Director of Development & External Relations

Alabama Community College System; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery, Alabama seeks a Director of Development and External Relations to lead institutional advancement, fundraising, and donor relations. The role drives annual giving, major gifts, endowments, grants, and alumni engagement while coordinating with the President and College leadership.

The position requires collaboration with the College Foundation, staff, and external partners to secure resources and support strategic priorities and student success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is required.
• Three years of fundraising experience in a college or nonprofit setting is required.
• Experience with alumni relations and/or volunteer development is required.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with campus priorities.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and steward major gifts and donor relationships.
• Manages donor portfolios and coordinates cultivation with College leadership.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Alumni relations

Volunteer development

Ability to work under pressure

Handle multiple priorities

Effective oral and writtenCommunic

PC, telephone, written media

Education

Bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Administrative computing systems

Job description

About the Department

The Director of Development and External Relations works under the direct supervision of the President. This position works collaboratively with the College leadership, the College Foundation, faculty, staff, alumni, community partners, and external funding organizations to secure financial resources that advance the College’s mission, vision, strategic priorities, and student success. The Director provides strategic leadership for the College’s institutional advancement efforts by developing and managing fundraising, grant development, alumni engagement, and donor relations initiatives, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of annual, major, and planned gifts from alumni, individuals, corporations, foundations, and other public and private funding sources. This position will also serve as the development liaison and provide support to other college fundraising special projects. The continuation of the position is contingent upon grant renewal. Salary Schedule: C3

Position Duties

1. Develops, implements, and evaluates a comprehensive institutional advancement and fundraising strategy aligned with the College’s mission, strategic plan, and institutional priorities.
2. Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individual, corporate, foundation, and public-sector donors through annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, endowments, sponsorships, memorial gifts, and special fundraising initiatives.
3. Establishes fundraising priorities and manages a portfolio of donor prospects while coordinating cultivation and solicitation strategies with the President and College leadership.
4. Develops and maintains strong relationships with donors, alumni, community leaders, corporations, foundations, sponsors, volunteers, and other philanthropic partners.
5. Monitors fundraising performance and prepares reports that measure progress toward fundraising goals and institutional objectives.

1. Research local, state, federal, corporate, and private funding opportunities that support College initiatives and strategic priorities.
2. Assists College departments in identifying external funding opportunities and coordinates grant development activities to increase institutional resources.
3. Collaborates with internal stakeholders to support proposal development, grant compliance, reporting requirements, and post-award stewardship.

1. Develops, implements, and manages a comprehensive alumni relations program designed to strengthen alumni engagement, volunteerism, and philanthropic support.
2. Maintains and expands an accurate alumni database and develops strategies to increase alumni participation and communication.
3. Recruits and coordinates alumni volunteers to support College programs, events, and institutional initiatives.
4. Plans, coordinates, and evaluates special events, donor recognition activities, alumni programs, and community engagement initiatives that promote the College and strengthen external relationships.

1. Collaborates with and provides administrative and strategic support to the College Foundation in accordance with Board policy and established governance practices.
2. Assists the Foundation Board and President in advancing fundraising priorities, donor stewardship, and community partnerships.

1. Maintains accurate, confidential, and secure donor, alumni, fundraising, and departmental records in accordance with College policies and applicable regulations.
2. Develops and maintains donor and prospect databases to support fundraising, stewardship, reporting, and relationship management.
3. Analyzes fundraising data and prepares regular reports for College leadership, the Foundation, granting agencies, accreditation, and other internal and external stakeholders.

1. Maintains current knowledge of best practices, emerging trends, and legal and ethical standards in fundraising, philanthropy, alumni engagement, and grants management.
2. Represents the College through professional organizations, community activities, conferences, and meetings at the local, state, and national levels.
3. Serves on College committees and participates in institutional planning, accreditation activities, and special projects as assigned.

1. Maintains the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical stewardship of institutional and donor information.
2. Supports accreditation, compliance, and institutional effectiveness initiatives by maintaining required documentation and records.
3. Performs other duties and special assignments as assigned by the President.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Three (3) years of experience in successful fundraising in a college or non-profit 501c-3 organization.
3. Experience with alumni relations and/or volunteer development.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

1. Ability to work well under pressure.
2. Ability to handle multiple priorities.
3. Effective oral and written communications skills.
4. Ability to function in an automated work environment.
5. Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and manage complicated tasks.
6. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and administrative computing systems.
7. Ability to communicate by using PC, telephone, and written, media.

Other Qualifications

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated on this vacancy notice and must submit a completed online application packet to be considered for this position. Applicants who fail to submit all required information will not be considered. Only applications received during the period of this announcement will be considered. A complete application packet consists of:

• Trenholm State Community College online employment application.
• A current resume, including three (3) references.
• Copy of transcripts that demonstrate the required educational qualifications must be included and must identify the applicant, institution, degree, and date conferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE VERIFICATION: Neither a resume nor an application is an appropriate verification of work experience. It is not our policy to contact current and/or previous employers to obtain employment verification. “Work experience verification is required in writing from your current and/or previous employer(s) confirming the required level of experience as stated in the “Minimum Qualifications” section and other related experience. Verification should include dates of employment and position title(s). Proof of work experience verification may be delayed until an official offer of employment using the Work Experience Verification form, which is found on the Human Resources home page. All work experience verification must be completed within 15 days following the employment offer.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Complete application files will be accepted by the Office of Human Resources on a continuous basis and remain active for one year for available positions. Incomplete application packets will eliminate the possibility of a position opportunity.

