Director/Senior Director of Development

Director/Senior Director of Development; Edwardsville (IL); Presencial; USD 70.000 - 123.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) invites applications for Director/Senior Director of Development to advance major gifts supporting the University's priorities. The person will manage a portfolio of donors, identify opportunities, deepen engagement, and convert interest into commitments.

Working with academic and administrative leaders, they will align donor interests with SIUE priorities, build trust, and mobilize support to expand opportunities for students and regional impact.

Formación

• Bachelor's Degree required with progressive experience in communications, partnerships, alumni relations, or fundraising
• Demonstrated success planning and executing fundraising plans
• Outstanding planning, organization and verbal/written communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office and use of relational databases, preferably Raiser's Edge
• Ability to handle sensitive materials with confidentiality and discretion
• Higher education fundraising experience preferred

Responsabilidades

• Advance strategic major gift opportunities through portfolio管理 and cultivation.
• Build donor-centered relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations.
• Align institutional priorities with philanthropic opportunities and produce persuasive proposals.
• Exercise sound judgment, anticipate next steps and manage competing priorities.
• Drive execution with a productive pipeline and effective stewardship.

Conocimientos

Donor relations

Fundraising

Portfolio management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Educación

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Herramientas

Microsoft Office

Raiser's Edge

Descripción del empleo

Director/Senior Director of Development (AP27-024)

The Opportunity

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) invites applications for the position of Director/Senior Director of Development to advance major philanthropic investments supporting the University's institutional priorities. The successful candidate will build relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, and community partners to secure significant gifts and expand SIUE's impact.

Managing a portfolio of current and prospective major gift donors, the Director/Senior Director will identify opportunities, deepen engagement, and develop strategies that turn philanthropic interest into meaningful commitments. Success requires strategic thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to anticipate opportunities, prioritize resources, and translate emerging possibilities into actionable plans.

In partnership with academic and administrative leaders, the Director/Senior Director will connect donor interests with compelling university priorities, building trust and engaging stakeholders to advance shared goals.

Institutional and Fundraising Context

SIUE: Shaping the Future of Our Region

For nearly 70 years, SIUE has transformed lives, expanded opportunity, and helped shape the Metro East and greater St. Louis region. With more than 127,000 alumni and a regional economic impact exceeding $1.3 billion, SIUE drives individual achievement, workforce development, innovation, and stronger communities.

Through student success initiatives, hands-on learning, research, and community partnerships, SIUE prepares future professionals and applies knowledge to pressing regional challenges. As the University approaches its 70th anniversary in 2027, philanthropy will help build on this legacy opening doors for students, developing regional talent, advancing innovative solutions, and creating lasting community impact.

Priorities for the Director/Senior Director of Development

Advance strategic major gift opportunities. Manage and grow a portfolio of prospective and current donors, prioritizing opportunities and advancing relationships from cultivation through solicitation and stewardship.

Build influential, donor-centered relationships. Understand donor motivations, build trust with alumni, friends, and partners, and connect philanthropic interests with compelling SIUE priorities.

Align institutional priorities with philanthropic opportunity. Partner with academic and administrative leaders to identify funding needs, develop persuasive proposals, and connect donor interests with university goals.

Exercise sound judgment and anticipate opportunity. Assess prospect readiness, anticipate next steps and challenges, manage competing priorities, and adapt strategies to sustain fundraising momentum.

Drive execution and results. Maintain a productive pipeline through effective portfolio management, consistent follow-through, thoughtful stewardship, progress tracking, and collaboration.

The Successful Candidate

The successful candidate will be a thoughtful, relationship-focused development professional who recognizes opportunities, makes sound decisions, and turns plans into results. They will be curious and eager to learn, able to manage competing priorities, and confident taking on challenges while valuing collaboration and counsel.

They will understand donor motivations, communicate effectively, build strong relationships, and connect philanthropic interests with SIUE's priorities. Passion for the University's mission, initiative, adaptability, and a commitment to building lasting partnerships will be essential.

Why SIUE?

SIUE offers the opportunity to connect philanthropic vision with meaningful institutional and regional impact. The Director/Senior Director will help turn the generosity of alumni, friends, and partners into investments that strengthen the University, expand student opportunities, and advance the future of the Metropolitan St. Louis region.

Salary Range: $69,599-$122,635 (Based on Qualifications)

FLSA: Exempt

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Director of Development:

• Bachelor's Degree
• At least 3 years of full-time, progressively responsible experience in communications, organizational partnerships, alumni relations, or fundraising experience preferably in higher education
• Demonstrated success and evidence of ability to plan and execute communications, alumni relations, or fundraising plans
• Outstanding planning, organization and oral and written communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs and use of relational databases, preference for Blackbaud Raiser's Edge.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive materials and maintain strict confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree
• Preferred Fundraising campaign management experience
• Preferred knowledge of the St. Louis regional and Metro-East area and business communities
• Preferred Blackbaud Raiser's Edge knowledge/experience

Senior Director of Development:

• Bachelor's Degree
• At least 7 years of full-time, progressively responsible fundraising experience, including major gift fundraising experience preferably in higher education
• Demonstrated success and evidence of ability to plan and execute cultivation and fundraising plans
• Outstanding planning, organization and oral and written communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs and use of relational databases, preference for Blackbaud Raiser's Edge
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive materials and maintain strict confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree
• Preferred fundraising campaign management experience
• Preferred knowledge of the St. Louis regional and Metro-East area and business communities
• Preferred CFRE certification
• Preferred Blackbaud Raiser's Edge knowledge/experience

Supplemental Information

Application Materials and Information:

To be eligible for the role, ensure that your application includes a complete and detailed employment history that highlights your relevant full-time and part-time work experience, including start and end dates of employment, and at least three professional references.
You are strongly encouraged to submit a resume and/or cover letter to provide additional context and showcase your qualifications.
Applicants who feel their credentials and prior experience align with the listed minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply. In the application or within the cover letter and resume clearly describe how your credentials and relevant work experience align with the specified minimum requirements of the position.
Applications must be submitted by the specified closing date no later than 11:59 p.m. CST.
Pre- Employment Screening: All external candidates who receive a job offer will be required to undergo pre-employment screening for this position. The screening process will encompass a criminal background check and, where applicable, other background checks such as a drug screen, verification of employment and education or licensure/certification, reference checks, and/or checks with relevant government registries. Please note that all job offers are contingent upon successful completion of the required screening process.

Visa Sponsorship & F-1/J-1 Visas

SIUE will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States and visa sponsorship for this position will not be provided.
International students at SIUE on F-1 or J-1 visas are not eligible for full-time or part-time civil service positions with permanent status.

E-Verify

SIUE is not currently enrolled in or participating in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify program.

SIUE does not use E-Verify to electronically confirm the employment eligibility of newly hired employees through the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security databases. Therefore, the University cannot legally employ individuals who are on OPT STEM Extension, as we cannot provide an E-Verify case number, participation confirmation, or related documentation.

SIUE complies with all applicable federal employment eligibility verification requirements, including completion and maintenance of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for all employees as required under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).

Accommodation:

If you are unable to utilize our online application system and need to request an accommodation, please reach out to us at 618-650-2190 or via email at [e-mail].

EEO Statement

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is an equal opportunity employer and thus prohibits discrimination against employees, applicants for employment and students on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status.

We value your interest and look forward to reviewing your application. For questions or more information, email: [e-mail]