Executive Director of Development, Principal and Leadership Gifts

Iowa State University Foundation; Ames (IA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Iowa State University Foundation in Ames seeks an Executive Director of Development to lead strategy for principal and leadership gifts. You will oversee donor-facing programs, mentor staff, and personally fundraise for high-priority projects with a portfolio of major donors.

Reporting to university and foundation leadership, this role emphasizes collaboration, data-driven decision making, and timely donor engagement to grow gifts of $1 million and more across units.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree or professional certification preferred.
• 8 years of professional fundraising experience.
• Experience collaborating with collegiate leaders and coordinating complex strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy discussions for principal & leadership gifts and support staff.
• Oversee donor-facing activities and manage a portfolio of high-value donors.
• Coordinate strategy with university and foundation leadership to guide $1M+ gifts.
• Monitor reporting, pipeline development, and data accuracy to drive growth.

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising strategy

Leadership coaching

Data interpretation

Communication

Relationship management

Microsoft Office

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree or professional certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

Join the Iowa State University Foundation in our mission to engage our community, inspire philanthropy, and steward resources to advance Iowa State University and its impact on Iowa and the world. We are searching for a highly collaborative, experienced fundraiser to join our development team!

Your Next Career Move…

The executive director of development on the principal and leadership gifts team works collaboratively across units and with development colleagues to lead strategy discussions and offer support and organizational resources to staff as they navigate conversations greater than $1 million.

The executive director will oversee coordinating strategy that involves university and foundation leadership. This position will be donor-facing and will carry a small portfolio of donors in the principal and leadership gifts marketplace segment.

Core responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Enhance development officer activity, solicitations, and increase the number of $1 million gifts.
• Collaborate daily with development staff - coaching, leading, and strategizing on donor interactions and comprehensive pipeline development at the leadership level.
• Strategize with development leadership to determine how best to guide and lead strategy on gifts of $1 million+ with their teams.
• Focus on key deliverables, reporting, and analysis to ensure growth in the leadership gifts segment.
• Ensure data is accurate and interpret data and reporting to guide decisions.
• Serve as a resource for development leadership related to donor interactions.
• Personally fundraise for high-priority projects and manage relationships of a portfolio of donors.

Requirements

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree or professional certification is preferred.
• 8 years of professional fundraising experience.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experience working with a collegiate dean, director, or another organizational leader within the fundraising process.
• Experience developing and leading complex fundraising strategies and solicitations collaborating with many internal and external partners to accomplish goals.
• Strong collaboration skills, relationship development and management, ability to adapt to changing or urgent situations.
• Strong program building skills. Ability to take information, build a plan, and execute the plan using resources available.
• Ability to coach and mentor fundraising professionals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent customer service skills (end user support/services) with the ability to describe technical concepts from a business perspective.
• Ability to interpret financial information and manage data.
• Competency in making face-to-face solicitations.
• High level of understanding of the development process and donor cycle, strategic thinking, understanding of higher education landscape and governance, and specific university challenges and opportunities especially as they relate to the position of university president.
• Coaching and leadership skills. Self-motivated (self-starter); innovative and ability to work with considerable independence within the context of a team environment and a network of relationships.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software.
• Must be able to handle several activities simultaneously with attention to detail and adherence to deadlines and accuracy.
• Must adhere to strict confidentiality standards.

Travel: Some travel

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Ames, IA; potentially hybrid