Lead Senior Director of Advancement, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring a Lead Senior Director of Advancement, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. This role leads and manages a comprehensive advancement program focused on major gifts fundraising, alumni relations, and corporate engagement. The position supervises the Advancement team, develops fundraising strategies, manages donor relations including solicitation and stewardship, and coordinates with the College dean and University Development to execute strategic external relations initiatives.

Highlights

Lead and supervise a team responsible for development and external relations efforts.

Plan, manage, and implement major gifts fundraising and alumni engagement programs.

Serve as Prospect Manager for donors with capacity over $25,000, using Blackbaud CRM for tracking.

Collaborate with College dean, Assistant VP of Development, and other university offices on fundraising and corporate engagement.

Develop annual fundraising plans and budgets in coordination with leadership.

Required to have a bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience; supervisory experience is necessary.

Preferred experience includes major gift fundraising with successful $1M+ solicitations and familiarity with Blackbaud CRM.

Must possess strong communication skills and ability to establish relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Starting salary is $116,104, commensurate with qualifications, with full-time, 37.5 hours/week schedule.

Position reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development and the College dean, working within USC Development protocols.

Lead Senior Director of Advancement, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences Full Description

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by February 2, 2026.

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Logo
Posting Number	STA00989PO25
Job Family	Alumni Relations and Development
Job Function	Development
USC Market Title	Lead Senior Director of Development
Link to USC Market Title	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/148858
Job Level	M4 - Managerial
Business Title (Internal Title)	Lead Senior Director of Advancement, McCausland College of Arts and Sciences
Campus	Columbia
Work County	Richland
College/Division	Division of Development
Department	DEV Development Office
State Pay Band	Unclassified
Approved Starting Salary	$116,104
Advertised Salary Range	$116,104 - commensurate with qualifications
Location of Vacancy	Columbia, SC On-site
Part/Full Time	Full Time
Hours per Week	37.5
Work Schedule	*Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm* *Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.*
Basis	12 months
Job Search Category	Alumni Development

About USC

About University of South Carolina	From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement	The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary	Under limited supervision, the Lead Senior Director of Advancement (Senior DOA) for the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences (College) is responsible for an effective, comprehensive, and ongoing advancement program through major gifts fundraising, alumni relations, and corporate engagement. Responsibilities include planning, managing, implementing, promoting, coordinating, and administering the advancement program with an emphasis on major gifts for the College. This includes other responsibilities of the development operations and external relations for the College and the supervision of the Advancement team. This position reports to the Assistant Vice President of Development (AVP) for the fundraising expertise and strategies and is responsible to the dean for the execution of a strategic vision for external relations for the College. The dean provides direction on the fundraising priorities and strategic vision for the College. The development component of this position is part of the University Development team and operates within the system and procedures of USC Development to ensure consistent and well-coordinated activities across the College, University Development, and the University system.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience	Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications	Bachelor’s degree and 5 years proven experience major gift/development in higher education and/or hybrid development model. Previous campaign experience including experience soliciting and closing $1M gifts. Familiarity with Blackbaud CRM donor database preferred.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities	Thorough knowledge of principles and methods of planning and conducting a comprehensive fundraising program. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with faculty, alumni, donors, students, volunteers, businesses, and the general public. Outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to travel, work evenings and weekends, as required. Effective computer experience including database operation and word processing. Supervisory experience in hiring, managing, training and mentoring development directors and administrative staff are required. Proven ability to develop relationships with leaders in a broad range of professions.

Job Duties

Job Duty	Oversees and leads a team of development and external relations engagement efforts. Creates and fosters an environment conducive to high performance and a cohesive team, recruits, trains, and mentors professional staff. Manages staff maintaining clear monthly goals and annual performance reviews; develops performance plans and conducts reviews. Assesses effectiveness of staff, processes, procedures, resource allocation and strategies. Clearly articulates expectations, standards of accountability and guidance of staff toward desired outcomes. Strategizes and implements fundraising plans to grow leadership annual giving program and major/principal gifts program.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	25%

Job Duty	Serves as Prospect Manager for potential donors with capacity over $25,000 with emphasis on current and future major gifts for the College to include advancement operations and external relations engagement strategies. Responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting a gift portfolio that benefits the program priorities of the College. Uses Blackbaud CRM to coordinate and document all prospect and donor relationships as well as any relevant assignment, cultivation, or solicitation information or pending opportunities.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10%

Job Duty	Solicits prospective donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations in coordination with central’s office of Corporate and Foundation Relations, office of Principal Gifts, office of Principal Gifts, and/or the office of Gift Planning. Number of solicitations are set and established by the AVP and Dean with consultation with the Senior DOA that may include individual and team solicitation goals. All solicitations are documented within a Plan and Opportunity in Blackbaud CRM. Establish a donor pipeline by entering all opportunities in Blackbaud CRM. Adheres to Prospect Development policies and procedures.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	10%

Job Duty	Meets process performance goals set and established by the AVP and the Dean with consultation with the Senior DOA that includes individual and team goals. These goals include a set number of personal initial visits, and solicitations, with a focus on the Top 5 gift closures selected at the beginning of the fiscal year, and tracked via the Fundraiser Dashboard through timely documentation in Blackbaud CRM. Stewardship visits are strongly encouraged. Specific goals will also be set regarding alumni engagement and corporate relations.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15%

Job Duty	Actively works with the AVP, College dean, directors, area coordinators, faculty, alumni and key volunteers in fundraising, external relations, and in corporate engagement efforts. Partners closely with Gift Planning, Annual Giving, Principal Gifts, and Corporate and Foundation Relations for opportunities to gain expertise from the support fundraising programs.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15%

Job Duty	In collaboration with the AVP and College dean, develops an annual plan of work, including specific fundraising strategies, campaign, prospect development, stewardship and programmatic goals, priorities and needs. Prepares reports and other required information as requested. May work with the College’s Budget Director on program budget allocation.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	15%

Job Duty	Serves as a member of the overall USC development team by collaborating with colleagues across disciplines on donor strategies. Files timely contact reports timed with reimbursement requests; maintains accurate records and provides timely updated information in Blackbaud CRM as appropriate. Serves on committees and attends staff meetings as required.
Essential Function	Yes
Percentage of Time	5%

Job Duty	Accepts and implements other specific assignments as directed.
Essential Function	No
Percentage of Time	5%

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive	No
Hazardous weather category	Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies	1
Desired Start Date
Job Open Date	12/19/2025
Job Close Date	02/02/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Special Instructions to Applicant	Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. *We are only accepting applications submitted by* February 2, 2026.
Quicklink for Posting	https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/200341
EEO Statement	The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Do you have a bachelor's degree and 5 or more years of experience, which may be substituted by equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience?
- Yes
- No
* If so, please tell us how you qualify?

(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have supervisory experience?
- Yes
- No
* If you have supervisory experience, how many years do you have?
- 0 - under 3 years of supervisory experience.
- 3 - under 5 years of supervisory experience.
- 5 - under 8 years of supervisory experience.
- More than 8 years of supervisory experience.
* Are you willing to travel to geographical locations of donors/prospects, work evenings, and weekends?
- Yes
- No
* Do you have a reliable means of transportation?
- Yes
- No
* Although we accept resumes for review, the application is the official hiring document maintained by the university. Offers of employment and starting salaries are based on the education and work experience (including beginning and end dates) included in the university application only, not your resume. Have you included all details for all education, volunteer and work experiences in your job application?
- Yes
- No
- No Answer

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter
Resume
List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents

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Original Job Description