Executive Director of Advancement and Community Relations

Enterprise State Community College; Opelika (AL); On-site; USD 92,000 - 137,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package (PEEHIP)

Retirement plan

Job summary

Southern Union State Community College invites applications for the Executive Director of Advancement and Community Relations. The role acts as chief advancement officer, leading fundraising, donor relations, external affairs, and community engagement to increase visibility and support for the College's priorities.

The position collaborates with the President, Foundation Board, and alumni and business leaders to secure financial and in-kind support, oversee campaigns, and align advancement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Education, or related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years of successful fundraising experience in a school, college, or 501c3 organization.
• Experience in operating Excel or fundraising software to track, sort, format, and analyze data.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive strategic advancement plan to increase philanthropic support.
• Lead fundraising initiatives that support the College’s priorities, including major gifts, annual giving, and campaigns.
• Identify fundraising priorities, establish goals, develop strategies, and cultivate relationships with stakeholders.
• Oversee donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgement, and stewardship.
• Coordinate with College leadership and Foundation Board to ensure alignment with mission and priorities.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Fundraising software

Job description

The Executive Director of Advancement and Community Relations serves as the chief advancement officer for Southern Union State Community College and provides strategic leadership for the College’s fundraising, community engagement, external relations, and advancement initiatives. The Executive Director develops and implements an integrated advancement program designed to increase the College’s visibility, strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, businesses, foundations, and community partners, and secure philanthropic and community support for the College’s strategic priorities.

Serving as an ex-officio member of the Southern Union Foundation Board of Directors and as a member of the President’s executive leadership team, the Executive Director works closely with the College President, Foundation Board, faculty, staff, alumni, community and business leaders, and Public Relations and Marketing personnel to identify opportunities and secure financial and in‑kind support for the College.

The Executive Director provides leadership for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects and oversees the development and implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies, including major gifts, annual giving, special events, corporate and individual giving, scholarship endowments, grants, planned giving, and capital and comprehensive campaigns. The position also provides leadership and supervision for development and public relations functions and ensures that advancement activities are aligned with the College’s mission, vision, strategic priorities, and community needs.

Salary: Appropriate placement on the Alabama Community College System Salary Schedule C1: (Salary range: $92,072 - $136,517)

Benefits: Full time employees are entitled to the College’s benefit package to include: PEEHIP, retirement, leave (annual, sick, and personal), etc.

Strategic Advancement and Fundraising

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive, strategic advancement plan designed to increase philanthropic support and community investment in Southern Union State Community College.
• Lead fundraising initiatives that support the College’s strategic priorities, including major gifts, annual giving, special events, individual and corporate giving, scholarship endowments, planned giving, grants, and capital or comprehensive campaigns.
• Work closely with the College President and Foundation Board to identify fundraising priorities, establish goals, develop strategies, and cultivate relationships that result in increased financial and community support.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, prospective donors, corporations, foundations, alumni, and other external partners.
• Develop compelling proposals, presentations, and other fundraising materials that communicate the College’s mission, priorities, student impact, and opportunities for investment.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with business, civic, nonprofit, philanthropic, and community leaders throughout the communities served by the College.
• Pursue opportunities for philanthropic partnerships, sponsorships, grants, in‑kind contributions, and other forms of external support.

Community and External Relations

• Serve as a key representative of Southern Union in the communities served by the College and actively promote the College’s mission, vision, programs, accomplishments, and opportunities.
• Work closely with the College President to educate and engage external audiences regarding the College’s role in education, workforce development, economic development, and community advancement.
• Strengthen relationships with alumni, community leaders, businesses, foundations, governmental and civic organizations, and other strategic partners.
• Coordinate with Public Relations and Marketing personnel to ensure consistent messaging and maximize opportunities to increase awareness, engagement, and support for the College.
• Identify opportunities for community engagement and strategic partnerships that enhance the College’s visibility and advance institutional priorities.

Donor Relations and Advancement Operations

• Oversee the identification, cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgement, recognition, and stewardship of donors and prospects to ensure meaningful and sustained relationships.
• Establish and maintain effective systems for donor and prospect management, including database management, prospect research, gift documentation, donor communications, stewardship, and fund agreements.
• Ensure timely and appropriate acknowledgement and reporting to donors regarding the impact of their contributions.
• Conduct prospect research and analysis to identify individuals, corporations, foundations, and other funding sources with potential to support College priorities.
• Develop and maintain accurate records related to the Foundation, donors, prospects, gifts, agreements, and other advancement activities.
• Develop reports for the College President and Foundation Board that measure progress toward fundraising and engagement goals, including revenue, participation, donor retention, and return on investment for fundraising appeals and events.

Foundation Leadership and Financial Oversight

• Serve as an ex-officio member of the Southern Union Foundation Board and work closely with the Board to advance the Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Ensure that Foundation activities and operations are conducted in accordance with the Foundation’s approved bylaws, policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Support the Foundation Board through the planning and preparation of meetings, development of agendas and supporting materials, coordination of committee activities, and preparation and maintenance of meeting minutes and official records.
• Oversee the Foundation’s financial operations in collaboration with appropriate College and Foundation personnel, including monthly financial reconciliation, budget monitoring, expenditure approval, and financial reporting.
• Coordinate the Foundation’s annual audit process and work with the College President, Foundation Board, and appropriate financial professionals to ensure sound financial management and compliance.
• Work with the College President and Foundation Board to develop and maintain an investment strategy that supports the long‑term financial health and sustainability of the Foundation.
• Monitor fund agreements and restricted gifts to ensure that donor intent and applicable requirements are appropriately documented and fulfilled.

Professional and Institutional Responsibilities

• Maintain a high level of professionalism and pursue continued professional development in advancement, fundraising, community relations, nonprofit management, and related fields.
• Serve on College committees and represent the College at community, civic, professional, and institutional events as assigned.
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and regulations of the Alabama Community College System and Southern Union State Community College.
• Maintain a work schedule that may include evenings, weekends, and special events as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned by the President or designee.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Education, or related field required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of successful fundraising experience in a school, college, or 501c3 organization required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in operating Excel or fundraising software to track, sort, format, and analyze data for a variety of purposes including reporting and data analysis preferred.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and must submit a complete application packet through the ONLINE application system by the deadline date in order to be considered for the position. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure his or her application packet is complete. Application materials may not be submitted by fax or email. Applicants who fail to submit all required information will be disqualified.

A complete application packet consists of:

• Completed Southern Union State Community College ONLINE employment application
• Current resume
• List of three (3) references
• Transcript of college work verifying degree requirement; must include degree awarded and date confirmed (Unofficial transcripts will be accepted before the deadline, but official transcripts must be received if employed.)

Please note: Applicants must provide documentation of the required work experience if an offer is made.

All submitted application materials become the property of the College. Requests for copies of application materials, including transcripts, will be denied.

Correspondence regarding positions (i.e. scheduled interview appointment, position filled announcement) will be sent to applicants through the email address used on the applicant’s NEOED account. Applicants are required to monitor their e‑mail account for additional information regarding this current applied for position.

In accordance with the Alabama Community College System policy and guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check. Southern Union also participates in E‑verify.

It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, including all postsecondary community and technical colleges under the control of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, that no employee or applicant for employment or promotion, on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal or state law, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment.

Southern Union State Community College is an equal opportunity employer. Southern Union State Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants or employees. Applicants must adhere to the College’s prescribed interview schedule and travel at their own expense. The 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 from the applicants for this position should another vacancy occur during the search process.