Careers at Lehigh

As our primary Development Officer, you'll craft and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies that directly support the College's ambitious goals. Working alongside our Dean, you'll energize donor engagement, particularly focusing on major and principal gift cultivation. Your creative leadership will expand our donor base while strengthening relationships with existing supporters who believe in educational excellence.

Position Number: S99630

This position is a Grade: 12 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $103,300-$125,660 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Kay Responsibilities:

• Qualify alumni and friends of the University who have the capacity to provide major gift
philanthropic support of $50,000 or more for the College of Education
• Develop and execute strategies to cultivate and solicit these prospects
• Maintain an active schedule of face-to-face and virtual meetings with current and potential
major donors, averaging 5-7 meetings per month
• Prepare briefing materials, proposal documents and other documents to engage, solicit and
steward donors
• Negotiate, close and facilitate the proper documentation for all gift commitments
• Actively manage a portfolio of assigned prospects, ensuring that activity is tracked in the
database of record and that pipeline entries are current and updated completely
• Develop and document an annual fundraising plan for the College which includes strategies and next steps to meet short-term fundraising goals
• Manage a budget for the College’s fundraising efforts
• Meet regularly with the Dean and other leadership of the College to update on progress
• Partner with Development and Alumni Relations colleagues to develop case for support documents and stewardship materials
• Work closely with the Dean to identify appropriate volunteer roles
• Write, edit and proofread proposals to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Assist the Dean in College Advisory Council Meetings
• Assist colleagues in cultivation and solicitation efforts
• Maintain regular contact with Gift Officers to build a consistent pipeline of prospects
• Meet regularly with the Development Associate and Coordinator
• Communicate job accountabilities and discuss training needs
• Train, mentor and motivate colleagues
• Document activity with prospect and donor relationships
• Utilize system reports and communicate progress toward goals
• Prepare and submit travel and other expenses in a timely manner

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree
• Five to eight years of related work experience
• Over seven years related work experience in a development position in which external relationships have been strongly established
• Valid Driver's License
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with ability to craft compelling donor proposals and deliver persuasive presentations
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively across departments and build consensus among various university constituencies
• Skill in prospect research, gift pipeline management, and data-driven decision making

Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university’s mission. Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.
• This position is responsible for driving University-owned vehicles as a routine function, therefore a valid Driver’s License and a good driving record is required.
• The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety.  Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.