• Development Advancement Specialist

    Arkansas State University (Jonesboro, AR)


    Job Details

    Please note: all position postings close at 12:00 A.M. CST on the position closing date

     

    Development Advancement Specialist

     

    Working Title Assistant Director of Development

     

    Position # A00431

     

    Department Director of University Development

    Employment Status:

    Full time (29-40 Hrs)

    Type of Employment:

    Staff

    # of openings:

    1

    Location:

    ASU-Jonesboro

    Proposed Salary Range:

    Commensurate with Experience

    Closing:

    10/21/25

     

    Please note: All postings close at 12 A.M. CST on the closing date. A-State participates in E-Verify.

    Position Summary:

    The Assistant Director of Development responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more to support the mission and strategic priorities of the institution. This role plays a critical part in advancing long-term donor relationships and securing philanthropic support for academic programs, scholarships, athletics, facilities, and endowments.

    Duties & Responsibilities:

    Portfolio Management

    + Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 qualified major gift prospects.

    + Develop and implement individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect.

    + Maintain regular contact with assigned donors through face-to-face visits, phone calls, written communication, and personalized stewardship plans.

    Fundraising & Solicitation

    + Solicit major gifts of $25,000 or more in alignment with institutional priorities.

    + Prepare written proposals, briefing documents, donor correspondence, and stewardship materials.

    + Collaborate with development leadership, deans, coaches, faculty, or university leadership on donor visits and proposal development.

    Prospect Identification & Qualification

    + Identify new prospects through database research, referrals, alumni engagement events, and other methods.

    + Qualify new prospects through discovery visits and initial conversations to assess interest and giving capacity.

    Strategic Engagement

    + Work with the Advancement Services and Prospect Research teams to develop and refine prospect strategies.

    + Participate in strategic planning sessions to align fundraising efforts with campaign or departmental goals.

    + Help execute donor events, recognition programs, and engagement initiatives targeted to major donors.

    Collaboration

    + Coordinate with colleagues across Alumni Relations, Annual Giving, Development, Marketing and Communications and Advancement Services to ensure a holistic and seamless donor experience.

    + Serve as a strategic partner for unit-based development officers (e.g., academic colleges, athletics, or program-specific fundraisers).

    Reporting & Metrics

    + Track activity, proposals, and donor interactions using the institution’s CRM/database (e.g., Raiser's Edge/NXT).

    + Meet or exceed annual performance metrics for visits, solicitations, dollars raised, and donor retention.

    + Provide regular updates and reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor or other advancement leadership.

    Stewardship

    + Ensure timely and meaningful stewardship of major donors, including thank-you calls, impact reports, and engagement opportunities.

    + Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to personalize stewardship and recognition efforts.

    Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

    • Knowledge of development/fundraising techniques and moves management

    • Knowledge of gift planning and procedures

    • Knowledge of higher education programs, goals and objectives

    • Ability to relate to fundraising programs to university goals and objectives

    • Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with donors, volunteers, athletics and advancement staff

    • Ability to adapt and respond to various situations

    • Ability to manage multiple projects at one time

    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills required, as are excellent interpersonal skills

    • Possess a thorough understanding of all programs within the University

    • Willingness and ability to travel and work a flexible schedule

    • Willingness to ask donors/alumni for financial support

    • Disciplined self-starter who regularly achieves work goals

    • Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA and conference guidelines, policies, rules and regulations with the ability to interpret, apply, enforce and explain such policies and rules

    General Days/Hours:

    HYBRID POSITION – 3 DAYS IN OFFICE; 2 DAYS REMOTE

    Monday - Friday

    8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    Other:

    Please note: all position postings close at 12:00 A.M. CST on the position closing date

    Minimum Qualifications:

    An earned Bachelor's degree is required for this position.

    E-Verify Participation Notice:

    https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/EVerifyParticipationPoster.pdf

    E-Verify Right to Work:

    https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER\_RightToWorkPoster%20Eng\_Es.pdf