Executive Director of Development, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Ames, Iowa at IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

The Executive Director of Development provides strategic leadership for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ comprehensive fundraising program, overseeing a high-performing development team while serving as a trusted advisor to the Dean and academic leadership. Partnering across the College and the Iowa State University Foundation, this leader will advance philanthropic priorities; secure major, leadership, and principal gifts; and strengthen donor engagement to support the College’s long-term vision and institutional success.

Supervisory Responsibilities

· Partner with HR and the Central Major Gift Team Lead to recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff.

· Oversee daily workflow of direct report(s).

· Provide constructive and timely performance feedback.

· Handle discipline of employees in accordance with company policy.

Primary Duties

· Lead the development team in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to grow private support aligned with overall University and Foundation priorities.

· Drive fundraising productivity with a team target of $10–$20 million annually.

· Directly supervise the team. Handle personnel matters: coach/mentor, supervise, and evaluate, providing formal written feedback twice a year and conducting regular check-ins with staff focused on performance management as well as career growth and leadership development. Prioritize individual and team goals and objectives in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan and vision.

· Collaborate and consult with College leadership to ensure that the fundraising programs are operated in accordance with the procedures, goals, and needs of the College and have the full support, cooperation, and involvement of College leadership.

· Provide strategic counsel to the Dean on all matters related to growing fundraising production in the College. Serve as a conduit to Foundation leadership and services.

· Independently and collaboratively develop donor strategies for increasing major, leadership and principal gift activity for top priorities in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and for Iowa State University. Conduct activities to meet or exceed individual metrics and personal goals, implementing the established procedures, policies, and standards of the ISU Foundation.

· Delegate and direct work assignments of assigned support staff including but not limited to activities related to fundraising and constituent unit relations.

· Autonomously and collaboratively with Foundation colleagues, facilitate the movement of major gift prospects through the donor continuum including the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of such prospects. This activity will focus on presenting quality proposals of $100,000 or more and will be part of managing a portfolio of 50–75 donors and prospects.

· Plan annual unit and personal fundraising objectives in the context of the ISU Foundation strategic plan and annual priorities. Keep supervisor informed of key activities and initiatives.

· In collaboration with Foundation colleagues, develop and implement appropriate stewardship activities for donors. This will include acknowledgment letters from the Foundation and appropriate College leadership, as well as publicity of gifts when appropriate, and other donor relations efforts for the College.

Secondary Duties

· Actively participate in the engagement of alumni and top prospects through advisory councils, awards, and strategic events.

· Enthusiastically assist with Foundation special events and activities as needed.

· Volunteer to participate or lead ad hoc teams whenever possible and applicable.

· Enthusiastically and vocally support developments in the Foundation among internal and external staff and audiences.

· Participate in public celebrations of the successes of other development colleagues and their units.

· Volunteer to help efforts to promote the Foundation reputation as an industry leader.

Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree or professional certification preferred.

Eight years of professional experience related to employment area. Experience in higher education fundraising is preferred. Minimum of four years of experience managing professional fundraising staff and budget management.

Travel: Travel required

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Ames, IA; potentially hybrid

The Iowa State University Foundation has retained Lindauer, an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled.

Candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter. Communications, nominations, applications, and inquiries concerning this search should be directed to Raegan Harvey, Senior Consultant, rharvey@lindauerglobal.com.