Senior Director of Development for Engineering

The College of Engineering (CoE) at Utah State University is entering an exciting era of growth and innovation. With the continued expansion of Computer Science and plans to establish new programs in Energy Engineering Chemical Engineering and the School of Computing the college is significantly increasing its academic reach and impact. Corporate partners alumni and industry leaders are stepping forward to support these priorities creating opportunities for transformational philanthropy.

The Senior Director of Development (Development Officer SR) is a key member of the College of Engineering advancement team responsible for advancing the colleges mission through the identification cultivation solicitation and stewardship of major and principal gifts ($25000 and above) with an emphasis on securing leadership and transformational commitments. This position works in close partnership with the Executive Director of Development the Dean department heads faculty and key stakeholders to align philanthropic support with the colleges strategic priorities and growth initiatives.

This position operates as part of a small collaborative development team within the College of Engineering contributing to overall fundraising strategy and execution while maintaining a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors and corporate partners. The Senior Director plays a significant role in strengthening donor and industry relationships supporting college priorities and advancing a culture of philanthropy across the college.
This position requires extensive travel including overnight trips and occasional event attendance during evenings and weekends.

Major Gift Solicitation

• Successfully solicit major and principal gifts ($25000 and above) from alumni corporate partners and friends of the College of Engineering with a focus on securing leadership-level and transformational commitments.
• Strategically manage solicitation timing amount and purpose in alignment with college priorities including support for emerging programs such as Energy Engineering Chemical Engineering and the School of Computing.
• Develop and manage a multi-year pipeline of high-capacity individual and corporate prospects.
• Lead the development of compelling proposals that align donor interests with college priorities including research student success faculty support and innovation initiatives.

Team Collaboration and Contribution

• Contribute to a high-performing collaborative development team within the College of Engineering.
• Partner with the Executive Director of Development and colleagues to support team goals strategy development and overall fundraising success.
• Participate in joint donor visits and collaborative strategy discussions to enhance team effectiveness.
• Support a positive accountable and donor-focused team culture.

Donor Engagement and Prospect Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni donors and corporate partners through strategic outreach and engagement.
• Engage industry partners in supporting research workforce development and innovation aligned with the colleges growth.
• Cultivate and steward donors through meaningful communication that demonstrates impact and strengthens long-term engagement.
• Manage prospects through deliberate strategies to enhance engagement and increase philanthropic investment in the College of Engineering.

Philanthropic Strategies

• Demonstrate a strong understanding of philanthropic giving methods including complex and blended gifts to support meaningful donor conversations.
• Align fundraising strategies with college priorities and broader campaign initiatives.
• Maintain deep knowledge of college priorities funding opportunities and emerging initiatives to effectively connect donors with areas of impact.

Communication and Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director of Development Dean faculty department heads and colleagues to identify and advance funding opportunities.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders regarding fundraising opportunities and impact.

University Representation

• Represent the College of Engineering in donor meetings corporate engagements and public events with professionalism and credibility.
• Support advisory boards councils and industry partners connected to the college.
• Uphold and promote the universitys mission vision and impact in all interactions.

Goal Achievement

• Meet and exceed annual metrics including major and principal gift revenue donor visits solicitations and pipeline development.
• Contribute to overall team success and collective fundraising outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree plus five years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to lead complex gift conversations and close significant philanthropic or corporate investments.
• Demonstrated track record of securing major gifts.
• Experience working effectively with senior administrators deans faculty and advisory boards.
• Demonstrated experience staffing advisory councils campaign committees or similar groups.
• Strong written verbal and interpersonal communication skills along with analytical and organizational abilities.
• Experience utilizing CRM systems and data-informed fundraising strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders including corporate partners.
• Commitment to diversity equity and inclusion.
• Willingness and ability to travel; evening and weekend work is required.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders including students alumni faculty staff and industry partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced academic degree.
• 10 years of progressive fundraising experience or comparable experience.
• Experience working in higher education or engineering-related fields.
• Experience designing and executing comprehensive or capital campaigns.
• Demonstrated success securing leadership or principal-level gifts including corporate partnerships

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. Names and contact information for three professional references to be provided at the beginning of your application in the candidate profile.
3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end 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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*updated 10/2025