Salary: $117,778.00 Annually
Location : 1600 S 25th E, Idaho Falls, ID
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Foundation Support
Opening Date: 10/12/2026
Closing Date: 11/1/2026 11:00 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt
Job Summary
The Executive Director of Development and CEI Foundation serves in a dual leadership role, leading College-wide fundraising and advancement efforts while also serving as the executive director of the CEI Foundation.
As CEI's executive director development, the position is responsible for developing and implementing fundraising strategies that advance the College's strategic priorities, build philanthropic support, strengthen community relationships, and secure private investment in student success, workforce development, academic programs, scholarships, facilities, and innovation. As Executive Director of the Foundation, the position provides leadership for Foundation operations, governance support, financial stewardship, donor relations, and Board engagement. Working closely with the College President, Foundation Board, College leadership, donors, alumni, employers, and community partners, the Executive Director of Development and CEI Foundation advances CEI's mission through effective fundraising, responsible stewardship, and strong community partnerships.
The successful candidate will be a highly relational, externally focused leader with demonstrated fundraising success, strong communication skills, sound judgment, and a commitment to ethical stewardship and mission-driven results.
Typical Job Functions
College Development and Advancement (Primary Responsibility - Approximately 51%) Fundraising Strategy and Leadership
• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and advancement strategy aligned with CEI's mission, strategic plan, and institutional priorities.
• Establish measurable fundraising goals and performance metrics and regularly report progress to College and Foundation leadership.
• Serve as CEI's fundraising executive director and provide leadership for philanthropic initiatives supporting students, academic programs, workforce development, facilities, equipment, and strategic initiatives.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of individual, corporate, foundation, and community donors.
Major Gifts and Donor Engagement
• Personally manage a portfolio of major donors and prospective donors through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Partner with the College President, trustees, Foundation Board members, faculty, and staff to advance fundraising priorities and donor engagement.
• Lead efforts related to annual giving, major gifts, planned giving, corporate partnerships, foundation partnerships, endowment growth, and campaign development.
• Develop meaningful donor recognition and stewardship programs that demonstrate impact and encourage long-term philanthropic investment.
Community and External Relations
• Serve as a visible ambassador for CEI throughout eastern Idaho and beyond.
• Build relationships with employers, industry leaders, alumni, public officials, foundations, and community organizations that strengthen support for the College.
• Collaborate with College Marketing and Communications to develop advancement communications, campaign materials, donor reports, and cases for support.
• Identify private, corporate, and philanthropic funding opportunities that support CEI priorities.
Foundation Leadership and Administration (Approximately 49%) Board and Governance Support
• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the CEI Foundation Board of Directors.
• Support the Board Chair in planning meetings, establishing priorities, and advancing strategic initiatives.
• Prepare Board and committee agendas, reports, and supporting materials. • Implement Board-approved policies and support compliance with Foundation bylaws, governing documents, and applicable regulations.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing development of Foundation Board members.
Financial Stewardship and Compliance
• Support responsible stewardship of Foundation assets, endowments, scholarships, and restricted funds in accordance with donor intent.
• Prepare and administer the Foundation operating budget for Board review and approval.
• Coordinate financial reporting, audits, tax filings, and compliance activities with appropriate advisors and service providers.
• Ensure proper administration of donor agreements, scholarship funds, endowments, and other charitable assets.
• Protect confidential donor and Foundation information and ensure appropriate recordkeeping practices.
Foundation Operations
• Provide leadership and supervision for Foundation staff and daily operations.
• Ensure timely and accurate gift processing, donor acknowledgment, record maintenance, and reporting.
• Oversee Foundation-sponsored fundraising and stewardship events.
• Maintain effective fundraising systems, donor management practices, and operational procedures.
• Support alumni engagement and volunteer involvement that advance both Foundation and College priorities.
• Perform other duties consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the position.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, higher education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing fundraising strategies and securing philanthropic support.
• Experience cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors, community leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Experience supervising staff, managing projects, and achieving measurable organizational outcomes.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of fundraising ethics, donor stewardship, and nonprofit governance principles.
• Ability to work effectively with boards, executives, donors, and community partners.
• Ability and willingness to participate in evening, weekend, and travel commitments.
• Must reside in Idaho (Currently CEI doesn't sponsor Visas).
Additional Desired Qualifications
• Master's degree in a relevant field and/or Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.
• Experience in community college, higher education, healthcare, or nonprofit advancement.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and leading fundraising campaigns.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards and charitable foundations.
• Experience managing endowments, scholarships, donor agreements, and restricted funds.
• Experience using donor relationship management (CRM) systems and fundraising analytics.
• Knowledge of eastern Idaho's business, philanthropic, and community landscape.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish. Leadership Characteristics
• Relationship Builder: Develops authentic relationships that inspire investment in CEI's mission and future.
• Strategic Fundraiser: Identifies opportunities, mobilizes support, and delivers measurable results.
• Collaborative Leader: Works effectively across the Foundation, College, Board, and community.
• Accountable: Sets clear goals, measures outcomes, and follows through on commitments.
• Trusted Steward: Demonstrates integrity, transparency, sound judgment, and respect for donor intent.
• Mission Focused: Understands and advances CEI's role as a catalyst for student success, workforce development, and regional prosperity.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Sitting, standing, walking, keyboarding, reaching overhead, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, gross manipulations (involves hands), climbing, crawling, squatting, driving, stooping, crouching, climbing ramps, stairs, ladders, and standing or sitting (combination). Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.
On-site work is essential and regular predictable attendance is required. Employees may be required to work at occasional events and handle tasks outside of regular working hours.
Traveling will be required.
Background Investigations:
Employment at College of Eastern Idaho will be contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation and may require a credit and/or motor vehicle background investigation depending on the position. Please refer to Policy 225: Background Checks
Link to Annual Security Report for CEI:?https://www.cei.edu/students-right-know
College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) offers full-time employees a generous benefit package. For information about our medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance benefits please visit thePositions classified as exempt are offered retirement benefits administered through Fidelity. Information may be found at
Additional benefits include vacation, sick, and holiday leave; tuition benefits; and a selection of voluntary benefits.
