Executive Director, Foundation

CASE; Heathrow (FL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

Seminole State College of Florida Foundation seeks an accomplished advancement leader to serve as Executive Director of the Foundation and guide philanthropic strategy and resource development in support of the College’s mission.

The Executive Director reports to the College President, acting as the Foundation’s chief advancement officer and member of the executive leadership team. Responsibilities include fundraising, donor cultivation, governance, and financial stewardship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, advancement, public relations, or a related field.
• Experience with donor management systems, prospect research, and fundraising data.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, capital campaigns, corporate and foundation partnerships, grants, and planned giving.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, government entities, community organizations, and other external partners.
• Serve as Executive Officer of the Foundation and provide strategic leadership to the Foundation Board of Directors, including governance, engagement, and strategic planning.
• Partner with the College President and senior leadership to advance institutional priorities and philanthropic opportunities.
• Lead community and external engagement efforts and serve as an ambassador for the College and Foundation.
• Oversee Foundation financial management, budgeting, internal controls, reporting, audits, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Oversee grants and alumni engagement strategies to strengthen the Foundation’s overall advancement efforts.
• Recruit, develop, and lead Foundation staff while building organizational capacity and a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Board governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Donor management software

Job description

Seminole State College of Florida is seeking an accomplished advancement leader to serve as Executive Director of the Foundation and lead philanthropic strategy and resource development in support of the College’s mission and strategic priorities.

Reporting to the College President, the Executive Director serves as the Foundation’s chief advancement officer and a member of the College’s executive leadership team. The position provides strategic leadership for fundraising, donor cultivation and stewardship, Foundation Board governance, financial stewardship, external relations, and organizational operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, capital campaigns, corporate and foundation partnerships, grants, and planned giving.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, government entities, community organizations, and other external partners.
• Serve as Executive Officer of the Foundation and provide strategic leadership to the Foundation Board of Directors, including governance, engagement, and strategic planning.
• Partner with the College President and senior leadership to advance institutional priorities and philanthropic opportunities.
• Lead community and external engagement efforts and serve as an ambassador for the College and Foundation.
• Oversee Foundation financial management, budgeting, internal controls, reporting, audits, and long-term financial sustainability.
• Oversee grants and alumni engagement strategies to strengthen the Foundation’s overall advancement efforts.
• Recruit, develop, and lead Foundation staff while building organizational capacity and a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, advancement, public relations, or a related field.
• Experience with donor management or advancement systems, prospect research, and fundraising data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Higher education experience.
• Experience leading comprehensive fundraising programs and/or working with a nonprofit or higher education foundation and Board of Directors.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will bring a strong record of fundraising and relationship development, executive presence, strategic thinking, financial and business acumen, and the ability to engage donors, Board members, community leaders, and institutional partners. The candidate should be an effective communicator and collaborative leader who is passionate about higher education and creating opportunities for students and the communities served by Seminole State.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range is $127,717 – $199,238, with placement based on education, experience, and qualifications.

Seminole State offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including a 37.5-hour work week, generous paid time off and College Breaks, health/dental/life insurance, Florida Retirement System (FRS), professional development and paid tuition, free fitness center membership, and free on-campus parking.

The position requires flexibility for occasional evening and weekend events, community engagement, presentations, and travel.

This position is not eligible for Veteran’s Preference.