The College of Engineering is preparing the next generation of engineers and pursuing groundbreaking research requiring transformational thinking, bold actions, and diverse partnerships. Grand challenges need great minds as the college creates solutions to make Iowa and the world a better place. The pursuit of excellence means strategically investing in students, faculty, staff, and facilities to reach new heights. A prestigious program is nothing without passion – and the college needs people to think creatively and help inspire donors to excel in the journey.

As one of our Directors of Development in the College of Engineering, you will meet frequently with donors face-to-face in their homes, at events or hosting at a restaurant or coffee shop. Working each day to connect donors’ philanthropic interests with campus priorities, you will blend your professional knowledge, relationship management skills, and talent with philanthropic strategies.

Based on qualifications and experience, a selected candidate may hold one of these job titles:  Director of Development, or Senior Director of Development.

Core Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work with team members to develop strategies to achieve goals for fundraising priorities.
• Plan and complete prospect engagement opportunities and present gift proposals.
• Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 125 assigned prospects. You will develop new prospect relationships while engaging previous and current donors. Working with campus and foundation teams, you will partner with our research team and identify prospects capable of making major gifts of $100,000 or greater.
• Travel extensively (up to 50%) to establish and nurture long-lasting, strong donor relationships with the end goal of proposing and closing major gift donations.
• Work independently and collaboratively with all levels of college administration, faculty, staff, donors and foundation development teams on a variety of donor-centered tasks and activities including foundation and college special events.
• Communicate in a variety of ways for a variety of purposes. You will write donor correspondence, contact reports and proposals, and provide briefings on program status. You will also communicate the foundation’s role and donor’s wishes to key campus and foundation staff.

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or appropriate related years of experience. Advanced degree or professional certification preferred.
• 4+ years of professional experience in any of the following areas: major gift fundraising, non-profit work, higher education, sales, communications, or another related field. Education may be substituted for years of experience.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Ability to achieve ambitious goals. You should have a remarkable track record for leading successful initiatives with measurable results.
• Savvy relationship-building and leadership skills and be an excellent communicator. You should be articulate and persuasive with diplomacy and tact to represent the foundation to multiple constituents, donors, and campus leadership. You must also have demonstrable skills in persuasive speaking and influencing others.
• Problem-solving skills and resourcefulness. You can champion donor-centeredness by understanding the desires of the donors and creating simple solutions.
• Strong team orientation, a dedicated work ethic, and a positive and professional attitude.
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple initiatives.
• Ability to use a variety of software applications.
• Creativity, patience, a sense of humor and a belief in our organizational mission of: Aligning donor passion and generosity to advance Iowa State University’s land grant ideals

Travel: Travel required

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Ames, IA; potentially hybrid

For additional information, visit the following pages:

•  Iowa State University Foundation
•  Benefits Package Information
•  Iowa State University
•  College of Engineering

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About Iowa State University Foundation

The Iowa State University Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to securing and stewarding private gifts and grants that benefit Iowa State University. Each year, thousands of generous benefactors make gifts to show their support for Iowa State.

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