Director of Development, College of Science

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Director of Development will secure private philanthropic support for the strategic priorities of the College of Science in collaboration with academic leadership and University Advancement. The role involves managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, leading cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship processes, and expanding the pipeline of prospective donors through new relationships. The Director will build strong, collaborative relationships among donors, alumni, friends, businesses, community partners, academic leadership, faculty, and staff.

The position is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising plan that advances the college's priorities, with a primary emphasis on securing major gifts of $25,000 and above. The Director will also mentor and serve as a resource to other development staff, sharing best practices and contributing to the growth of the University's development program.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward philanthropic support for the College of Science.
• Collaborate with college leadership and faculty to develop compelling fundraising priorities and proposals.
• Partner with Donor Relations and Alumni Engagement to strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, and friends of the College.
• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, leading the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan to advance the college's priorities, focusing on major gifts of $25,000 and above.
• Expand the pipeline of prospective donors through the development of new relationships.
• Design and implement multi-disciplinary fundraising strategies in partnership with academic leadership and University Advancement.
• Mentor and serve as a resource to other Directors of Development and Associate Directors of Development.

Requirements

• Compensation Grade C Level: Bachelor’s Degree and four (4) years of related professional work experience OR Master’s Degree and two (2) years of related professional work experience.
• Compensation Grade D Level: Bachelor’s Degree and six (6) years of related professional work experience OR Master’s Degree and four (4) years of related professional work experience.
• Substantial fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, non-profit, or a related field requiring strong relationship-building and outcome-driven components.
• Demonstrable experience with individuals in higher education fundraising, athletic development, sales, or similar roles involving prospect outreach, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Experience with fundraising databases, contact reports, and proposal preparation.
• Experience working in a metric-driven, results-oriented environment.
• Engagement with donors to solicit high-level gifts.

Schedule

• Frequent local travel.
• Variable work schedule to include nights and weekends.

Pay

Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience. To view the salary schedule for this position, visit Salary Schedules and select Administrative Faculty by Grade.

Benefits

• Retirement: 19.25% contribution matched by the University; 100% vested from day one.
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive options including dental and vision.
• Leave: Generous annual and sick leave, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Fitness: Access to the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center with annual or semester memberships, including spouse/domestic partner options.
• Local Discounts: Many local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues through Mountain EAP.
• No State Income Tax.
• Grants-in-Aid for Faculty Employees: Reduced-rate tuition benefit for faculty (up to six credits per semester) and qualified dependents (unlimited credits, with eligibility requirements).
• Dual Career Assistance Program: Resources and support for newly hired faculty spouses/partners to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada.

For more information, contact Karessa Skuse at kskuse@unr.edu.