Stephen F. Austin State University
Director of Development
🇺🇸 Nacogdoches, TX
🕑 Full-Time
💰 TBD
💻 Project Management
🗓️ July 8th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
Stephen F. Austin State University is hiring a Director of Development. The role involves building and enhancing a comprehensive development program focused on major, leadership, and principal gifts to support the College of Sciences and Mathematics and the university. The director collaborates with advancement leadership, academic dean, and faculty, manages donor relationships, creates proposals, and secures philanthropic support under moderate supervision.
Highlights
- Cultivates and expands relationships to increase philanthropic support.
- Identifies new prospects and secures major, leadership, and principal gifts.
- Prepares proposals, manages solicitation efforts, and coordinates donor events.
- Collaborates with university units to align fundraising strategies for donors.
- Manages a portfolio with a minimum of 125 major gift prospects and sets fiscal year goals.
- Requires knowledge of fundraising techniques, public relations, marketing, and university policies.
- Skilled in computer applications including spreadsheets, databases, and word processing.
- Must have a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of related experience in major/planned gift fundraising or related fields; master’s degree preferred.
- Position includes frequent travel and may require evening, weekend, and holiday work.
- Eligible for participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; subject to criminal background check.
Director of Development Full Description
Director of Development
Posting Details
Position Information
Job Title | Director of Development
Full Time/Part Time | Full Time
FLSA | Exempt
General Job Description
This is a professional position responsible for building and enhancing a comprehensive development program with a focus on major, leadership, and principal gifts to support the initiatives of the assigned college as well as the university. Works closely with advancement leadership, the academic dean, and faculty to establish and grow a robust philanthropic program within the college. Works under moderate supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Associate Vice President.
Essential Job Functions
1. Cultivates existing relationships to increase current philanthropic support.
2. Proactively identifies new prospects and builds relationships with the intent of securing major, leadership, and principal gifts.
3. Makes personal visits and creates proposals and written correspondence as primary methods of donor engagement. Plans, organizes, coordinates, and manages daily activities to maximize gift solicitation efforts and events.
4. Uses all available university resources to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift support within reason.
5. Collaborates with university partners/units and other development staff to coordinate fundraising strategies for donors with multiple interests.
6. May work to design donor and volunteer cultivation events as appropriate in order to attract and retain interest in the college and affiliated programs.
7. Works daily to ensure timely and accurate completion of proposals, pledges, and fund agreements. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of prospect strategies and contact reports, evaluates new prospects, and generates reports and other correspondence as necessary to cultivate prospects.
8. Proactively represents the university at external events to identify prospects and grow network of support.
9. Develops and manages portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects capable of making significant gifts in order to secure gift commitments. Portfolio size consists of a minimum of 125 major gift prospects.
10. Sets fiscal year goals related to key measures such as personal contacts, number of proposed gifts, private grants, and prospect identification in consultation with advancement leadership.
11. Plans and implements programs with measurable targets that are connected to achieving fiscal year goals.
12. Requires frequent travel, evening, night, weekend, and potential holiday work.
Non-Essential Job Functions | Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities | The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
1. Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, university policies and procedures.
2. Knowledge of fundraising, public relations, marketing, or sales.
3. Knowledge of fundraising techniques.
4. Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, current issues facing public universities and higher education in general.
5. Organizational skills in managing projects simultaneously while maintaining a satisfactory work product.
6. Skill in using computer applications including spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
7. Ability to cultivate and solicit donations from individuals and organizations at major and leadership gift levels.
8. Ability to establish, nurture, and maintain effective and productive relationships with internal and external contacts.
9. Ability to analyze data/situations and work proactively to solve problems.
10. Ability to think strategically and analytically.
11. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form, using a variety of styles to achieve successful outcomes and negotiate agreements.
12. Ability to set and adapt to changing priorities while completing assignments on time.
13. Ability to recruit volunteers and manage their activities.
14. Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team and independently with moderate supervision.
15. Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
16. Ability to learn office and university-specific software.
17. Ability to work evenings, nights and weekends as necessary.
Physical Demands |
Required Education | Bachelor’s degree is required. Related experience may be substituted for required education on a basis set forth by the Department of Human Resources.
Required Experience and Training | Three years of related experience in major or planned gift fundraising, sales, business development, account management, marketing, and/or public relations is required. Successful record of working with boards, donors, the public, and staff is required. Demonstrated experience in cultivating and soliciting donations from individuals and organizations at major and leadership gift levels is required. Additional education may substitute for experience on a basis set forth by the Department of Human Resources.
Preferred Qualifications | Master’s degree is preferred.
Special Conditions for Eligibility | This is a security-sensitive position subject to criminal record check.
This is an IT-sensitive position subject to the Computer and Network Security policy.
Min Pay Rate |
Mid Pay Rate |
Salary Information | Commensurate with Experience, Salary Grade - 6
Specific Job Requirements/Duties for this Posting | This position serves as the dedicated Director of Development for the College of Sciences and Mathematics.
Is Background Check Required? | Yes
Benefit and Retirement Eligibility | This position is eligible for participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirement plan, subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
EEO Statement | Stephen F. Austin State University, an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and Educator, is committed to excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, creed, color, age, national origin, religion or physical or mental disability as required by law. If, because of an impairment or disability, you need accommodation during any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at 936-468-2304.
Full Time/Part Time | Full Time
FLSA | Exempt
General Job Description
This is a professional position responsible for building and enhancing a comprehensive development program with a focus on major, leadership, and principal gifts to support the initiatives of the assigned college as well as the university. Works closely with advancement leadership, the academic dean, and faculty to establish and grow a robust philanthropic program within the college. Works under moderate supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Associate Vice President.
