Executive Director, Foundation

Seminole State College of Florida; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 128,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Health, dental, and life insurance

FRS retirement

Professional development

Tuition remission

On-campus parking

Job summary

Seminole State College of Florida is seeking an Executive Director of the Foundation to provide strategic leadership for the College's philanthropic and resource development efforts. This role guides fundraising programs and advances donor engagement to support student success and workforce development.

The Executive Director serves as the Foundation's chief advancement officer acting on behalf of the College President with the Foundation Board of Directors, coordinating governance, financial

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s preferred.
• Eight years of progressively responsible fundraising or advancement experience.
• Experience with donor research, data analytics, and fundraising systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead comprehensive advancement and fundraising programs aligned with strategic priorities.
• Oversee major gifts, annual giving, capital campaigns, and partnerships.
• Cultivate and steward high-level donors and prospects; report to College President.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor engagement

Strategic leadership

Governance

Financial stewardship

Communication

Community relations

Staff mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Donor management systems

Grants management

Job description

Are you an accomplished advancement leader who is passionate about higher education and building meaningful relationships that create lasting impact? Seminole State College of Florida is seeking an experienced Executive Director of the Foundation to provide strategic leadership for the College's philanthropic and resource development efforts.

The Executive Director serves as the Foundation's chief advancement officer and a member of the College's executive leadership team. Reporting directly to the College President, this position provides executive-level leadership for fundraising, donor engagement, Foundation governance, financial stewardship, external relations, and organizational operations.

This is an opportunity to lead the Foundation at an institution deeply committed to student success, access, workforce development, and the transformative power of education. The Executive Director will work closely with the President, Foundation Board of Directors, College leadership, donors, community partners, corporations, foundations, government entities, and other stakeholders to expand philanthropic support and advance the College's strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities Strategic

Advancement & Fundraising

• Develop and execute comprehensive advancement and fundraising strategies aligned with the College's strategic priorities.
• Lead efforts across major gifts, annual giving, capital campaigns, corporate and foundation partnerships, planned giving, grants, and other philanthropic initiatives.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward high-level donors and prospects while strengthening long-term philanthropic relationships.
• Provide strategic counsel and support to the College President on fundraising opportunities, donor engagement, prospect development, presentations, and advancement activities.
• Build and maintain relationships with corporations, foundations, government entities, community organizations, and other external partners to expand resources and opportunities for the College.
• Develop and strengthen planned giving strategies and programs to complement the Foundation's broader fundraising efforts.

Foundation Leadership & Governance

• Serve as Executive Officer of the Foundation and provide strategic leadership to the Foundation Board of Directors.
• Support effective Board governance, strategic planning, committee engagement, orientation, education, communications, and leadership development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships among the Foundation Board, College leadership, donors, prospects, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure the Foundation's activities and resources remain aligned with the College's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term goals.

Institutional & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with College leadership and campus stakeholders to strengthen the College's role as a leading provider of higher education and workforce development in Seminole County.
• Represent the Foundation and College throughout the community through professional networks, civic engagement, presentations, special events, and service on community and professional boards.
• Partner with College Relations, Marketing, Government Relations, and other areas to coordinate advancement, communications, advocacy, community engagement, and funding initiatives.
• Serve as an ambassador for Seminole State College, effectively communicating its mission, vision, programs, accomplishments, and impact to internal and external audiences.

Financial Stewardship & Organizational Sustainability

• Provide strategic oversight of the Foundation's financial resources, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit processes.
• Develop and recommend the annual Foundation budget for Board approval and ensure resources are managed responsibly and strategically.
• Lead strategic planning efforts that support the Foundation's long-term financial strength, sustainability, and capacity to support the College.
• Work closely with auditors, Foundation Board members, and College leadership to ensure financial integrity and effective stewardship.

Organizational Leadership

• Lead, develop, and supervise Foundation staff while building organizational capacity and fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, mentorship, and leadership development.
• Oversee the Grants Office and coordinate grant-seeking strategies with broader advancement priorities.
• Provide oversight of the Foundation's alumni engagement efforts to strengthen lifelong relationships with graduates and develop a sustainable alumni donor pipeline.
• Use advancement systems, prospect research, and fundraising data to inform strategy, evaluate results, and identify opportunities for growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the College President.

Required Qualifications

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Experience leading comprehensive fundraising or advancement programs.
• Experience working with a nonprofit or higher education foundation and its Board of Directors.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A strategic and collaborative leadership approach aligned with the mission and values of Seminole State College and its Foundation.
• Proven success in fundraising, donor cultivation and stewardship, planned giving, community relations, and external engagement.
• Strong executive presence and the ability to establish credibility and build trusted relationships with donors, Board members, College leadership, community leaders, corporations, foundations, and government partners.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including experience with budgets, financial oversight, internal controls, reporting, and audit processes.
• The ability to identify and pursue diverse funding opportunities and align philanthropic investments with institutional priorities.
• The ability to think strategically while effectively managing operational responsibilities and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and mentoring staff and building organizational capacity.
• A commitment to community engagement and involvement throughout the College's service district.
• A commitment to fostering a welcoming environment and sense of belonging.

Compensation & Total Rewards

Seminole State College offers a competitive salary range of $127,717 - $199,238, with placement within the range based on the selected candidate's education, experience, and qualifications.

Our comprehensive total rewards package includes:

• 37.5-hour work week with flexible work options where applicable
• Generous paid time off, including holidays, annual and sick leave, and College Breaks
• Health, dental, and life insurance options
• Florida Retirement System (FRS) and other retirement savings options
• Professional development and paid tuition
• Free Raider Fitness Center membership
• Free on-campus parking

Learn more about our total rewards package.

Work Environment

This position primarily works in an office environment and requires flexibility to attend events, meetings, and community activities outside of regular business hours. The position requires periodic travel and community presentations and participation in activities that support the Foundation and College.

The College anticipates that the position incumbent must be available throughout the workday and, on some occasions, after regular work hours. As a condition of employment, the incumbent is expected to be available by cell phone and is required to provide a current cell phone number to the Office of Human Resources and their immediate supervisor.

This position is not eligible for Veteran's Preference.

Seminole State College of Florida is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where employees, students, and community members can thrive. We invite leaders who are passionate about higher education, philanthropy, and expanding opportunities for students to join us in advancing the College's mission and impact.