Appalachian State University
Director of Development for Strategic Priorities
🇺🇸
Boone, NC
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$88K - $125K
💻
Development & Advancement
🗓️
July 17th, 2026
CRM
Edtech.com's Summary
Appalachian State University is hiring a Director of Development for Strategic Priorities. The role leads major gift strategies to advance the university's highest-impact initiatives by identifying, cultivating, and securing transformational philanthropic investments that support institutional priorities and enhance the university's reputation.
Highlights
- Lead major gift strategy to support high-impact university priorities.
- Manage a portfolio of 60-80 major gift prospects with clear goals and progression.
- Develop proposals and cases for support aligned with institutional needs.
- Partner with academic leaders and college deans to identify funding opportunities and shape donor strategies.
- Coordinate outreach and collaborate with development colleagues to meet enterprise-wide fundraising goals.
- Conduct regional and national donor travel and steward major donors with communication and impact reporting.
- Utilize CRM systems and data-informed practices to track activities and evaluate progress.
- Minimum qualifications: Bachelor's degree, three years of fundraising or related experience, relationship management skills, willingness to travel, and availability for evening work.
- Preferred qualifications include a Master’s degree, major/planned gift experience in higher education, success securing large philanthropic commitments, and familiarity with advancement best practices.
- Suggested salary range of $88,000 - $125,000.
Director of Development for Strategic Priorities Full Description
Director of Development for Strategic Priorities Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the
Apply for this Job link/button. If you would like to bookmark this position for later review, click on the Bookmark this Posting link. If you would like to print a copy of this position for your records, click on the Print Preview link.
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
For consideration, please attach the following:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Include three (3) references with contact information in the body of the application.
Posting Details
Request to Recruit
Position Title | Director of Development for Strategic Priorities
Location | Boone, NC
Faculty Rank |
Provide Rank |
Position Number | 000981
Department | University Advancement-VC - 500000
Location | Boone, NC
Faculty Rank |
Provide Rank |
Position Number | 000981
Department | University Advancement-VC - 500000
Position Summary Information
Primary Purpose | The Director of Development for Strategic Priorities drives major gift success for
Appalachian State by leading philanthropic strategy for the university’s highest‑impact
initiatives. This role identifies, cultivates, and secures transformational investments that
elevate App State’s mission, fuel institutional priorities, and expand the university’s
reach and reputation.
Minimum Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution Three years of experience in fundraising, development, sales, or a closely related
field Demonstrated ability to build and manage productive external relationships Willingness to travel frequently for donor engagement and university business Availability for evening work as required for events and donor meetings
License/Certification Required
Preferred Qualifications | Master’s degree in a relevant field Experience with major and planned gifts in a college or university setting Demonstrated success in securing five, six, or seven‑figure philanthropic commitments Experience collaborating with academic leadership, faculty, and campus partners Knowledge of advancement best practices, donor engagement strategies, and campaign environments Ability to manage a dynamic portfolio and prioritize high‑impact prospects Strong communication skills for donor meetings, proposals, and strategic presentations Experience working with volunteer leaders, advisory groups, or boards Familiarity with CRM systems and data‑informed fundraising practices
Essential Duties and Responsibilities | Lead major gift strategy to advance high‑impact university priorities Manage a focused portfolio of 60-80 major gift prospects with clear goals and
movement Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors capable of making transformational
philanthropic investments Develop compelling proposals and cases for support aligned with institutional needs Conduct strategic donor travel regionally and nationally to engage high‑capacity
prospects Partner with College Deans and academic leaders to surface funding opportunities
and shape donor strategies Collaborate with Development colleagues to coordinate outreach, share insights,
and support enterprise‑wide fundraising goals Engage campus units, including administrative areas and Athletics, to align
philanthropic opportunities with donor interests Plan and execute solicitations for major gifts, including strategy, preparation, and
follow‑through Steward major donors with meaningful communication, impact reporting, and
long‑term engagement Use data and CRM tools to track activity, inform decisions, and evaluate progress
toward goals Support campaign initiatives through coordinated strategy, prospect alignment, and
donor engagement Represent App State at donor meetings, events, and university functions with
professionalism and enthusiasm Maintain confidentiality and compliance with university, state, and industry standards
Type of Position | Full Time Position
Staff/Non-Faculty | Staff/Non-Faculty
VISA Sponsorship? | VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.
