Director, Development

Posted on 4/10/2026 Accepting applications About this position

Title:

Director of Development Location:

Fayette, IA Required Documentation Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Submit your documents at the end of the application to be considered. If you need help, please reach out to employment@uiu.edu. Position Summary The Director of Development is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and planned gift prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or more in support of Upper Iowa University's strategic priorities. This individual will manage a portfolio of qualified donors and prospects, including alumni, parents, and friends of the university, many of whom may not have a prior history of deep engagement or campus visits, particularly due to online, center-based, self-paced, or military-affiliated backgrounds. Position Responsibilities Proactively make phone calls and send emails to schedule donor appointments, including outreach to both warm and cold leads Manage a robust portfolio of active major gift prospects through all phases of the donor cycle Conduct a minimum of 15 meetings per month Maintain regular contact with portfolio prospects and log all actions in Raiser's Edge NXT Meet or exceed annual performance goals for solicitations, dollars raised, and donor engagement Develop and implement personalized engagement and solicitation strategies tailored to each prospect Collaborate with Advancement and Alumni Engagement colleagues on strategic fundraising initiatives and integrated donor strategies Leverage alumni databases and prospect research tools to expand and diversify the major gift pipeline Travel extensively (up to 50%) to meet with prospects and donors across the Region and throughout United States Contribute to a team culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, learning, and high performance Build and sustain long-term relationships with donors through consistent stewardship and follow-up, ensuring they feel appreciated and informed of their impact Work closely with academic leaders, faculty, and program directors to understand university priorities and align donor interests accordingly Prepare briefing materials, written proposals, and gift agreements for donor meetings and solicitations Assist in the planning and execution of donor recognition and cultivation events, including regional alumni gatherings, on-campus visits, and virtual experiences Collaborate with the Office of Communications and Marketing to develop compelling donor outreach, updates, and impact reports Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality and professionalism when handling donor and prospect information Serve as a university ambassador at events, conferences, and other engagement opportunities, representing the mission and values of Upper Iowa University Analyze donor giving trends, interests, and behaviors to refine outreach strategies and ensure effective portfolio management Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through discovery conversations, referrals, and proactive outreach Demonstrate adaptability and persistence in outreach efforts, especially when navigating scheduling challenges, donor hesitations, or travel logistics Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree required While 2-5 years of prior experience in professional fundraising is preferred, candidates with backgrounds in nonprofit work, sales, donor relations, recruiting, or related fields are encouraged to apply Must have the ability to make major gift asks and secure commitments of $25,000 or more Ability to confidently discuss planned giving and multi-year pledges with prospective donors Strong ability to work independently, build authentic relationships, and close major gifts or partnerships Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills Self-starter with strong organizational and time management abilities Passion for and commitment to the mission and values of Upper Iowa University Familiarity with donor databases (such as Raiser's Edge NXT) or willingness to learn Demonstrated ability to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences Benefits Package Free & reduced UIU tuition packages for employees, dependents, and spouses, paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement, health, life, and other insurance are available. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. About us Upper Iowa University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Upper Iowa University's policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, furloughs, use of facilities, participation in activities, compensation, and training.