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Posting Detail Information

Working TitleAssistant Director of Development, College of Agricultural Sciences

Position LocationFort Collins, CO

Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work

Research Professional PositionNo

Posting Number202501038AP

Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional

Classification TitleProf/Indiv Contrib II

Number of Vacancies1

Work Hours/Week40

Proposed Annual Salary Range$60,000-$68,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .

+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !

Desired Start Date09/01/2025

Position End Date (if temporary)

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on08/17/2025

Description of Work Unit

Colorado State University

University Advancement

Assistant Director of Development

The College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University is seeking an Assistant Director of Development. The Office of Advancement in the College has a dual report to the Division of University Advancement.

Who We Are

Located in the beautiful town of Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU is a premier land-grant university with world-class programs in education, outreach, and research. CSU has a student body of over 34,000 students, 7,400 employees, 232,000 living alumni, and annual research expenditures exceeding $350 million. Guided by the five supporting Principles of Community: Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice, the University constantly pursues its mission and vision of access, research, teaching, service, and engagement.

Within CSU , the Division of University Advancement is integral to achieving and sustaining the University’s institutional excellence through fundraising and engagement efforts. Our purpose is to connect our alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to raise the financial support necessary to advance the University’s mission and vision. With one of the leading development teams in the country, the Division most recently reached its $1 billion fundraising campaign goal 19 months ahead of schedule.

Colorado State University is home to the College of Agricultural Sciences and Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station. The college has five academic departments – Agricultural Biology, Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics, Animal Sciences, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, and Soil and Crop Sciences. At 10 research centers in communities throughout the state of Colorado, AES investigates potential improvements to food production and agribusiness. In the context of a changing climate, CAS and AES meet global challenges in food safety, food security, wellness and economic prosperity through the sustainable use of natural resources. In alignment with the University’s foundational land-grant mission, CAS and AES excel by integrating intentional discovery, inclusive learning and collaborative engagement. Anyone is welcome to take a seat at the table to learn, grow, discover, and make a positive impact on the world together. Learn more atagsci.colostate.edu. (https://agsci.colostate.edu/%22%20/t%20%22\_blank)

The CAS Dean’s Office serves the college and AES through executive level leadership guided by a strategic plan and oversight of the college’s initiatives, including research, academic programs, student success and student recruitment. The CAS Dean’s Office provides central coordination of the college’s internal and external communication efforts, development and major gift cultivation, donor and alumni engagement, information technology and networking services. CAS is committed to providing students with high-quality undergraduate and graduate learning experiences in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

The CAS development team dual reports to the Division of University Advancement and the CAS Dean. The CAS development team raised nearly $120M during CSU’s recent State Your Purpose campaign. The team’s ongoing role is to coordinate efforts to raise funds for the College and support all departmental fundraising initiatives.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Development will work in a dynamic team environment with the CAS development team, Dean of the College, University Advancement partners, dean’s office staff and CAS academic units to cultivate new donor relationships, generate financial philanthropic support, and steward gifts to the College of Agricultural Sciences.

In collaboration with the MDoD, this position is responsible for creating and managing a strategy for continuous and meaningful donor outreach (cold calling), identifying appropriate engagement opportunities within all 5 academic units, and collaborating with CAS team to best engage donors and work them up the donor pyramid.

The ideal candidate for this position will be a consummate professional and will thrive in a fast-paced, metrics/results-driven fundraising environment. The candidate will have a demonstrated ability to maintain focus and employ adaptability while working collaboratively with donors, prospective donors, alumni, friends of the College, colleagues, faculty and staff and students. Eligible candidates will understand how they can make a difference in supporting the future direction of both CSU and CAS , while also meeting targeted timelines.

Required Job Qualifications

+ Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university by employment start date

+ Minimum of 2 years’ experience in fundraising, donor/alumni relations, or in Advancement/Development at an institution of higher education or non-profit OR equivalent relationship-building experience in a complex organization such as sales, banking, business development, client management, events, or marketing.