Appointment Type | 1.0
Work Schedule/Hours | 40
Number of Hours Per Week | 12
Number of Months Per Year | 12
Mandatory Staff | No
Suggested Salary Range | $88,000 - $125,000
Physical Demands of Position |
Appalachian State by leading philanthropic strategy for the university’s highest‑impact
initiatives. This role identifies, cultivates, and secures transformational investments that
elevate App State’s mission, fuel institutional priorities, and expand the university’s
reach and reputation.
Minimum Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution Three years of experience in fundraising, development, sales, or a closely related
field Demonstrated ability to build and manage productive external relationships Willingness to travel frequently for donor engagement and university business Availability for evening work as required for events and donor meetings
License/Certification Required
Preferred Qualifications | Master’s degree in a relevant field Experience with major and planned gifts in a college or university setting Demonstrated success in securing five, six, or seven‑figure philanthropic commitments Experience collaborating with academic leadership, faculty, and campus partners Knowledge of advancement best practices, donor engagement strategies, and campaign environments Ability to manage a dynamic portfolio and prioritize high‑impact prospects Strong communication skills for donor meetings, proposals, and strategic presentations Experience working with volunteer leaders, advisory groups, or boards Familiarity with CRM systems and data‑informed fundraising practices
Essential Duties and Responsibilities | Lead major gift strategy to advance high‑impact university priorities Manage a focused portfolio of 60-80 major gift prospects with clear goals and
movement Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors capable of making transformational
philanthropic investments Develop compelling proposals and cases for support aligned with institutional needs Conduct strategic donor travel regionally and nationally to engage high‑capacity
prospects Partner with College Deans and academic leaders to surface funding opportunities
and shape donor strategies Collaborate with Development colleagues to coordinate outreach, share insights,
and support enterprise‑wide fundraising goals Engage campus units, including administrative areas and Athletics, to align
philanthropic opportunities with donor interests Plan and execute solicitations for major gifts, including strategy, preparation, and
follow‑through Steward major donors with meaningful communication, impact reporting, and
long‑term engagement Use data and CRM tools to track activity, inform decisions, and evaluate progress
toward goals Support campaign initiatives through coordinated strategy, prospect alignment, and
donor engagement Represent App State at donor meetings, events, and university functions with
professionalism and enthusiasm Maintain confidentiality and compliance with university, state, and industry standards
Type of Position | Full Time Position
Staff/Non-Faculty | Staff/Non-Faculty
VISA Sponsorship? | VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.
Appointment Type | 1.0
Work Schedule/Hours | 40
Number of Hours Per Week | 12
Number of Months Per Year | 12
Mandatory Staff | No
Suggested Salary Range | $88,000 - $125,000
Physical Demands of Position |
Posting Details Information
Posting Date | 07/16/2026
Closing Date | 08/30/2026
Open Until Filled | No
Evaluation of Applications Begins | 07/20/2026
Proposed Date of Hire |
Special Instructions to Applicants | For consideration, please attach the following: Resume Cover Letter
Include three (3) references with contact information in the body of the application.
Search Chair Name | Katie Pate
Search Chair Email | [email protected]
Quick Link | https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/55162
Posting Number | 201501814P
Closing Date | 08/30/2026
Open Until Filled | No
Evaluation of Applications Begins | 07/20/2026
Proposed Date of Hire |
Special Instructions to Applicants | For consideration, please attach the following: Resume Cover Letter
Include three (3) references with contact information in the body of the application.
Search Chair Name | Katie Pate
Search Chair Email | [email protected]
Quick Link | https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/55162
Posting Number | 201501814P
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
Optional Documents
Similar Jobs
Associate Director of Development
Hofstra University
🇺🇸 Hempstead, NY
Assistant Director of Development
Hofstra University
🇺🇸 Hempstead, NY
Development Associate
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
🇺🇸 Chapel Hill, NC
Assistant Vice President of Advancement - Brain Health & Discovery Programs - Woodruff Health Sciences Center
Emory University
🇺🇸 Hybrid - Atlanta, GA
Executive Director of Foundation Relations & Institutional Giving
University of Massachusetts
🇺🇸 Lowell, MA
