Executive Director of Advancement & Community Relations

Enterprise State Community College; Deatsville (AL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ingram State Technical College seeks an Executive Director of Advancement & Community Relations to lead the College Foundation, reporting to the President. This role drives fundraising, donor relations, community engagement, governance, and strategic communications to advance student success and regional impact.

The Executive Director will develop and implement comprehensive advancement programs, including annual giving, major gifts, endowment development, and campaigns, while ensuring

Qualifications

• Experience leading foundation fundraising and advancement programs.
• Ability to develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies.
• Proven track record in donor cultivation and stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership for the College Foundation and its advancement efforts.
• Develop and evaluate fundraising and advancement strategies aligned with college priorities.
• Build and manage relationships with donors, community leaders, and industry partners.
• Oversee governance, financial accountability, and donor stewardship.
• Coordinate communications and outreach to strengthen philanthropy and community relations.
• Support board governance and strategic planning for the Foundation.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Strategic planning

Donor relations

Community engagement

Board governance

Job description

The Executive Director of Advancement & Community Relations at Ingram State Technical College serves as the College Foundation’s chief executive and reports directly to the President. The Executive Director provides strategic leadership across the Foundation's fundraising, donor relations, community engagement, financial stewardship, Board relations, and advancement communications.

Working closely with the President, the Foundation Board of Directors, College leadership, donors, community leaders, and business and industry partners, the Executive Director develops and implements strategies to increase philanthropic support and strengthen the Foundation's capacity to advance the College's mission and strategic priorities. The Executive Director communicates the impact of Foundation investments on student success, sustainable employment, successful reentry, and stronger communities.

The Executive Director develops and maintains a comprehensive advancement program that includes annual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, endowment development, capital campaigns, and fundraising events. The position also ensures effective Foundation governance, financial accountability, donor stewardship, and clear communication about the Foundation's impact.

1. Foundation Leadership & Strategic Advancement

• Provide visionary, strategic leadership for the College Foundation and its advancement efforts.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive fundraising and advancement strategy aligned with the College's strategic priorities.
• Establish short- and long-term goals for Foundation growth, fundraising, donor engagement, and community support.
• Identify emerging philanthropic opportunities and develop strategies to expand the Foundation's donor and supporter base.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President on fundraising, philanthropy, donor relations, and Foundation-related matters.
• Collaborate with College leadership and departments to identify institutional priorities and translate them into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Ensure that Foundation programs, activities, and resources align with the College's mission and strategic goals.

2. Development, Donor & Community Relations

• Lead fundraising efforts encompassing annual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation support, endowment development, capital campaigns, and special initiatives.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of major and prospective donors, including personal cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Build and sustain strong, long‑term relationships with donors, community leaders, businesses, foundations, and industry partners.
• Develop and implement donor cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship strategies.
• Identify and pursue new sources of philanthropic support and build strategic community partnerships.
• Coordinate fundraising events, campaigns, corporate and foundation initiatives, alumni outreach, employee giving, and other advancement activities.
• Represent the College and Foundation at community, civic, business, and institutional events.
• Serve as an ambassador for the College and Foundation, promoting awareness of the institution's mission, impact, and opportunities for philanthropic investment.

3. Foundation Board & Governance

• Provide leadership and administrative support to the Foundation Board of Directors.
• Plan and coordinate Board meetings, including agendas, reports, supporting materials, and follow‑up actions.
• Provide the Board with accurate, timely reports on Foundation finances, investments, fundraising activities, programs, and other matters.
• Recruit, orient, train, and engage Board members and volunteers.
• Work with the Board to develop, implement, and periodically evaluate a Foundation strategic plan aligned with the College's strategic priorities.
• Support Board committees and implement Board‑approved initiatives, policies, and priorities.
• Ensure that Foundation governance practices promote transparency, accountability, effective stewardship, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Maintain productive relationships among the Board, College leadership, donors, alumni, volunteers, and other Foundation constituents.

4. Financial & Foundation Administration

• Oversee the Foundation's financial and administrative operations in accordance with Board policies, College procedures, applicable laws, and established best practices.
• Develop and manage the Foundation's annual budget and monitor its financial performance.
• Work with the President, the Board of Directors, the CFO, and relevant financial personnel to oversee investments and endowment activities.
• Implement Board‑approved investment policies and coordinate endowment disbursements.
• Ensure appropriate administration, documentation, and stewardship of both restricted and unrestricted gifts.
• Maintain effective systems for gift processing, donor records, acknowledgments, reporting, stewardship, and constituent information management.
• Monitor compliance with gift agreements, Foundation policies, applicable regulations, and donor‑imposed restrictions.
• Provide the President and the Foundation Board with appropriate financial and operational reports.
• Ensure the effective administration and oversight of scholarship programs and other philanthropic initiatives supported by the Foundation.

5. Foundation Communications & Marketing

• Develop and implement communications and marketing strategies to support Foundation fundraising, donor engagement, and community relations.
• Promote the Foundation's mission, fundraising priorities, accomplishments, and impact.
• Ensure consistent Foundation branding and messaging across publications, digital platforms, events, and other communications channels.
• Develop donor communications, newsletters, annual and impact reports, campaign materials, and other Foundation publications as appropriate.
• Maintain a strong and relevant digital presence for the Foundation.
• Coordinate Foundation‑related media relations, press releases, public announcements, and other external communications.
• Serve as the Foundation’s primary contact for media inquiries and coordinate responses with the College’s Public Relations Coordinator and other leadership as appropriate.
• Develop communications to strengthen the Foundation's public image, donor engagement, and community awareness.
• Ensure that Foundation marketing and communications comply with applicable ADA accessibility requirements.

6. Supervision & Personnel Management

• Provide supervisory oversight for assigned personnel who help with Foundation events.
• Foster a professional, collaborative, ethical, and service‑oriented work environment.

Work