DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

Cleveland State Community College; Cleveland (TN); On-site; USD 71,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision

Retirement options

Paid holidays

Job summary

Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee, seeks a Director of Advancement to lead fundraising and development, building donor relations and guiding major gifts and campaigns to support scholarships, programs, and capital needs.

Reporting to the President, the Director will work with the Foundation and college leadership to set priorities, manage events, and expand philanthropic opportunities across the service region. A bachelor’s degree and 6+ years in fundraising are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, development or related areas.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising efforts to support the College’s needs, including scholarships, programs, capital projects, and unbudgeted needs.
• Secure major gifts and other donations with current and prospective donors, and ensure proper stewardship of gifts.
• Develop and implement fundraising programs, campaigns, and events to expand philanthropic support and meet fundraising goals.
• Collaborate with donors and trustees to develop planned giving opportunities to provide long-term support.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Development events

Marketing/communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Number of Openings: 1

Institution: Cleveland State Community College

Department: Advancement

Reports to: President

Campus Location: Cleveland, Tennessee

Salary Range: $70,958-$88,698

Position Status: Exempt / Full-Time

Moving Allowance: N/A

Cleveland State Community College is a comprehensive, two-year post-secondary institution, located in Cleveland, Tennessee. Cleveland State is committed to providing open access and quality education to all students. A Tennessee Board of Regents institution, Cleveland State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). At Cleveland State, our mission is to build strong minds, careers and communities through exceptional teaching and learning, workforce development and service. We wish to hire individuals with similar values who can help us accomplish those goals.

Job Summary

The Director of Advancement provides leadership for the College’s fundraising and advancement efforts by developing and implementing strategies to secure philanthropic support. The Director builds and strengthens relationships with donors, alumni, community and business leaders, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities and advance the College’s priorities. The position leads major gifts, planned giving, and other fundraising initiatives that generate support for student scholarships, capital needs, academic and program support, and other emerging or unbudgeted needs of the College.

Minimum Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience in any combination of:
  • Fundraising or advancement (e.g., securing gifts, developing fundraising strategies, managing campaigns, etc.).
  • Donor relations and community engagement (e.g., developing relationships with donors, alumni, business leaders, foundations, or community partners, etc.).
  • Development and special events (e.g., planning fundraising events, campaigns, donor activities, or community events, etc.).
  • Marketing or communications (e.g., promoting programs, developing outreach strategies, managing events, or engaging target audiences, etc.).
• Valid driver’s license.

Essential Job Functions

Fundraising and Development (40%)

• Lead fundraising efforts to support the College’s needs, including scholarships, programs, capital projects, and unbudgeted needs.
• Secure major gifts and other donations with current and prospective donors, and ensure proper stewardship of gifts and funded projects.
• Develop and implement fundraising programs, campaigns, and special events to expand philanthropic support and meet or exceed annual fundraising goals established by the College President.
• Work with donors and trustees to develop planned giving opportunities, including estate and retirement gifts, to provide long-term financial support for the College.

Donor and Community Engagement (30%)

• Maintain a visible presence throughout the College’s service region by promoting the College, its programs and accomplishments, and its fundraising priorities, and by representing the College at community and fundraising events.
• Build and maintain relationships with donors, alumni, business and community leaders, trustees, foundations, and other supporters to increase awareness of and support for the College.
• Work with the Cleveland State Foundation and its trustees to support fundraising the College’s fundraising efforts and coordinate Foundation activities in consultation with the College President.

Advancement Leadership and Strategic Planning (25%)

• Work with the College President, Vice Presidents, and Deans to identify capital needs and establish advancement priorities aligned with the College’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with College leadership and internal and external stakeholders to align advancement efforts with institutional priorities and maximize philanthropic opportunities.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Advancement Coordinator in support of fundraising, donor relations, special events, and other advancement activities.
• Monitor advancement activities and fundraising results and provide regular updates to the College President and appropriate stakeholders.

Non-Essential Functions (5%)

• The Director of Advancement will be required to meet standards now required or which may be required by TBR (Tennessee Board of Regents) and SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
• May be required to achieve additional skills, knowledge, or credential levels.
• Must attend all college functions as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills And Responsibilities

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, attentive to detail, and manage stressful situations.
• Possess strong interpersonal communication skills and maintain focus with job responsibilities.
• Ability to work with a broad group of individuals both on campus and in the community.
• Proficient oral and written communication skills and strong organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of fundraising practices, including major gifts, planned giving, donor relations, and stewardship.
• Ability to develop and implement fundraising programs and meet established fundraising goals.
• Ability to build strong relationships with donors, alumni, community and business leaders, trustees, and other stakeholders.
• Preferred Experience:
  • Higher education fundraising, advancement, or development.

WORK ACTIVITIES & EQUIPMENT

Work activities routinely involve the use of standard office equipment, including computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, and other related devices. Employees are expected to perform tasks such as data entry, document preparation, email communication, and report generation using these tools.

JOB LOCATION

This on-site position is based in the Advancement Office located in the D.F. Adkisson Administration Building on the main campus of Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee. The role may involve travel across the college’s five-county region, as well as occasional travel to state meetings, conferences, and professional events. Additional travel within the service region for meetings, outreach, and program-related activities may also be expected.

Cleveland State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability (long and short term), FSA/H.S.A.
• Wellness Incentive Program (if enrolled in health)
• Educational Assistance: Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent Discounts, Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Longevity Pay
• Retirement Options: State of TN Pension (TCRS), 401a, 401k with $50 match, 403b, and 457
• Fourteen (14) Paid Holidays/Year
• Sick and Annual Leave
• Sick Leave Bank
• State Employee Discount Program with over 900 merchants

Cleveland State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities.

Applications can be assured full consideration if submitted by September 30, 2026

Cleveland State Community College

Human Resources Office

Telephone: [phone]; FAX: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.clevelandstatecc.edu

The following link will direct you to the College’s reporting section, where you can find information and resources for submitting reports related to discrimination and other concerns: How Do I Report