Director of Development

Director of Development

Job ID: 300515
Location: Georgia College & State Univ
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.
Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, the Director of Development is responsible for planning and executing a comprehensive, goal-oriented fundraising program for assigned colleges or units. This position works in close partnership with the Vice President and the Dean or Director of the respective area to develop and implement an annual operating plan that defines strategic fundraising priorities, establishes measurable goals, and drives successful outcomes through effective collaboration with advancement staff.

Responsibilities

Fundraising & Prospect Management - 75
- Develops, implements, and manages a comprehensive major gifts fundraising program focused on cultivating and soliciting significant contributions from alumni, parents, corporations, foundations, and friends of the university.
- Creates and executes a strategic annual fundraising plan with specific dollar goals, identified top prospects, moves management timelines, and accountability metrics.
- Partners with the Prospect Research team to identify, qualify, and segment a robust major donor prospect pool and directs strategic outreach to support successful solicitation.
- Collaborates and supports Alumni Engagement efforts including event participation, recognition activities, and providing information about alumni. Coordinate individual unit alumni outreach and recognition efforts with GCSU Alumni Engagement.
- Designs and executes long- and short-term cultivation and stewardship strategies that meaningfully engage donors at all stages of the gift cycle.
- Manages a personal portfolio of major gift prospects, maintaining consistent personal contact through visits, correspondence, and events to advance relationships toward solicitation.
- Coordinates State and Foundation resources to ensure funds are utilized effectively and in alignment with donor intent as outlined in gift and endowment agreements.
- Collaborates with the broader advancement team on prospect management, corporate and foundation proposals, and planned giving solicitations.
- Participates in faculty and academic leadership engagement to align philanthropic opportunities with institutional priorities.
- Travels regularly, locally, regionally, and nationally to cultivate and solicit major donors and prospects in support of the assigned college or unit.

Volunteer & Board Engagement - 10
- Guides and manages volunteer advisory and fundraising boards associated with assigned areas, ensuring board members are actively engaged in stewardship, cultivation, and solicitation activities.
- Develops agendas, prepares materials, and provides strategic direction to maximize volunteer board effectiveness

Stewardship & Donor Relations - 10
- Participates in and leads stewardship activities designed to recognize, engage, and retain existing donors, including organizing development events, donor recognition programs, and impact reporting.
- Contributes to the development of donor communications including newsletters, giving website content, case statements, and gift proposals.

Other - 5
- Performs other duties as assigned in support of the College's fundraising and advancement objectives.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

Other Required Qualifications
Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly

Required Experience
- Minimum of 3 - 5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, development, or advancement, preferably within higher education or a complex non-profit environment
- Demonstrated track record of personally soliciting and closing major gifts
- Experience managing a portfolio of major gift prospects through all stages of the gift cycle
- Proficiency with constituent relationship management (CRM) systems such as Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Master's degree or advanced degree in a related field

Preferred Experience
- 5+ years of major gifts fundraising experience in a higher education setting
- Experience working with college deans, academic leadership, and/or faculty to advance fundraising priorities
- Familiarity with planned giving concepts and vehicles
- Experience managing or mentoring junior development staff or volunteers
- CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential or active pursuit of same

Proposed Salary

This position is a pay grade 11. The available salary range is $68,519.00 to $85,000.00. Starting salary within this range is based on relevant years of experience.

For more information about GCSU compensation practices, click here: https://www.gcsu.edu/humanresources/pay-grade-structure.

Required Documents to Attach

• Cover Letter
• Resume / CV

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES
- Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment while functioning as part of a collaborative, team-oriented advancement operation.
- Ability to engage comfortably and credibly with senior academic and institutional leadership, high-net-worth donors, and community stakeholders.
- Ability to handle sensitive donor and institutional information with the highest level of discretion and confidentiality.
- Ability to travel extensively, including evenings and weekends as required by donor schedules and university events.
- Ability to inspire confidence and trust in donors, volunteers, and colleagues through consistent follow-through and professionalism.

KNOWLEDGE
- Thorough knowledge of major gifts fundraising principles, moves management methodology, and the full gift cycle.
- Knowledge of planned giving vehicles (bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts) and their role in a comprehensive development program.
- Understanding of higher education advancement structures, including the relationship between institutional foundations, academic units, and central advancement operations.
- Familiarity with CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) standards and ethical guidelines.
- Working knowledge of gift processing, fund accounting, and endowment stewardship principles.
- Understanding of FERPA and other applicable privacy regulations in a higher education context.

SKILLS
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling gift proposals, case statements, and donor correspondence.
- Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to connect authentically with donors, volunteers, and academic partners.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Analytical skills to assess prospect capacity, evaluate portfolio performance, and report on fundraising progress against goals.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and advancement CRM platforms.
- Skill in preparing and delivering persuasive presentations to individuals and groups.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.
This position has financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position may travel 25% - 49% of the time.
This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Credit Report
• Criminal Background Check
• Education Verification
• DMV Check
• Drug Screening

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=36000&JobOpeningId=300515&PostingSeq=1







Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency jeid-bca9bdf2d1b4734f8fbdfda04a773205

To see additional information about our job opening(s) or to apply, click on the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of our job posting(s).

When inquiring or applying for jobs at Georgia College & State University, please also reference AcademicCareers.com

Applicants with dual-career considerations can find university jobs, such as professor jobs, dean jobs, and other faculty jobs and higher ed jobs with Georgia College & State University and with other colleges and universities in the region on AcademicCareers.com

To receive email alerts when new jobs at Georgia College & State University are posted, sign up for new job openings at Georgia College & State University.