Baton Rouge, LA

Senior Director of Development, LSU Foundation

The Organization

The LSU Foundation is the primary fundraising entity for academics at LSU. The LSU Foundation’s sole purpose to provide philanthropic support to LSU, which we accomplish through the work of a campus-wide team of frontline development officers and a support team of advancement services, communications and marketing, donor relations, financial and talent management personnel.

The LSU Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that encourages and receives restricted and unrestricted gifts. We also manage most of the investments and serve as trustee for most of the endowed funds and other private assets contributed for the benefit of LSU.

Position Overview

The Senior Director of Development will build and manage a dynamic team of development professionals and cultivate and solicit prospective donors with the potential to contribute principal and major gifts aimed at meeting the strategic goals of the college, university, and Foundation. The Senior Director of Development plays a critical role in catalyzing these transformational efforts and leading by example in productivity.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Manages the overall strategic vision of the development office; Manages and supervises the development team
  • Maintains a portfolio of major gift prospects and ensures the dean is engaged with high-level donors, prospective donors, and volunteers; Spearheads the strategy for engagement of the Dean’s Advisory Council; Oversees the management of the college’s fundraising effort, including campaign planning and financial reporting; Advise, guide, prepare, and debrief academic and volunteer leaders in carrying out their development responsibilities
  • Coordinates development activities and strategies with prospect management, research, communications, and donor relations
  • Assists in the communication and coordination of activities with fundraising agencies, including the LSU Foundation, LSU Alumni Association, Tiger Athletic Foundation offices, and outside parties; Works collaboratively with colleagues across campus
  • Complete other duties as assigned

Non-essential/marginal position responsibilities 

  • Service on intra-campus committees
  • Mentorship of nascent professionals to fundraising

Required level/type of experience 

  • Experience in major gift work, economic development, or nonprofit fundraising
  • A proven track record of securing major gifts and meeting fundraising goals
  • Exemplary interpersonal skills with a sensitivity to high-net worth audiences
  • An appreciation for and understanding of diverse audiences and communities

Preferred abilities

  • Impeccable writing, presentation skills, and use of communications and data technologies
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills
  • The ability to self-motivate and work independently
  • Attentiveness to detail
  • Sensitivity to the needs of diverse constituencies
  • A team player with a goal-oriented approach to work
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • The ability to represent the organization in a professional, positive manner
  • The ability to develop creative solutions

Required education

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Desired Competencies 

  • Critical Thinking: Practices objective rather than subjective modes of reasoning and action. Maintains perspective when assessing qualitative and quantitative information. Appropriately challenges and questions common beliefs.
  • Timely Decision Making/Judgment:  Demonstrates the ability to make judicious and effective decisions.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Identifies and manages the emotions of self and the emotions of others.
  • Professionalism: Thinks carefully about the likely effects on others of one’s words, actions, appearance, and mode of behavior.

Work Environment Requirements

  • May be required to work extended workdays, evenings, and weekends to meet deadlines
  • May be required to travel 35% of the time

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities  

  • This position has supervisory responsibilities and is responsible for staff performance management.

How To Apply

Please submit your application via this link: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/465642

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