Essential Job Functions
1. Cultivates existing relationships to increase current philanthropic support.
2. Proactively identifies new prospects and builds relationships with the intent of securing major, leadership, and principal gifts.
3. Makes personal visits and creates proposals and written correspondence as primary methods of donor engagement. Plans, organizes, coordinates, and manages daily activities to maximize gift solicitation efforts and events.
4. Uses all available university resources to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift support within reason.
5. Collaborates with university partners/units and other development staff to coordinate fundraising strategies for donors with multiple interests.
6. May work to design donor and volunteer cultivation events as appropriate in order to attract and retain interest in the college and affiliated programs.
7. Works daily to ensure timely and accurate completion of proposals, pledges, and fund agreements. Maintains accurate and timely documentation of prospect strategies and contact reports, evaluates new prospects, and generates reports and other correspondence as necessary to cultivate prospects.
8. Proactively represents the university at external events to identify prospects and grow network of support.
9. Develops and manages portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects capable of making significant gifts in order to secure gift commitments. Portfolio size consists of a minimum of 125 major gift prospects.
10. Sets fiscal year goals related to key measures such as personal contacts, number of proposed gifts, private grants, and prospect identification in consultation with advancement leadership.
11. Plans and implements programs with measurable targets that are connected to achieving fiscal year goals.
12. Requires frequent travel, evening, night, weekend, and potential holiday work.
Non-Essential Job Functions | Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities | The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
1. Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, university policies and procedures.
2. Knowledge of fundraising, public relations, marketing, or sales.
3. Knowledge of fundraising techniques.
4. Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, current issues facing public universities and higher education in general.
5. Organizational skills in managing projects simultaneously while maintaining a satisfactory work product.
6. Skill in using computer applications including spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
7. Ability to cultivate and solicit donations from individuals and organizations at major and leadership gift levels.
8. Ability to establish, nurture, and maintain effective and productive relationships with internal and external contacts.
9. Ability to analyze data/situations and work proactively to solve problems.
10. Ability to think strategically and analytically.
11. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form, using a variety of styles to achieve successful outcomes and negotiate agreements.
12. Ability to set and adapt to changing priorities while completing assignments on time.
13. Ability to recruit volunteers and manage their activities.
14. Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team and independently with moderate supervision.
15. Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
16. Ability to learn office and university-specific software.
17. Ability to work evenings, nights and weekends as necessary.
Physical Demands |
Required Education | Bachelor’s degree is required. Related experience may be substituted for required education on a basis set forth by the Department of Human Resources.
Required Experience and Training | Three years of related experience in major or planned gift fundraising, sales, business development, account management, marketing, and/or public relations is required. Successful record of working with boards, donors, the public, and staff is required. Demonstrated experience in cultivating and soliciting donations from individuals and organizations at major and leadership gift levels is required. Additional education may substitute for experience on a basis set forth by the Department of Human Resources.
Preferred Qualifications | Master’s degree is preferred.
Special Conditions for Eligibility | This is a security-sensitive position subject to criminal record check.
This is an IT-sensitive position subject to the Computer and Network Security policy.
Min Pay Rate |
Mid Pay Rate |
Salary Information | Commensurate with Experience, Salary Grade - 6
Specific Job Requirements/Duties for this Posting | This position serves as the dedicated Director of Development for the College of Sciences and Mathematics.
Is Background Check Required? | Yes
Benefit and Retirement Eligibility | This position is eligible for participation in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) retirement plan, subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
EEO Statement | Stephen F. Austin State University, an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and Educator, is committed to excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, creed, color, age, national origin, religion or physical or mental disability as required by law. If, because of an impairment or disability, you need accommodation during any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at 936-468-2304.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number | S2025-115
Candidates Eligible to Apply | Open to all qualified applicants
Number of Positions Available | 1
Posted Date | 07/07/2025
Review Start Date |
Close Date |
Work Schedule |
Open Until Filled | Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants |
Posting Quick Link | https://careers.sfasu.edu/postings/13090
Candidates Eligible to Apply | Open to all qualified applicants
Number of Positions Available | 1
Posted Date | 07/07/2025
Review Start Date |
Close Date |
Work Schedule |
Open Until Filled | Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants |
Posting Quick Link | https://careers.sfasu.edu/postings/13090
Contact Information
Contact Name | Trey Turner
Contact Phone | (936)468-5406
Contact Email | turnertrey@sfasu.edu
Contact Information | Applicants will be contacted by the hiring department if selected for an interview If you have technical questions about this job posting, please contact HR at (936) 468-2304.
Contact Phone | (936)468-5406
Contact Email | turnertrey@sfasu.edu
Contact Information | Applicants will be contacted by the hiring department if selected for an interview If you have technical questions about this job posting, please contact HR at (936) 468-2304.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Which of the following best represents your education background?
- Completed High School Diploma or GED
- Completed some college
- Completed Associates Degree
- Completed Bachelor's Degree
- Completed Master's Degree
- Completed Doctoral Degree or ABD
- If you completed a college degree, please indicate your major field of study.
(Open Ended Question) - * How many years of related experience do you have?
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10+
- * Describe any work experience relevant to this posting.
(Open Ended Question) - * Describe your proficiency and experience with basic office software (word processing, email/ scheduling/contacts, web browser, spreadsheets, filing, etc.).
(Open Ended Question)
Documents Needed To Apply
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- List of References
Optional Documents
- Transcript(s)
- Letter of Recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae
- Media File
- Letter of Recommendation 1
- Letter of Recommendation 2
- Letter of Recommendation 3
- Other Document
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