Development Officer – Blue Hawk Touchdown Club and Athletics

DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY (DSU) is a regional comprehensive institution within the North Dakota University System, whose primary role is to contribute to intellectual, social, economic, and cultural development, especially to Southwestern North Dakota. The University’s mission is to provide high quality, accessible programs; to promote excellence in teaching and learning; to support scholarly and creative activities; and to provide service relevant to the economy, health, and quality of life for the citizens of the State of North Dakota.

The DSU Heritage Foundation stimulates and fosters an active interest from alumni and friends that encourages participation in the support of the University. This is accomplished by creating and maintaining a consistent flow of funds to achieve our vision of being the premier support for the University’s commitment to provide the finest and most invigorating global-learning environment. The DSU Heritage Foundation secures, manages, and disburses these private funds for the benefit of the student and the University.

DSU is looking to hire a Development Officer – Blue Hawk Touchdown Club and Athletics. This position supports the annual scholarship budget by prioritizing all Annual Giving Campaigns. This person will be responsible but not limited to: developing and maintaining campaigns, cultivating, soliciting, and stewardship strategies for a significant population of annual giving donors. This person will work with the Cornerstone Traditions annual scholarship campaign as well as the Blue Hawk Scholarship Fund to expand each area with Alumni and volunteer efforts. The focus of this position will be external and will require travel to areas around the nation, as well as travel within the state of North Dakota, Montana, and South Dakota. This position will also work with the Executive Director and develop plans for successful Annual Giving Campaigns and special initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher

• Three years of direct fund-raising experience with demonstrated ability to manage a large number of prospective donors resulting in significant increased gifts or experience in a similar field.

• Excellent professional writing, editing, and analytical skills, public speaking and expository skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to interface professionally with alumni, parents, administration, faculty, staff and students.

• Ability to work collaboratively with volunteers and volunteer groups.

• Ability to work independently with minimal direction, minimal administrative support.

• Superior organizational skills.

• Demonstrated goal-oriented management skills (self-motivated, detail oriented, and donor centered).

• Knowledge of communication skills through numerous platforms.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge and Financial Edge software

• Familiarity with all advanced features of Microsoft Office suite of products

• Ability to learn and apply new computing software applications quickly

• Flexibility

• Good humor

• Knowledge of selective higher education development activities is preferred or experience in a similar field.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Manage Annual Blue Hawk Touchdown Club Campaigns
  • Attend all event associated with BHTDC.
  • Assist in all volunteer committee events.
  • Develop and maintain annual BHTDC campaign including mailings, social media and email aspects.
  • Manage DSU Football coaches such as marketing and promotion of the BHTDC and DSU Football. Working with the Athletic Director in all giving areas including, but not limited to: Fundraker, Unrestricted, Annual and alumni contact campaigns.
  • Oversee and Contribute to all communications related to the Annual BHTDC campaigns while working with the Sports information Director (SID) to provide football sport content monthly and quarterly in a newsletter format.
  • Need superior organizational skills and must record all content into Raiser’s Edge.
  • Work with the Development and Alumni Committees to develop giving strategies for the DSU Heritage Foundation.
  • Assist in annual Magazine production associated with the BHTDC.
  • Manage 2 work-study students who assist in areas associated with the BHTDC.
  • Work independently with minimal direction/administrative support.
  • Successfully manage a full load of approximately 150-175 assigned prospects. Through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with the goal of soliciting them for the BHTDC.
  • Working with the Athletic Director, and SID to manage some sponsorships associated with the BHTDC.
  • Identify annual donors who may wish to provide Major Gifts to athletics and the university through endowments and/or estate planning.
  • Working with the Alumni Committee to develop a group of local and national volunteers to assist with events and alumni networking for the BHTDC.
  • Be willing to travel and meet new donors and friends to develop a positive relationship for DSU and the BHTDC.
• Event assistance for BHTDC and DSU HF
  • Use superior organizational skills and record all content into Raiser’s Edge.
  • Assist BHTDC with all events including attending all local and regional events to provide support.
  • Develop a travel plan for BHTDC travel to away games for tailgate and promotional support.
  • Assist in the Development of volunteer assistance for the DSU and the DSU HF through the BHTDC.
  • Attend all meetings of the BHTDC and provide monthly updates through documentation of all areas associated with the BHTDC: Balances, donors, Scholarship awarded and updates of the Football program if Athletic Director is not available.
  • Assist the Alumni Director with the DSU Annual Giving Week.
  • Assist DSU HF with all events which include but are not limited to: Tailgates (5), golf tournament (2), Post game socials (5), Yuletyme, Cowboys and Candlelight, and other socials.
• Assist Executive Director in all Fundraising Activities
  • Work closely with the Executive Director of the DSU Heritage Foundation including but not limited to: endowment campaigns, Estate Planning meetings, documentation of all contacts, representing the BHTDC as well as DSU and the DSU HF at events around Dickinson and the area.
  • Work with all members of the Foundation staff to develop proper lists for annual giving.
  • Assist in numerous events where minor lifting, 20-40lbs may be required.
  • Oversee and Contribute to communications of events and campaign on numerous social media platforms
  • Manage all Mass Email communication with database for the BHTDC and football.
  • Other duties as assigned.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

