Position Details
Title: Director of Development - Major Gifts - Main Campus
Type: Job
Class: Full-time
Date: 6/2/2025
Region: Northeast Wisconsin
City, State: Plymouth, WI
Summary:
Lakeland University (LU) invites applications for a full-time Director of Development. Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement & University Relations (VPAUR), the director will secure private support for operations and programs throughout the university. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and innovative team member who, through strategic work and relationship building, will help grow our donor pipelines and the philanthropic landscape generally.
The focus of this position is to actively manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors. Work will include pipeline growth, donor qualification, cultivation, and solicitation, and stewardship of existing donors.
Interested applicants should complete the online application and submit a resume and cover letter. Review of applications will begin immediately and preference will be given to applications received before June 20, 2025.
Responsibilities:
- Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors in support of LU's programs, with a focus on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and gift closure within assigned portfolio.
- Meet with donors and donor prospects 25-50% of the time via travel, on-campus visits, phone, and video conferencing, including some evenings and weekends.
- In partnership with the VPAUR, advancement colleagues, and assigned units, develop strategies to increase constituent pipelines.
- Develop and maintain close collaborative partnerships with campus colleagues to ensure a strong baseline knowledge of academic and administrative programs and priorities to devise and execute sound prospect strategies for philanthropic opportunities.
- Participate in advancement strategy meetings, assisting colleagues and providing support for all ongoing programs and operations as needed to help meet the fundraising goals.
- Document all activities, interactions, and other relevant data in the advancement database.
- Serve as the point of contact for assigned units for all fund administration and management questions.
Requirements:
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary institution.
- A minimum of three years of successful advancement experience or more than firve years of experience in a closely related field.
- Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Demonstrated ability to positively represent LU in visits with alumni, donors, and constituents.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Graduate degree
- Proven track record in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors.
- Documented fundraising success.
- Experience working in higher education or other complex organization.
Compensation & Benefits:
Commensurate with background and experience.
A competitive benefits package is offered.
