Posting Details

Posting Summary

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Posting Number
STA00256PO26

Job Family
Alumni Relations and Development

Job Function
Development

USC Market Title
Senior Director of Development

Link to USC Market Title
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/194041

Job Level
M2 - Managerial

Business Title (Internal Title)
Senior Director of Development, Corporate Relations

Campus
Columbia

Work County
Richland

College/Division
Division of Development

Department
DEV Corporate & Fnd Relations

State Pay Range
G13

USC Market Range
MRL - $95,423 $121,664 $147,906

Anticipated Hiring Range
$95,423 - commensurate with qualifications

Location of Vacancy
Columbia, SC **On-site**

Part/Full Time
Full Time

Hours per Week
37.5

Work Schedule

• Standard working schedule: 8:30am - 5:00pm
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis
12 months

Job Search Category
Alumni Development

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

Under limited supervision, reporting to the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Corporate and Foundation Relations, the Senior Director of Development (Senior Director) for Corporate Relations (CFR) will be responsible for the planning, coordination, and management of a comprehensive and ongoing development program for the University of South Carolina with emphasis on corporate gifts of $100K and above, as well as overseeing CFR's coordination with college/unit colleagues regarding corporate gifts, grants, sponsorships, and strategic partnership activities. Responsibilities include managing directors of development and actively engaging externally through creative discovery and outreach efforts for corporate and foundation gifts, as required. This includes responsibilities to support corporate and foundation strategies for the CFR team's collaboration with colleges and units. Other responsibilities include active engagement internally by working with colleges and units in executing a successful CFR program, and in cultivating corporate and foundation prospective donors. Partners with colleagues to identify, cultivate and complete proposals and solicitations from companies and foundations. Proactively provides follow-up and stewardship on completed gifts. This position will be part of the University Development team and operate within the system and procedures of USC Development to ensure consistent and well-coordinated activities.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of certification, training, education and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years proven experience in major gift/development in higher education and/or hybrid development model.
• Previous campaign experience.
• Corporate and foundations/major gifts solicitation experience and graduate degree are preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and methodologies involved in planning, implementing, and managing a robust corporate and foundation relations (CFR) program.
• Strong understanding of fundraising strategies, donor engagement cycles, gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, particularly within higher education.
• Familiarity with development operations, including prospect research, pipeline management, and performance metrics.
• Thorough knowledge of database systems used in advancement operations, including CRM platforms such as Blackbaud CRM.
• Knowledge of organizational management and staff development principles, including training, mentorship, and performance evaluation.

Skills

• Demonstrated skill in identifying, visiting, qualifying, and cultivating corporate and foundation prospects with a consistent record of securing philanthropic support.
• Advanced writing and communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals, reports, and donor correspondence.
• Strong oral and interpersonal communication skills for engaging effectively with faculty, academic leadership, donors, volunteers, and external partners.
• Skilled in managing, developing, and motivating staff, particularly Directors of Development and administrative support personnel, to achieve strategic fundraising goals.
• Proficient in the use of computer systems and software applications relevant to fundraising operations, including CRM databases, word processing, and analytics tools.

Abilities

• Ability to build, maintain, and strengthen productive working relationships with internal and external constituents, including faculty, administrators, alumni, companies, and foundations.
• Ability to cultivate and steward philanthropic relationships at all levels, demonstrating professionalism, discretion, and strategic judgment.
• Ability to develop effective fundraising strategies, assess program performance, and implement process improvements.
• Ability to work collaboratively across diverse academic units and administrative teams to support university-wide development goals.
• Ability to represent the institution with credibility and build relationships with leaders from a wide range of industries and professions.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and maintain high-quality documentation and reporting.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Leadership & Operational Management:

• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of CFR's corporate relations work across colleges and units.
• Partner with academic and unit teams to develop and deliver CFR training for administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Create and maintain prospecting tools, resources, and guidance to support faculty and staff in engaging with companies that provide philanthropic gifts, grants, and sponsorships.
• Manage, coach and support Directors of Development, ensuring alignment with CFR goals and institutional priorities.
• Evaluate staff performance, operational processes, and resource allocation to ensure effectiveness and continuous improvement.
• Communicate clear expectations, accountability standards, and strategic direction to staff.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
25%

Job Duty

Portfolio & Relationship Management:

• Manage a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects to advance high-priority institutional programs and initiatives.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects to secure philanthropic support.
• Document all relationship activity, assignments, cultivation steps, and solicitation details in Blackbaud CRM.
• Maintain accurate and timely updates related to prospect movement and funding opportunities.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
20%

Job Duty

Donor Solicitation & Pipeline Development:

• Solicit companies and foundations in collaboration with campus partners, deans, faculty, staff, as well as director of development in assigned colleges/schools.
• Meet established solicitation targets set by the AVP in consultation with the Senior Director.
• Create and maintain comprehensive Plans and Opportunities in Blackbaud CRM for all solicitations.
• Build a robust donor pipeline by entering and updating all opportunities in accordance with Prospect Development policies and procedures.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
20%

Job Duty

Performance Management & Fundraising Metrics:

• Achieve annual performance goals-including meaningful contacts, qualification visits, and solicitation targets-set by the AVP with input from the Senior Director.
• Advance progress on Top 10 gift priorities identified at the start of the fiscal year.
• Ensure proactive and timely documentation in Blackbaud CRM to track activity via the Fundraiser Dashboard.
• Conduct stewardship visits to strengthen donor engagement and retention.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
20%

Job Duty

Collaboration & Institutional Engagement:

• Contribute as an active member of the USC development team by collaborating on donor strategies and cross-functional projects.
• File timely and accurate contact reports and maintain complete donor records in electronic databases.
• Participate in committees, departmental meetings, and development activities as assigned.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
5%

Job Duty

Annual Planning, Reporting & Strategy Development:

• Collaborate with CFR team members to develop an annual work plan that includes fundraising priorities, stewardship strategies, and prospect research initiatives.
• Prepare reports, strategic updates, and other documents as requested by AVP.
• Actively contribute to the ongoing refinement of CFR program strategies and institutional fundraising efforts.

Essential Function
Yes

Percentage of Time
5%

Job Duty

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Carry out additional responsibilities, special projects, and assignments as directed by the AVP or organizational leadership.

Essential Function
No

Percentage of Time
5%

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive
No

Hazardous weather category
Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies
1

Desired Start Date
06/16/2026

Job Open Date
04/16/2026

Job Close Date
07/31/2026

Open Until Filled
No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by July 31, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition
• Dependent Scholarships
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

This posting is a re-advertisement. Applications previously submitted are all being considered. Previous applicants do not need to reapply.

Quicklink for Posting
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/204847