Director of Development

Edtech.com's Summary

College of Charleston is hiring a Director of Development. The Director leads fundraising efforts within the Division of Institutional Advancement, focusing on securing and managing major donor relationships to support the College’s top strategic priorities, particularly aligned with the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics. The role requires proactively driving gift commitments, targeting at least $1,500,000 annually and enhancing the major and principal gift pipeline over time.

Highlights

Develop and manage major donor relationships to meet fundraising goals for the College’s strategic priorities.
Focus on fundraising for the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics, securing gifts typically between $50,000 and $500,000+.
Lead and participate in strategic prospect development including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Collaborate with institutional partners such as Advancement Services, Corporate and Foundation Relations, and Academic Affairs to support fundraising efforts.
Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and create strategic advancement plans for principal gift prospects ($500,000+).
Serve on the leadership team, mentor colleagues, and represent the College at internal and external events.
Require a Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant alumni/development experience with demonstrated success in major gift fundraising.
Essential skills include excellent communication, organizational abilities, analytical skills, and capacity to work independently and collaboratively.
Salary range: $83,717 to $110,000, commensurate with experience and education.
Position requires evening and weekend work, regular overnight travel, and hybrid work eligibility after one year.

Director of Development Full Description

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Please complete the application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.

*Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements.

Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check.

All applications must be submitted online https://jobs.cofc.edu.

Posting Details

POSTING INFORMATION

Internal Title	Director of Development
Position Type	Classified
Faculty / Non-Faculty / Administration	Non-Faculty
Pay Band	8
Level	5
Department	Development
Job Purpose	The Director of Development (DoD) is a leader on the development team within the Division of Institutional Advancement. A successful DoD will be a proactive and collaborative member of this dynamic team and a champion for the College’s highest funding priorities as we continue to plan for its next campaign. One of the College’s core values is integrity, and the DoD will help foster a community that demonstrates respect for self, others and place. The DoD develops and manages key major donor relationships to secure gifts for the College’s top strategic priorities. The DoD aligns with the College’s School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics to secure and grow major gift commitments. The DoD is responsible for raising at least $1,500,000 in new commitments annually and increasing this amount over time as the major and principal gift pipeline develops for the school.
Minimum Requirements	Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of related experience in alumni/development activities that demonstrate leadership and accomplishment in moves management, gift solicitation and closes at $50,000- $500,000+. Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities	Strong organizational capabilities are required as is a demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively with many constituencies and partners in a university or non-profit setting. Willingness to travel is essential. Other important characteristics of the DoD include a strong work ethic and drive, curiosity, personal integrity, excellent communication, the ability to prioritize projects and support a collaborative approach to development and fundraising planning. Preference will be given to individuals with five years of higher education development or alumni engagement experience and who can demonstrate successful results and increased responsibility over time. Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills. Must be able to work on several projects concurrently while meeting deadlines. Analytical skills are required. Ability to develop solicitation strategies around top university objectives/funding priorities.
Additional Comments Regarding Position	Evening and weekend work is required. Regular overnight travel expected. This position is hybrid work eligible (works remotely at least 1 day per week but not full time) after one year of successful employment at the College.
Special Instructions to Applicants	Please complete the application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements. Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check. All applications must be submitted online https://jobs.cofc.edu*.
Salary	*$83,717 - $110,000
Posting Date	09/12/2025
Closing Date	10/15/2025
Benefits	Insurance: Health/Dental/Vision Life Insurance Paid Leave: Sick/Annual/Parental Retirement Long Term Disability Paid Holidays Free CARTA Bus Service Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Full Benefits Package – Click Here
Open Until Filled	No
Posting Number	2025125
EEO Statement	The College of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of sex, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, and other classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please visit eop.cofc.edu.
Quicklink for Posting	https://jobs.cofc.edu/postings/17144

Job Duties

Activity	School/Unit Development Liaison- 40% · In addition to securing new commitments for key institutional priorities, the DoD is responsible for growing the major and principal gift program within the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics. · In collaboration with the school/unit leaders, establishes and reports progress toward fundraising goals and projections through annual planning. · Emphasis is placed on strategic identification, assignment, advancement, solicitation and stewardship of philanthropic partnerships at gift levels of $50,000-$500,000 or greater. · Leverages relationships with School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics faculty, staff and administration to develop a strong major and principal gift pipeline. · Successfully leads or is a part of complex and strategic prospect moves management conversations in partnership with campus leaders including but not limited to the Dean, CAO, Executive Director of Principal Gifts and Presidential Strategy, and Executive Director of School and Unit Development.
Essential or Marginal	Essential
Percent of Time	40

Activity	Portfolio Management: 50% · Manages the advancement of a dynamic portfolio of major and principal gift prospects in all phases of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with an emphasis on donors capable of philanthropic support at levels of $50,000 to $500,000 or greater. · Coordinates customized solicitation strategies in collaboration with strategic internal partners to include: Advancement Services; Corporate and Foundation Relations; Planned Giving; Marketing and Communications; Alumni Affairs; Academic Affairs; and the President’s Office to advance institutional fundraising priorities. · Plans and executes trips to engage these prospective donors one-on-one, when possible building schedules around campus leaders with particular focus on the Dean for the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics. · Creation and execution of strategic advancement plans for principal gift prospects as defined with capacity for gifts of $500,000+. · Collaborates with frontline officers, including regional advancement officers, to build the College of Charleston prospect pipeline via strong qualification and referral techniques.
Essential or Marginal	Essential
Percent of Time	50

Activity	Leadership Team: 10% · Exemplifies the College’s core values with specific focus on integrity, drive, curiosity and innovation. · Manages an autonomous fundraiser (VEO) used to identify and cultivate the prospect pipeline for the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics. · Maintains a productive and collaborative working relationship with Institutional Advancement colleagues and campus partners where cooperation is essential to effective Development programs. · Serves as a mentor, thought leader, and coach to development officers and colleagues when called upon. · Assists with special events and represents the College of Charleston to advance internal and external partnerships. Represents the College and Development Office at both on- and off-campus events. · Participates in preparation of Institutional Advancement’s quarterly and fiscal year workplans.
Essential or Marginal	Essential
Percent of Time	10

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- CofC - Alumni Career Services
- College of Charleston Website
- Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
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Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume
Cover Letter / Letter of Application
Reference List

Optional Documents

Other Document
Other Document 2
Other Document 3
Form DD 214

Email: jobs@cofc.edu
General Information: 843.953.5512
Mailing Address: 66 George St.
Charleston, SC 29424

HR Office 160 Calhoun St.
Lightsey Building B36
Charleston, SC 29424
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Original Job Description