Director, Development

Title: Director of Development

Required Documentation
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Submit your documents at the end of the application to be considered. If you need help, please reach out to employment@uiu.edu.

The Director of Development is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and planned gift prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or more in support of Upper Iowa University’s strategic priorities. This individual will manage a portfolio of qualified donors and prospects, including alumni, parents, and friends of the university, many of whom may not have a prior history of deep engagement or campus visits, particularly due to online, center-based, self-paced, or military-affiliated backgrounds.

• Proactively make phone calls and send emails to schedule donor appointments, including outreach to both warm and cold leads
• Manage a robust portfolio of active major gift prospects through all phases of the donor cycle
• Conduct a minimum of 15 meetings per month
• Maintain regular contact with portfolio prospects and log all actions in Raiser's Edge NXT
• Meet or exceed annual performance goals for solicitations, dollars raised, and donor engagement
• Develop and implement personalized engagement and solicitation strategies tailored to each prospect
• Collaborate with Advancement and Alumni Engagement colleagues on strategic fundraising initiatives and integrated donor strategies
• Leverage alumni databases and prospect research tools to expand and diversify the major gift pipeline
• Travel extensively (up to 50%) to meet with prospects and donors across the Region and throughout United States
• Contribute to a team culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, learning, and high performance
• Build and sustain long-term relationships with donors through consistent stewardship and follow-up, ensuring they feel appreciated and informed of their impact
• Work closely with academic leaders, faculty, and program directors to understand university priorities and align donor interests accordingly
• Prepare briefing materials, written proposals, and gift agreements for donor meetings and solicitations
• Assist in the planning and execution of donor recognition and cultivation events, including regional alumni gatherings, on-campus visits, and virtual experiences
• Collaborate with the Office of Communications and Marketing to develop compelling donor outreach, updates, and impact reports
• Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and professionalism when handling donor and prospect information
• Serve as a university ambassador at events, conferences, and other engagement opportunities, representing the mission and values of Upper Iowa University
• Analyze donor giving trends, interests, and behaviors to refine outreach strategies and ensure effective portfolio management
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through discovery conversations, referrals, and proactive outreach
• Demonstrate adaptability and persistence in outreach efforts, especially when navigating scheduling challenges, donor hesitations, or travel logistics

• Bachelor’s degree required
• While 2-5 years of prior experience in professional fundraising is preferred, candidates with backgrounds in nonprofit work, sales, donor relations, recruiting, or related fields are encouraged to apply
• Must have the ability to make major gift asks and secure commitments of $25,000 or more
• Ability to confidently discuss planned giving and multi-year pledges with prospective donors
• Strong ability to work independently, build authentic relationships, and close major gifts or partnerships
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Self-starter with strong organizational and time management abilities
• Passion for and commitment to the mission and values of Upper Iowa University
• Familiarity with donor databases (such as Raiser's Edge NXT) or willingness to learn
• Demonstrated ability to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences

Benefits Package
Free & reduced UIU tuition packages for employees, dependents, and spouses, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement, health, life, and other insurance are available.