Senior Director of Development

Job Description

Nevada State University invites applications for the position of Senior Director of Development. The Senior Director of Development will provide leadership in the Development and Alumni Office through identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major and principle gift prospects for the Foundation.  In addition, the Senior Director will lead and manage the Alumni Coordinator position, as well as assist the Vice President of Advancement with all aspects of the department, including strategic planning, campaign preparation and the creation and execution of new ideas/events/programs to raise new funds for the University.

About the institution:

Nevada State University, a four-year Minority Serving public institution with a statewide mission, is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and largely underserved student population. Designated a Hispanic Serving (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI), Nevada State is a university where teaching and student support are valued above all else.

Nevada State University continues to grow as an institution of higher education. In Fall 2024, the enrollment surpassed 7,500, with 7,464 undergraduate students and 85 graduate students. A majority of our students are first generation, racial/ethnic minorities, parents, and/or returning students, of which 41% are Hispanic, 13% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 9% are Black/African American, 22% are White, and 6% are multiracial.

We celebrate the storied backgrounds of our campus community. We operate with a shared commitment to represent and serve the diverse population of Nevada and to encourage the exchange of ideas that respects and honors the lived experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. We foster a culture of inclusive excellence so our members can live authentically, fully engage, and flourish. In order to strengthen the university and progress its mission, the university dedicates itself to intentional and ongoing reflection to meeting the evolving needs of Nevada State University, the surrounding communities, and the State of Nevada.

We seek applicants who are passionate about working with this promising student population and collaborating with faculty and staff across departments to make a lasting impact in developing our institution and our community. 

We encourage you to highlight your background in fostering an inclusive campus culture and supporting the success of students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors, with an emphasis on gifts above $25,000.
• Work on building a donor pipeline through prospect identification activities, including participation at external events, utilize moves management strategy for donor progression and create creative stewardship methods.
• Lead and manage the Alumni Coordinator position, which oversees all alumni relations efforts.
• With the Vice President of Advancement, plan and execute annual and strategic plans for the division.
• Serve as the Advancement liaison to one of the three schools within Nevada State University.
• Attend internal and external events to represent the Division of Advancement and Nevada State University.
• Embrace a fast moving team environment and work with colleagues with a spirit of partnership, transparency and fiscal responsibility.
• Support the Vice President of Advancement and the other members of the division in furthering the mission of Nevada State University.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years experience in fundraising.
• Knowledge and experience in donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship or other equivalent/transferable knowledge.
• Documented results with soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Ability to work strategically and creatively with teams of faculty, staff and volunteers in raising major gifts.
• Knowledge of alumni relations strategies for success.
• Ability to work independently, in teams and with other divisions across campus.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor employment-related visas).

Please note: Applicants must meet the posted minimum qualifications at the time of application in order to be considered for the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Raiser’s Edge software.
• Management experience.

Salary & Benefits

Budgeted salary for this position is $86,445. Nevada State University offers excellent benefits, including 19.25% retirement match, 24 annual leave days, beginning balance of 30 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.

This Posting is Open Until Filled

The posting will remain open until filled, with the first review of applications to begin on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply by April 21 for full consideration.

Special Instructions for Internal NSHE Applicants

Nevada State University employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE, UNLV, UNR, NSU, CSN, TMCC, WNC, GBC, or DRI) MUST use the “Browse Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at Nevada State and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Browse Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

Exempt 

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment(s) viewable to you will be the attachment(s) to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment(s) to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment(s) will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at apply@nevadastate.edu.

Please upload the following documents:

• Detailed resume listing relevant qualifications and experience;
• Cover Letter indicating why you are a good fit for the position and Nevada State University;
• Names and contact information of three references (you will be notified before references are contacted).

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Candidates are encouraged to visit the Career Services Center website Nevadastate.edu/career to receive assistance with their resume, cover letter, and/or interview skills.