Assistant Director of Development

About the role

The Assistant Director of Development plays a critical role in LSU’s effort to grow its comprehensive gift pipeline by retaining and upgrading mid-level donors ($500–$24,999). This transformational role involves both traditional and non-traditional aspects of fundraising, serving as an innovative model for engaging mid-level donors while recognizing and maximizing their philanthropic potential. The position delivers a personal touch with every engagement, providing concierge service to donors and prospective donors to build stronger connections and pursue new major gifts for Louisiana State University.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 300–400 donors and prospects with expected annual giving capacity in the $500–$24,999 range.
• Execute thoughtful, personalized outreach via phone, mail, email, and visits when appropriate, focusing on building enduring relationships that deepen engagement and long-term philanthropic commitment.
• Develop, prioritize, and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that reflect a relationship-first approach.
• Move donors along the continuum in a way that honors their interests and motivations, while consistently and appropriately recording all donor contacts in LSU’s donor database.
• Interact and collaborate with colleagues and fellow team members on a regular basis.
• Attend team meetings, unit events, and programs to develop a deep knowledge of the units’ programs, people, and fundraising priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in an environment requiring strong phone skills (e.g., warm tone, good speaking cadence, clear and articulate speech).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or a philanthropic environment.
• In-depth knowledge of donor databases.
• Experience cultivating, soliciting, and/or stewarding donors.
• Excellent communication skills in-person, through written correspondence, and in presenting synthesized data.
• Demonstrated professionalism, perseverance, optimism, and a positive attitude when working with donors and colleagues.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility and agility with programmatic changes.

Desired Competencies

• Collaboration: Works collegially with others, cooperating in both interpersonal and team relationships; fosters enthusiasm and maintains mutual trust, candor, and respect.
• 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.
• Tenacity: Achieves a desired outcome in the face of setbacks, obstacles, or challenging circumstances.
• Professionalism: Thinks carefully about the likely effects on others of one’s words, actions, appearance, and mode of behavior.

Work Environment

May be required to work extended workdays, evenings, and weekends to meet deadlines.