• Salary begins at $40,000/annual, commensurate with qualifications and experience

• Comprehensive fringe benefits, including, but not limited to:

  • 100% employer-paid health insurance (family or single coverage)
  • TIAA retirement
  • Tuition waiver benefits

• Possible eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program with the US Department of Education.

View https://www.dickinsonstate.edu/about/employment/ for information on the above and other benefits offered.

MAIN OFFICE/WORKING LOCATION: Dickinson, ND

STARTING DATE: May 18, 2026

POSITION DETAILS:

• 3210 Public Information Professional

• 12-month term (July 1- June 30)

• Full-time (100%)

• Exempt from FLSA Overtime

• Benefited

DISCLAIMER CLAUSE:

This job announcement is not intended, and should not be construed, to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential to making fair pay decisions and determining job performance.

For more information about the position, contact the direct supervisor Executive Director Ty Orton

PREFERENCE DATE: March 30, 2026

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Applications received by the preference date will be given first consideration, the position will remain open until filled.

• Complete the online application at https://dickinsonstate.edu/jobopenings/postings.aspx

• Provide three (3) references contact information

• Upload a letter of application/cover letter

• Upload a curriculum vitae

• Upload graduate transcripts

Applicants should fully describe qualifications and experience, with specific reference to each of the qualifications and responsibilities listed above as minimum/required/preferred because this is the information on which the initial review of materials will be based. Only applicants who appear best qualified based on this review will be contacted for an interview. The submission of all required materials by the preference date is the responsibility of the applicant. (Note: incomplete applications may not be considered).

Unofficial, or copies of official, transcripts are acceptable at the time of inquiry, but official transcripts will be required if hired. If you need to order transcripts you can have them emailed to DSU.HR@dickinsonstate.edu, faxed to 701-483-2574, or mailed DSU Human Resources, 291 Campus Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601.

Both internal and external applicants are eligible to apply if they are legally authorized to work in the United States. Federal USCIS I-9 employment certification is required at hire. Employer Sponsorship will not be considered.

ND Veteran’s Preference laws apply to this position. Applicants who are eligible to claim veteran’s preference must provide proof of eligibility by the preference date.

Due to access to restricted information, the successful candidate will be required to complete a satisfactory criminal history record check before beginning employment.

Pursuant to N.D.C.C. 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified the finalists.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. 23-12-10.

Dickinson State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution that does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, religion, gender identity, creed, marital status, veteran’s status, political belief or affiliation, information protected by the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (“GINA”), or disability in its admissions, student aid, employment practices, educational programs, or other related activities. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Dickinson State University does not discriminate based on sex in its educational programs, activities, or employment opportunities as required by Title IX. Dickinson State University complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act. Dickinson State University encourages applications from diverse candidates and candidates who support diversity. Inquiries concerning Title VI, VII, ADA, ADEA, Title IX, and Section 504 may be referred to either the Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Kathy Geisen, Dickinson State University, 291 Campus Drive, May Hall, Room 226, Dickinson, ND 58601 (701) 502-2081, dsu.titleix@dickinsonstate.edu or to the Affirmative Action Officer, Krissy Kilwein, Dickinson State University, 291 Campus Drive, May Hall, Room 309, Dickinson, ND 58601, (701) 502-4304, dsu.equalopportunity@dickinsonstate.edu.

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Dickinson State University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the University’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found here.

For more information about Dickinson State University, please visit https://dickinsonstate.edu/visit. You can also visit this site https://findthegoodlife.com/ for resources and details about North Dakota!