Director Development

University of Akron; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Arrangement

Retirement plan options (403(b)/457(b)

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

The University of Akron seeks an experienced fundraiser to direct activities targeting individuals, corporations and foundations to broaden funding sources for departments and colleges. You will build relationships with alumni, friends, foundations and corporations to increase philanthropic support.

Responsibilities include cultivating donor relationships, traveling to meet donors, soliciting gifts, and collaborating with faculty to raise the university’s visibility and support.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate and steward donor relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication for persuasive proposals and case statements.
• Experience building donor pipelines and meeting fundraising goals.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with alumni, friends, foundations and corporations to increase support.
• Identify, cultivate and steward donor relationships; set long-range engagement plans.
• Travel to meet donors and close gifts via in-person, phone, and proposals.
• Collaborate with colleges and faculty on programs to raise visibility and donations.
• Attend events and manage special initiatives to boost philanthropic activity.

Skills

Donor relations

Philanthropy

Communication

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Travel

Proposal writing

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Photoshop

InDesign

Job description

Job Summary:

Direct the fund-raising activities targeted at individuals, corporations and foundations to broaden the base of funding sources for specific departments/colleges of the University. Responsibly for building relationships with alumni, friends, foundation and corporations to increase philanthropic support.

Essential Functions:

Understand the mission and needs of The University of Akron and build relationships with alumni, friends, foundations, and corporations to increase philanthropic support. Identify, cultivate, and steward donor relationships, implementing short- and long-range strategic plans to guide engagement and meet fundraising goals. Pursue donor connections and capacity, aligning donor interests and passions with opportunities at the University to generate gifts. Travel to donors as needed. Solicit for gifts (and know how to close a gift) via face-to-face meetings, creative proposals, phone calls, letters, emails, and special events—annual metrics that will determine success in the position. Implement and maximize stewardship opportunities to enhance relationships and continue positive momentum. Display exceptional interpersonal skills that help build rapport and trust among a diverse group of donors and colleagues, as well as faculty and staff across the University. Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, especially the ability to write grammatically correct letters, persuasive proposals, endowment descriptions, and case statements. Work with colleagues, faculty, and staff to plan and execute programs and activities that raise the visibility of the University and generate support; responsibilities may include managing college boards, planning special events, and promoting seminars that highlight UA’s areas of expertise. Attend work-related events that occur outside of the traditional workday, including weekends. Understand and efficiently use Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel; knowledge of Adobe products such as Photoshop and InDesign a plus.

Additional Position Information:

Education: Requires a relevant Bachelor's Degree. Licenses/Certifications/Requirements: Valid driver's license – State of Ohio Experience: Requires a minimum of 4 years of experience in fundraising or alumni relations, or sales and marketing. Alternatively, significant experience working in higher education with demonstrated leadership supporting a college or a dean. Higher education fundraising preferred.

Compensation:

The compensation for this position is commensurate with experience.

Application Deadline:

Review of candidates will begin September 3, 2026.

FLSA Status (exempt/nonexempt):

United States of America (Exempt)

Background Check Statement

The University of Akron is committed to providing a safe environment for all students and employees. The University endeavors to protect the health, welfare and safety of all students, employees and visitors on our campus. As such, all offers of employment with The University of Akron are contingent upon verification of credentials, and satisfactory completion of a criminal background check. Some positions may require additional credit investigation and a pre-employment driving record search.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution. View our Non-Discrimination Statement for more information. Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

State of Residence Statement

It is the expectation of the University of Akron that all work performed as an employee of the University will be performed in Ohio.

The University of Akron empowers our people to flourish by delivering an applied and community-connected educational experience and cultivating research excellence. Leveraging our passion and expertise, we create innovative academic opportunities, support the well-being of our students and employees, and prioritize community embeddedness and engagement to impact lives through transformative experience. Through this focus, UA aspires to be the leader in community-focused higher education. The University of Akron is a lifelong learning partner, recognizing and valuing diverse learning experiences and combining traditional classroom experiences with innovative and robust approaches. As Zips, we prioritize the well-being of our students and employees, cultivate a culture and community where all can flourish, and act as responsible stewards of our resources and infrastructure by leveraging data to differentiate our processes and systems. We leverage our urban campus as a responsive and reliable partner to identify and meet the needs of the region. We intentionally contribute to economic and workforce development and civic life through research, innovation and engagement to provide community-embedded experiential learning opportunities that will enhance the UA experience for all students. We welcome candidates who are passionate about shaping and inspiring the next generation of thinkers, experts, artists and leaders. For more information about The University of Akron or the Akron community please visit our About UA page.

Benefits

• The University of Akron offers a competitive total compensation package comprised of a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, and paid leave of absences including time off for illness, vacation, and maternity or paternity leave.
• All staff and eligible non-bargaining unit faculty have the option to request a Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA).
• The University of Akron participates in state retirement systems and offers alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.
• Optional investment opportunities are available including deferred compensation programs (403(b) and 457(b)).

Please visit our benefits home page for more information.