Director of Development, Student Affairs

Kennesaw State University; Kennesaw (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel 25-49% of time

Driving required

Job summary

Kennesaw State University seeks a Director of Development for Student Affairs to lead major gift fundraising and donor engagement for assigned colleges and programs. The role emphasizes identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-value prospects on campus and beyond.

The position requires a bachelor's degree, a valid driver's license, and at least three years in related fundraising work; an advanced degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution in related field.
• Driver's license valid and unrestricted.
• Three (3) years of related work experience.
• Advanced degree preferred for added qualification.

Responsibilities

• Maintain contact with volunteers, prospects, donors and lapsed donors via in-person, email, Skype/Zoom or mail.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects for assigned areas.
• Focus on individual/corporate/foundation prospects at $100,000+ and gifts of $1 million or more.
• Coordinate solicitation and communicate with colleagues across the University.
• Research industry standards and best practices to stay competitive.
• Design solicitation strategies case-by-case based on needs and objectives.
• Assist Deans, Administration, Foundation, AVP and leadership in planning fundraising/alumni activities.
• Collaborate with KSU Alumni Association for engagement opportunities.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Solicitation strategies

Interpersonal skills

Strategic planning

Project management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Advanced degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Title: Director of Development, Student Affairs

Location: Kennesaw, Georgia

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 303022

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

Primary Location for Job Responsibilities

Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Job Summary

Responsible for major gift fundraising and support programs through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects for assigned colleges, centers, programs, institutes or special initiatives.

Responsibilities

• 1. Maintains continuous contact with key volunteers, prospects, donors and lapsed donors throughout the strategic assignments; communicates regularly in person, email, Skype, Zoom or via phone and mail
• 2. Responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift prospects for the assigned Colleges, Centers, Programs, Institutes and/or special initiatives
• 3. Focuses on individual, corporate and foundation prospects primarily at the $100,000 level and above, focusing on prospect gifts of $1 million or more
• 4. Coordinates solicitation and communicates frequently with colleagues in the department and across the University community
• 5. Researches industry standards, trends, breakthroughs and best practices
• 6. Implements changes to maintain competitiveness among peers and to meet agreed upon goals and objectives as determined by strategic plan and goals
• 7. Designs solicitation strategies on case-by-case basis, maintaining awareness of development and college office needs and procedures
• 8. Assist Deans, Administration, Foundation, AVP and other Division leadership in the planning and implementation of all fundraising and alumni activities
• 9. Assist/collaborate with the KSU Alumni Association to offer engagement opportunities with Nest activities and other alumni engagement strategies

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution of higher education in related field

Other Required Qualifications

Current, valid, and unrestricted driver's license

Required Experience

Three (3) years of related work experience

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in developing solicitation strategies
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards

Preferred Educational Qualifications

An advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a related field

Preferred Experience

• Experience in cultivating and soliciting major gifts of $50,000 and above from individual, foundation and corporate prospects; including campaign experience
• Prior experience in a college or university setting preferred, enthusiasm for fundraising in a comprehensive university, and the desire to work collegially within a goal-oriented fundraising organization

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Able to manage a significant volume of diverse tasks, activities and projects, including both tactical and strategic projects
• Able to maintain the highest standards of ethics, integrity, respect and humility
• Able to work strategically, develops and implements constituency programs and activities
• Able to encourage and motivate assigned volunteers
• Able to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time meeting assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledgeable of a donor database, contact management and tracking systems

SKILLS

• Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management and presentation skills
• Strong initiative, and a quick learner with ability to think strategically and analytically and the organizational skills to move from vision to action
• Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite)
• Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
• Strong customer service skills and phone and e‑mail etiquette

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, [e-mail].

Other Information

• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position has financial responsibilities.
• This position will be required to drive.
• This role is considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position may travel 25% - 49% of the time.
• This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Credit Report
• Standard Enhanced
• Education
• MVR

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility.

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf