Senior Director of Development & Team Lead - CECAS

CLEMU Clemson University; Clemson (SC); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Clemson University’s Advancement Division is seeking a Senior Director of Development & Team Lead for the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS). This role leads fundraising strategy, manages a portfolio of major gifts, and guides a team to achieve ambitious annual goals.

The selected candidate will collaborate with College leadership and the Executive Director, cultivate top donors, and drive the campaign by expanding the philanthropic pipeline.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years of fundraising, development, or alumni engagement experience.
• Higher-education or complex nonprofit fundraising with ability to close six- and seven-figure gifts preferred.

Responsibilities

• 50% Fundraising: manage a portfolio of donors and raise $5M+ annually.
• 10% Strategic collaboration: partner with Dean and leaders to advance philanthropic priorities.
• 15% Team management: supervise development officers and drive annual planning/reviews.
• 25% College leadership & engagement: collaborate on capital campaigns and grow the philanthropic pipeline.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor engagement

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Relationship management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Job Summary

Clemson University's Advancement Division is looking for a Senior Director of Development & Team Lead - CECAS to fulfill the duties outlined below.

• Serves as the Senior Director of Development and Team Lead for the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences (CECAS) within the Advancement Division while reporting to the Executive Director of Development.
• Provides strategic oversight and leadership for all levels of philanthropic engagement across the College's departments and programs.
• In close partnership with College leadership and the Executive Director, develops and executes fundraising strategies that align with institutional priorities and drive meaningful support.
• Acts as a key liaison between the College and the Advancement Division, fostering collaboration and cultivating strong partnerships across campus fundraising teams.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Job Duties

• 50% - Fundraising: Manages a dynamic portfolio (150 maximum) of prospects/donors who have the capacity to make a philanthropic major gift. Qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards gifts from college/unit donors, alumni and friends through 160-180 visits annually. Raises a minimum of $5 million on an annual basis with subsequent years' goals determined in conjunction with the Executive Director. Coordinates cultivation, stewardship and donor engagement opportunities/events for assigned donors and the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences.
• 10% - Strategic Collaboration and Facilitation: Utilizes relationships with the Dean and other key leaders to advance the philanthropic strategies and priorities of the College and exceed the annual fundraising goals. Facilitates collaboration with team members across the Advancement division who are essential to the College's fundraising efforts. Participates as a member of the University Development Team's Unit Lead collective.
• 15% - Team Management & Supervision: Directly supervises a team of development officers and internal support team members. Coaches and mentors them to achieve their fundraising and performance goals/objectives. Leads comprehensive annual planning and performance review procedures with team members. Participates in required manager/supervisor activities, trainings, etc. as required to successfully oversee the work of direct reports.
• 25% - College Leadership and Engagement: Establishes strong partnerships with the Dean and strategic leaders within the College. Leads efforts for the unit for the current capital campaign by collaborating with the College and supporting unit/program leadership to develop a philanthropic strategy that advances the key priorities for the campaign and the College's mission. Engages actively with the Dean and college/unit leaders in the cultivation and stewardship efforts of top donors and prospects. Leads efforts to grow the philanthropic pipeline and revenue for the College. Serves as the primary liaison and mission-critical link between the Advancement division and the College and its supporting units/programs.

Job Details

JOB CODE: UP17 EMPLOYEE TYPE: Regular FTE Staff

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Work Experience: 5+ years of related experience in fundraising, development, sales, alumni engagement.
• Preferred Requirements: Work Experience: Higher-education or complex non-profit fundraising with demonstrated ability to close six and seven figure gifts.

Salary

Expected Salary Range 160,000 - 180,000 Salary is dependent upon several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's previous experience, knowledge, skills and performance in accordance with Clemson's compensation guidelines.

Contract & Working Hours

WORK SCHEDULE: Standard Hours: 37.5

Location

JOB LOCATION: Clemson, SC

Application Deadline

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled.

Military and Veteran

MILITARY AND VETERAN: Military Equivalency: Clemson University is proud to allow educational equivalency for military technical certifications and trainings that directly relate to the job duties. Veteran Preference: South Carolina provides employment preference to eligible veterans for qualifying full-time permanent positions. To be considered, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications, have been discharged under honorable conditions, and indicate their veteran status in the application by uploading a DD-214 for confidential review. A request for Veteran Preference can be made via the application process. Please contact [e-mail] with any questions or issues.

Closing Statement

Clemson University is an EEO/AA employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law including disability and protected veteran status.

One of the most productive public research universities in the nation, Clemson University attracts and powerfully unites students, faculty and staff whose greatest desire is to make a difference in the lives of others. Clemson has recently been named a top 25 public college in the country by the Wall Street Journal, a top South Carolina employer by Forbes and a Military Friendly Employer for five years running. Through our research, outreach and entrepreneurial projects, Clemson University and its employees are driving economic development and improving quality of life in South Carolina and beyond.