Development Officer - College of Arts and Sciences

Overview The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Utah State University is a vibrant hub where students are inspired to explore, lead, and make an impact. Science, humanities, and the arts intersect to empower students with durable skills, hands-on experiences, and lifelong knowledge in over 180 different degrees from 13 dynamic departments and eight centers and institutes. This landscape offers an exciting, wide-ranging opportunity to work with alumni and donors in transformative philanthropy. The Development Officer will play a pivotal role in engaging donors and partners to advance these priorities. This position is responsible for the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects, linking donor passions with the college’s mission and emerging opportunities. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development for CAS, this role participates in strategy development for the college’s advancement team, manages a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, and serves as a visible ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. The successful candidate will build strong, collaborative relationships with the Dean, department heads, faculty, and university partners to secure significant private support for the college’s strategic priorities.  The position will be hired as either a Development Officer, Associate Director of Development, or a Director of Development based upon duties assigned and qualifications.  Please see Qualifications section.   Responsibilities Leadership & Strategic Planning Work with the Executive Director of Development for CAS and the CAS development team to set program goals aligned with the College as well as the university fundraising priorities. Qualify, cultivate, solicit, recognize, and steward donors with the capacity to give $50,000 or more. Develop and implement customized strategies for each donor/prospect, aligning philanthropic interests with college priorities. Engage corporate partners in supporting research, student opportunities, and innovation initiatives tied to the college’s expansion. Manage and optimize program resources, including budgets and timelines, to ensure efficient operations. Program Management & Execution Serve as an active partner to the Dean and other academic leaders, providing strategic guidance for development activities and engaging advisory councils or campaign committees as appropriate. Utilize advancement tools to track donor engagement, report progress, and manage donor pipelines. Build a comprehensive understanding of gift vehicles—including cash, securities, planned gifts, and real property—to develop tailored proposals. Data-Driven Strategy Work closely with Advancement Services data team to request and refine travel and prospect lists that align with campaign goals. Travel frequently to meet with donors, alumni, and corporate partners; evening and weekend work may be required. Stay informed on fundraising trends, technologies, and best practices to improve fundraising and college advancement effectiveness. Collaboration & Partnerships Work closely with Advancement Services to ensure accurate gift processing and donor acknowledgment. Collaborate with university advancement colleagues, faculty, and administrators to identify, engage, and solicit major gift prospects. Represent the College of Arts & Science at events, alumni gatherings, and other public functions to promote its mission and achievements. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: The position will be hired as either a Development Officer (Development Officer I), Associate Director of Development (Development Officer II), or a Director of Development (Development Officer III) based upon duties assigned and qualifications: Development Officer : Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Associate Director of Development : Bachelor’s degree plus two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Director of Development : Bachelor’s degree plus four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. For all levels: Proven ability to engage in complex gift conversations, with a record of closing significant gifts or contracts. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior administrators, faculty, and advisory boards. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Experience leading or mentoring staff and working collaboratively within a team. Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in donor engagement and workplace culture. Willingness and ability to travel extensively. Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree. Experience with capital campaigns. Required Documents Along with the online application, please attach:  Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”  Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application (iForm)  Contact information for Professional Reference to be typed at the beginning of your application **Document size may not exceed 10 MB.** Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits ADA Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. College/Department Highlights The Division of Advancement is a welcoming office where teamwork and inclusiveness are highly valued. Advancement staff are engaged in the meaningful work of securing private financial resources to fuel Utah State University's mission by creating gratifying gift and engagement experiences for USU's generous and passionate alumni and friends. Comprising the division are the office of the Vice President, the USU Foundation & Board, Advancement Servi