+ Ability to travel in and out of state and work non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends

+ Must have a valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain a driver’s license, or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date

Preferred Job Qualifications

+ Demonstrated success in face-to-face solicitation, cultivation, and closing multiple gifts at $25,000 or more OR demonstrated success in securing contracts and/or other complex transactions of this size

+ Proven ability to successfully identify and build relationships and connect donor/client interests with opportunities in a complex organization

+ Demonstrated knowledge of facets of fundraising, such as annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, planned giving, stewardship, major gift fundraising, etc.

+ Exceptional communication skills

+ Ability to problem solve and adapt to rapidly changing situations and successfully manage multiple complex projects from start to finish

+ Ability to work cross-functionally with academic and administrative leaders in a collaborative environment to conceive and implement innovative ideas

+ A demonstrated ability to engage and effectively communicate with diverse audiences

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience working in a CRM or other relational database such as Advance or Raiser’s Edge.

Essential Duties

Job Duty CategoryFrontline Fundraising

Duty/Responsibility

+ Responsible for managing a portfolio of approximately 75-100 donors and prospective donors, and creating successful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for them.

+ Execute 12-15 strategic interactions per month with prospective donors and determine if they have capacity and inclination to make a major gift of $25k+, and close $1 million annually.

+ Document all quality contacts and moves management strategies through the use of the prospect tracking system (Advance).

+ Present 2-3 major gift solicitations per month, after an initial period of building relationships with prospective donors.

+ Write, prepare, and present persuasive proposals that match the donor’s interests with the College’s fundraising priorities. Proposals should be comprehensive and include a major outright gift ($25,000+) and/or planned gift (bequest) solicitation.

+ Maintain a high degree of confidentiality and adhere to the policies and procedures for accepting, recording and acknowledging gifts.

+ Must be able to travel 25% of the time, including overnight and occasional weekends.

Percentage Of Time70

Job Duty CategoryRelationship Management

Duty/Responsibility

+ Increase the involvement of faculty (both current and retired) in the development process in order to expand the number of people making philanthropic efforts on CSU’s behalf.

+ Engage and steward current faculty and staff donors in their personal giving.

+ Work in partnership with CAS MDoD and other fundraisers, CAS leadership, faculty, and central UA development staff to ensure we maximize the philanthropic support of our donors, and work to build long-term pipeline of new major gift prospects.

+ Collaborate with central University Advancement teams (such as Alumni Relations, Prospect and Pipeline Development, Annual Giving, Donor Relations and Stewardship, Gift Planning, and other teams) to enhance awareness of College-level fundraising priorities and partner on initiatives.

Percentage Of Time20

Job Duty CategoryAdministration and Budget

Duty/Responsibility

+ In collaboration with CAS Development operations staff, prepare gift paperwork including fund agreements, naming documents, and pledge forms to document gifts.

+ Manage a travel budget of $5-10K in conjunction with the MDOD

+ Prepare annual fundraising goals in concert with the Managing Director of Development, and report progress towards the successful completion of these goals on a monthly basis.

+ Participate as a full member of the University Advancement division, attend development officer meetings, professional development activities, and other staff meetings as appropriate

Percentage Of Time10

Application Details

Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel

Search ContactRay Beresford, [email protected]

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, 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.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested

Minimum Requested3

Maximum Requested3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

+ * Will you have a bachelors degree from an accredited university by the hire date?

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Do you have a minimum of 2 years' experience in fundraising, donor/alumni relations, or in Advancement/Development at an institution of higher education or non-profit OR equivalent relationship-building experience in a complex organization such as sales, banking, business development, client management, events, or marketing?

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Ability to travel in and out of state and work non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Must have a valid driver's license, the ability to obtain a driver's license, or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date

+ Yes

+ No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Cover Letter

+ Resume

Optional Documents