Collaborate with internal departments to support philanthropic initiatives.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor cultivation

Relationship management

Written communication

Presentation skills

Interpersonal skills

Cross-functional collaboration

CRM proficiency

Time management

Confidential information handling

Evenings/weekends flexibility

Driver's license

Budget tracking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM software

Job description

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Executive Director of Philanthropy for Aviation, the Associate Director of Philanthropy supports development efforts for the College of Aviation in Daytona Beach. In close collaboration with the Senior Executive Director, this position helps execute philanthropic strategies that strengthen the University's fundraising capacity and advance aviation-focused programs and initiatives.

The Associate Director engages donors, alumni, industry partners, and campus stakeholders; coordinates events and campus visits; supports grant development; maintains accurate donor records; and advances annual fund and other philanthropic priorities. The successful candidate is creative, self-motivated, high-energy, detail-oriented, and an outstanding communicator who can qualify and cultivate prospects for solicitation or referral to other gift officers.

Key Responsibilities

• Solicitation Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive plan to support the College's financial objectives, with an annual fundraising goal starting at $100,000.
• Donor Relations: Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective donors through effective communication, engagement, and follow-through that foster long‑term support.
• Event Coordination: Plan and manage small college events and campus tours, and execute sponsorship benefits in accordance with applicable agreements.
• Grant Writing: Identify grant opportunities, prepare proposals, and manage the application process to support annual fundraising goals.
• Database Management: Maintain accurate and timely donor and prospect records in the University's customer relationship management (CRM) system.
• College Liaison: Serve as a liaison for the College of Aviation and coordinate with internal departments to support philanthropic initiatives and priorities.

Essential Job Functions, Duties, and Accountabilities

• Prospect Qualification, Referral, and Solicitation - Annual Fund Level

Manage an assigned portfolio of approximately 125 prospects for qualification related to major gifts, the annual fund, College Philanthropy Councils, affinity groups, and other initiatives. Work within a fast‑paced cadence of outreach, cultivation, solicitation, and referral through email, telephone, and videoconference. Success will be measured by the volume and quality of prospects assessed, qualified, referred, and solicited.

• Research and identify grant opportunities, prepare compelling proposals, and manage the application process to secure foundation support.
• Donor Stewardship
• Work alongside the Senior Director of Stewardship to ensure College of Aviation donors receive exceptional stewardship commensurate with their level of giving, with the goal of increasing and renewing philanthropic support. Coordinate with Financial Aid to ensure College scholarships are awarded effectively and efficiently and that donors receive timely information about scholarship recipients.
• Coordinate with appropriate departments to execute sponsorship benefits, including press releases, signage, logo placement, and other deliverables outlined in sponsorship agreements.
• Unit Liaison and Support
• Serve as the PAE liaison for the College of Aviation and coordinate philanthropic marketing and communications, external communications, Career Services, Corporate Relations, and other partners as requested by the Senior Executive Director of Philanthropy for Aviation.
• Collaborate with the PAE Marketing and Communications team to create program and proposal materials for donor and prospect visits. Coordinate campus visits for industry partners, donors, and prospective donors. Work with Alumni Engagement and other PAE partners to facilitate giving campaigns, including faculty and staff campaigns and crowdfunding initiatives, as requested.

About us

For over 100 years, Embry‑Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next‑generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real‑world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry‑Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence-and help shape the future of aerospace.

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year. You'll also receive 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution - with no vesting period.
• Personal Leave: Relax with 15 days of personal leave for non‑exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full‑time employees in your first year.

Qualifications

• * Bachelor's degree.
• * At least three years of fundraising experience within higher education or a nonprofit organization.
• * Demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at the annual fund level.
• * Strong writing, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• * Ability to work collaboratively across departments with consistent and robust follow‑through.
• * Strong character and demonstrated integrity, care, honesty, and loyalty to the institution.
• * Ability to develop proficiency with the University's CRM software and generate and interpret prospect reports.
• * Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, changing priorities, and deadlines effectively.
• * Ability to adapt and remain resilient when confronted with challenges or changing priorities.
• * Ability to compile expense reports and appropriately plan and execute social engagement activities.
• * Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
• * Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• * Valid driver's license and the ability to drive safely and effectively.

Embry‑Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry‑Riddle makes employment decisions - including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment - based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry‑Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry‑Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school‑administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website.