Development Officer III Swaner EcoCenter

The Director of Development (Development Officer III) for Utah State University Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter is responsible for advancing the universitys mission through the identification cultivation solicitation and stewardship of major gifts ($25000 and above). This position will work both independently and in collaboration with Swaner staff and across USU colleges departments and programs to help achieve specific fundraising goals.

The Director of Development for the USU Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter enhances fundraising donor relations strategic partnerships and revenue-generation initiatives in support of the Centers mission to preserve the land and the human connection to the natural landscape educate the local and broader communities about the value of nature and nurture both the ecosystem and the people connected with it. This position is responsible for cultivating major donors securing philanthropic support and partnering across the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and USU to achieve ambitious funding goals. This position may require travel including overnight trips. This position also requires event attendance that may occur during nights and weekends.

The Director of Development will report to the Executive Director of Statewide & Extension Development. Statewide & Extension Development is part of the USU Advancement Central Development unit.

Major Gift Solicitation

• Successfully solicit major gifts ($25000 and above) from Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter members and supporters and university alumni and friends.
• Strategically manage solicitation timing amount and purpose.
• Develop a multi-year pipeline of support.
• Draft fundraising proposals that align with donors philanthropic interests.

Donor Engagement and Prospect Management

• Build relationships and engage with constituents through individual outreach and communication efforts.
• Utilize university events to connect with Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter members and supporters and alumni and friends of the university.
• Cultivate and steward donors while expressing appreciation and communicating impact.
• Manage prospects and donors through deliberate actions to enhance their engagement with USU and strengthen their desire to support the mission and vision of the university and its programs and in particular the mission and vision of USUs Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and its programs.

Philanthropic Strategies

• A strong understanding of philanthropic giving methods and strategies is required to have meaningful gift conversations with constituents.
• Ability to work within and communicate the philanthropic gift framework established by USU Advancement.
• Knowledge of USU philanthropic impact areas funds programs and campaigns to best connect donors with causes that are meaningful to them.

Communication and Collaboration

• Communicate effectively and collaborate with university advancement staff Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter staff collegiate development officers program and department heads and university administration.
• Effectively communicate fundraising initiatives opportunities and strategies with university supporters.

Strategic Planning

• Work closely with the Executive Director of Extension and Statewide Enterprise the Executive Director of the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and university program leaders to establish strategic fundraising initiatives and goals.
• Collaborate with Executive Director of Extension and Statewide Enterprise Development Officer Analysts and the Executive Director of the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter to determine strategic outreach and donor development actions.
• Seek out and fulfill opportunities to meet with and participate on volunteer boards committees and councils made up of university and community stakeholders and USU administration.

University Representation

• Must represent the university and in particular the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter during meetings donor visits and events while communicating the universitys and Swaners mission vision and impact.
• While in a working capacity it is vital to always represent the university in a first-class manner and avoid engaging in any actions that could reflect negatively on the university.

Goal Achievement

• Meet and exceed annual metrics including but not limited to number of visits solicitations gifts received and gift amount totals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in a related field plus three years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to have complex gift conversations and a track record of closing gifts or negotiating contracts.
• Demonstrated experience building successful productive and collaborative relationships with top university administrators deans and/or board members.
• Demonstrated experience staffing deans councils advisory boards and/or committees.
• Supervisory and coaching experience of professional staff.
• Willingness and ability to travel; evening and weekend work is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced academic degree.
• Successful major gift fundraising experience.
• Knowledge & experience with the fundraising landscape in Park City & Summit County Utah.
• Experience working in higher education.
• Familiarity and literacy with regard to nature centers or other organizations focused on conservation environmental education and the relationship between humans and nature.
• Knowledge and experience in using fundraising software and CRM systems.
• Experience designing and executing comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• Record of success in establishing positive relationships with donors alumni students faculty and staff.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication skills as well as analytical research and management skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the use of information technology to support advancement programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills particularly with donors volunteers and staff members from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to position the Vice President for Advancement the Executive Director of Extension & Statewide Enterprise and the Executive Director of the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter to maximize their potential as fundraisers for the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (partners program participants visitors students alumni faculty staff) from diverse backgrounds.

Along with the online application please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

3. Contact Information for Professional References to be typed at the beginning of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants but not necessarily occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The Division of Advancement is a welcoming office where teamwork and inclusiveness are highly valued. Advancement staff are engaged in the meaningful work of securing private financial resources to fuel Utah State Universitys mission by creating gratifying gift and engagement experiences for USUs generous and passionate alumni and friends. Comprising the division are the office of the Vice President the USU Foundation & Board Advancement Services the Alumni Association (Alumni Engagement) Gift Planning Corporations and Foundations Strategic Communications Stewardship the Annual Fund and ACE (Alumni Center for Engagement). Furthermore the division coordinates all fundraising efforts across campus including colleges various programs extension campuses and USU Athletics. Through the collaboration of these units the Division of Advancement is able to achieve significant annual fundraising goals by inspiring stakeholders to invest their time and resources in Utah State University.

Founded in 1888 Utah State University is Utahs premier land-grant public service university. As an R1 research institution Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local regional and global communities. USU prepares students to be active civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education USU remains a leader in research discovery and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29800 students both online and in person atlocations throughout the state.Utah States 30 locations include a main campus in Logan Utah residential campuses in Price and Blanding and six additional statewide campuses along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season.The Aggies long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in womens volleyball three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in womens soccer conference championships and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics reflecting USUs commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected valued and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit hire and retain people from all walks of life who willchampion excellence in education research discovery outreach and believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be recognized our commitment to employees when they namedUtah State the best employer in Utahin 2023.Learn moreabout USU.

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*updated 12/2025

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In all circumstances Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USUs non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination please visit or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

*updated 10/2025