Assistant Director of Development

Position Summary

This position will cultivate and solicit annual, major and planned gifts for the University and manage the annual giving programs as well as the USI Foundation’s communications.

Duties/Responsibilities 

Plan, coordinate, design, and implement annual giving campaigns. This includes conducting proactive print, digital and virtual appeals to alumni and friends.

Implement comprehensive annual giving efforts, which include personalized emails and calls and stewardship touchpoints to identify new donors and move current donors toward higher levels of giving.

Develop and execute targeted solicitations, focusing on specific donor audiences and fundraising objectives.

Cultivate and solicit gifts across all levels of the gift process – identification, research, approach, cultivation, solicitation, investment and stewardship. Minimum of 20 personal calls or donor interactions per month.

Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects. Majority of the time will be cultivating and soliciting donors through virtual and digital means such as phone, email, direct appeals, proposals, etc.

Oversee and serve as primary lead regarding digital and online fundraising, such as crowdfunding.

Draft and coordinate donor-facing content including impact stories, stewardship reports, and educational
giving materials.

Assist in managing the Development communications calendar across print, email, and social media. Collaborate with Alumni Engagement & Volunteer USI and other necessary departments in communication efforts to alumni.

Assist in developing compelling cases of support and ensure consistent messaging across donor segments.

Monitor campaign performance and create regular return on investment reports. Recommend strategies for improving fundraising performance such as open rates, engagement, and response.

Manage the USI Foundation website, with emphasis on creating an exceptional online giving experience. This includes regular updates to website content and online giving forms.

Manage the USI Foundation social media accounts and develop engaging content.

Create gift agreements and endowment agreements.

Provide assistance to committee chairpersons of the USI Foundation Board of Directors as needed.

Others duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Bachelor’s degree required. Two to four years of related work experience required.

Strong oral and written communication skills required.

Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills required.

Ability to work independently with high degree of initiative required.

Demonstrated ability to positively interact with diverse audiences.

Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Knowledge of computers, Microsoft software, and donor/prospect database required.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

Master’s degree, CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential or certification from The Fund Raising School preferred.

Familiarity with uses and functions of Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.

Functional Requirements

Remaining in a stationary position at a desk or work station for extended periods of time for the majority of assigned duties.

Occasional physical access to meetings, presentations and events that occur at on-campus sites such as classrooms and meeting rooms, and at various sites throughout the local and regional community.

Extensive physical activity with some events to oversee activities, to setup and make presentations, and to interact with attendees.

The use of computers and computer systems (hardware and software) to set up functions, to enter data, to retrieve and process information and to create documents.

Effective problem solving and the presentation of a professional demeanor while meeting deadlines and achieving critical outcomes, even under demanding conditions such as multiple priorities and short-notice deadlines.

Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills, along with interpersonal communication skills appropriate to cultivating productive relationships.

Regular Work Hours/Travel Requirements

About USI    

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for this position include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 11% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees, spouses, and dependent children.
• Vacation and sick time
• Holiday pay
• Free access to Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center.
• Access to on-campus University Health Center and Dental Hygiene Clinic.

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Search Committee Chair:

If you have questions about the open position, please contact Mr. Taylor Gogel, search committee chair, at

tjgogel@usi.edu

Best Consideration Date:

For best consideration, please submit materials by September 11, 2026.

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the Associate Director of Human Resources, Constance Hermann, at

cjhermann1@usi.edu

HumanRes@usi.edu

EEO Statement

USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities