Posting Details

Position Information

Posting Number


Job Title
Executive Director of Development

Pay Rate
$85,000-$90,000 Annually

Job Category
Staff

Department
DEVELOPMENT AND FOUNDATION

Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary

The Executive Director of Development is responsible for leading and executing the comprehensive fundraising strategy for Southwestern Michigan College and the SMC Foundation. This pivotal leadership role oversees all philanthropic revenue streams-including individual giving, major gifts, corporate and foundation grants, planned giving, annual campaigns, special events, and donor stewardship.

The Executive Director will lead the day-to-day operations of an evolving Development team, personally drive major and leadership-level solicitations, and foster a collaborative, productive work environment. The Executive Director contributes to organizational decision-making and ensures the alignment of fundraising, marketing, and institutional priorities.

This position has a duration of 24 months, ending 24 months effectively from the appointment date, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in one of the following: Business, Public Administration, Development, Marketing, Communications, Project Management, or related field.

• Ten (10) years of fundraising and development experience, with a successful proven track record of soliciting and closing major principal gifts.

• Five (5) years in a leadership role overseeing operational and performance outcomes, with a proven ability to manage cross-functional teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten (10) to twelve (12) years of executive-level development experience.

• Experience developing and managing budgets, utilizing electronic donor databases, and keeping pace with trends in prospect identification

Other Information

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and implement comprehensive development strategies, establishing annual and long-term revenue goals to diversify and increase funding from foundation, corporate, and individual sources.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure new major individual donors in partnership with the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• Plan and execute annual fund efforts, capital campaigns, restricted giving, special project initiatives, and planned/estate giving.
• Establish department-wide performance metrics, streamline operational processes, and cascade fundraising best practices.
• Partner closely with grant writers on proposal development, relationship management, and reporting.
• Manage, train, and inspire the development team, fostering a coaching mindset and a collaborative environment.
• Establish clearly defined expectations, systems, and performance measures to ensure staff accountability for excellence.
• Maintain strict adherence to ethical fundraising standards, donor confidentiality, and gift acceptance policies.
• Work alongside SMC Foundation board members to establish service expectations and cultivate new donor relationships.
• Chair quarterly SMC Foundation board meetings, develop agendas, and provide professional development/training for trustees.
• Collaborate closely with the SMC CFO on financial reporting, audits, endowments, and scholarship fund growth.

Immediate & Short-Term Deliverables (First 12 Months)

The incoming Executive Director will prioritize building out the infrastructure of the Development Office, with success and ROI assessed at the conclusion of the first year. Key deliverables include:

• Database Management: Create, populate, and weekly maintain an electronic donor database.
• Donor Communications: Propose and establish an annual communication strategy and systematic rhythm of solicitation (e.g., annual funds, year-end asks, give days).
• Campus Liaison: Establish a prioritized "wish list" of funding needs across campus departments to craft compelling fundraising stories.
• Alumni Relations: Establish an Alumni Association and launch targeted alumni cultivation efforts.
• Goal Setting: Set concrete fundraising targets, and manage a pipeline of high-need, non-operationally funded special projects.

• The duties listed in this job description are not all-inclusive, but a list of the major responsibilities. Additional duties not noted in the job description may be assigned by a supervisor.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Physical Requirements

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. The physical activity of this position.

A. Balancing. Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling and walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces.

B. Reaching. Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

C. Standing. Particularly for sustained periods of time.

D. Walking. Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

E. Pushing. Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.

F. Pulling. Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

G. Hand and Finger Coordination: Ability to perform tasks requiring coordinated
hand and finger movements, including typing, keyboarding, picking, pinching,
and handling small objects

H. Grasping. Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

I. Feeling. Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

J. Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.

K. Hearing. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.

L. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

2. The physical requirements of this position.

Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception, and field vision.

The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.

4. The conditions the employee will be subject to in this position.

None. The employee is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Close Date
06/21/2026

Quicklink
https://swmich.peopleadmin.com/postings/5336