EEOC, E-VERIFY, BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENTS:Trenholm State Community College is an equal opportunity employer. It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, gender, religion, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. Trenholm State Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants or employees. Trenholm State Community College reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to the awarding. More than one position in the same job classification may be filled by the applicants for this position should another vacancy occur during the search process. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background investigation. This employer participates in E-Verify.

SUMMARY ABOUT US

H. Councill Trenholm State Community College (Trenholm State) is a comprehensive two-year community college in Montgomery, Alabama. The College offers associate transfer degrees, associate degrees, and certificates that lead directly to the workforce. Additionally, the College provides adult learning opportunities, civic, social, cultural, and personal development; business and industry training; and support for economic development in the central Alabama region. Trenholm State is part of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), governed by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees. The College operates multiple instructional sites, including the Trenholm Campus, the Patterson Site, and several off-campus instructional locations offering credit, non-credit, adult education, and dual enrollment programs. Trenholm State delivers additional educational and training services for Montgomery and the surrounding areas. For more information, please visit http://www.trenholmstate.edu.

Benefits

All regular full-time non-instructional staff earns one day of sick leave which is the equivalent of 8 hours of sick leave per month. Unused sick leave is rolled over to the following year. Upon retirement, employees are allowed to convert unused sick time into service time for the purpose of retirement. Further retirement benefits may be found on this page under Alabama Teacher’s Retirement. 8 hours per month (may accumulate an unlimited number). All regular full-time non-instructional staff earn annual leave per month. A complete description of leave benefits can be found with the Human Resources office. 0-4 years 8 hours per month 5-9 years 10 hours per month 10-14 years 12 hours per month 15-19 years 14 hours per month 20+ 16 hours per month (may accumulate up to 480 hours). All regular full-time non-instructional staff earns up to two (2) regularly scheduled workdays of personal leave per leave year. Unused Personal Leave converts to sick leave if not used. (converts to sick leave at the end of August each year if not used). Up to 10 days a year of professional development leave with pay may be granted by the President. New Year’s Day Martin Luther King/Robert E. Lee Birthday National Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving Day Christmas Eve Christmas Day 16 (5 locally assigned). 260 contracted work days. The TRS was established in 1939 to provide benefits to qualified persons employed by state-supported educational institutions. Responsibility for the management and administration of the TRS is vested in its Board of Control. The Boards of Control elect the Secretary-Treasurer who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the RSA and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RSA. The TRS is a defined benefit plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information visit The Retirement Systems of Alabama. All regular full-time and part-time employees (non-temporary and non- student) who work at least 20 hours per week are required to participate in The Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama. Tier I - Pays 7.50% monthly. State matches 14.57% (effective 10/01/25) Tier II – Pays 6.20% monthly. State matches 13.61% (effective 10/01/25) Law Enforcement Officers: Tier I-Pays 8.50% monthly. State matches 14.57% (effective 10/01/25) Tier II- Pays 7.20% monthly. State matches 13.61% (effective 10/01/25) PEEHIP, established in 1983, provides health insurance benefits for active and retired education employees and is governed by the PEEHIP Board of Control. For more information visit http://www.rsa-al.gov/index.php/members/peehip. Single $ 30 Family (without Spouse but with dependents) $ 207 Employee + Spouse (no dependents) $ 282 Family (with Spouse and dependents*)$ 307 *Includes $100 per month spousal surcharge Note: The spousal surcharge does not apply to spouses who are independently eligible for PEEHIP. Member $ 50 Spouse $ 50 The tobacco premium applies only to the PEEHIP Hospital Medical and VIVA Health plans. Refer to the Wellness Program section to learn how you and/or your spouse can receive the non-tobacco user discount. Member $ 50 Spouse $ 50 The wellness premium applies only to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Hospital Medical Group #14000 plan for non-Medicare eligible active and retired members, non-Medicare-eligible members on LOA or COBRA, and non-Medicare-eligible spouses on active or retired contracts. Refer to the Wellness Program section to learn how you and/or your spouse can receive a wellness premium waiver. If desired, the employee may elect four options rather than health insurance options to include hospital indemnity, cancer, dental, and vision.

• Cancer, Indemnity, and Vision Single or Family (cost per plan) $ 38
• Dental Single $ 38 Dental Family $ 50

Institution matches $800 monthly (effective 10/01/17). Duty Hours (hours vary by campus and needs of the student). Tuition Assistance This tuition waiver program is designed for all full-time instructional and non-instructional employees of The Alabama College System and the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education and their dependents as defined under by policy. The program will be coordinated by each institution for employees within The Alabama College System and the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. An application form for the tuition assistance program is available in the Human Resources office and should be completed prior to registration for classes. Employees/Dependents at two-year colleges: 1/3 waived after 1st year 2/3 waived after 2nd year 3/3 waived after 3rd year. Note: Employee is vested after 10 years in Retirement System. Additional information regarding retirement may be obtained from the Retirement System Web site at www.rsa.al.gov.

Supplemental Questions

01 DO you have a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution?

• yes
• no

02 Do you have Three(3) years of experience in successful fundraising in a college or non-profit 501c-3 organization?

• yes
• no

03 Do you have the ability to work well under pressure?

• yes
• no

04 Do you have the ability to handle multiple priorities?

• yes
• no

05 Do you have effective oral and written communication skills?

• yes
• no

06 Do you have the ability to function in an automated work environment?

• yes
• no

07 Do you have the ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and manage complicated tasks?

• yes
• no

08 Are you proficient in Microsoft word, excel, and administrative computing systems?

• yes
• no

09 Do you have the ability to communicate using PC, telephone, and written media?

• yes
• no

10 Will you be able to perform the job functions as stated in the posting with or without reasonable accommodations?

• yes
• no

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer: ACCS

Website: 1