As Development Program Manager, you'll spearhead fundraising initiatives that directly support the College of Arts and Sciences' mission and strategic vision. You'll cultivate meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and donors while managing comprehensive engagement strategies that strengthen our philanthropic foundation. From orchestrating donor stewardship programs to leading volunteer management initiatives, you'll play a pivotal role in advancing one of the nation's premier academic institutions.
Position Number: S80024
This position is a Grade: 9 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $55,200-$67,180 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.
Key Accountabilities:
• Lead and coordinate strategic fundraising and advancement initiatives by supporting personalized donor strategies, managing campaigns and solicitation efforts, and serving as the primary liaison between College leadership, faculty, advisory councils, and Advancement staff to ensure aligned communication and execution.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and stewardship of volunteer leaders.
• Pipeline Management - Support college portfolio and pipeline management for the College Advancement team and front-line gift officers, including periodic portfolio reviews, recording contacts, and reporting of pipeline activity.
• Visit scheduling and preparation - Assist the College Development team with scheduling prospect visits. Includes developing prospect lists using a variety of sources, including CRM, statistical analysis, AlumniFinder, LinkedIn, regional, and industry publications.
• Support the development and refinement of consistent stewardship policies and procedures, including tools and guidelines that ensure timely donor acknowledgment and meaningful engagement across the College.
• Coordinate the creation of customized stewardship reports, gift acknowledgment, and recognition opportunities for donors.
• Plan and execute donor recognition events, including donor receptions, VIP gatherings, salon events, and exclusive alumni activities.
• Work with the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) marketing and communications team and the College’s Marcom teams to develop materials (newsletters, impact reports, websites, etc.) that showcase college alumni, philanthropic opportunities, and impact.
• Organize and oversee development-related events for alumni, parents and friends of the College.
• Manage logistics, guest lists, and program content for development events, ensuring that each aligns with the college's and university’s overall development goals.
• Collaborate with other DAR teams (e.g., alumni relations, prospect research, marcom, information systems, events) to ensure seamless event execution and maximize donor engagement.
• Work closely with the advancement services team to track donor information, fundraising progress, and engagement metrics.
• Analyze donor trends and feedback to inform future fundraising strategies and identify areas for improvement.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree in Higher Education, Nonprofit Management, Business or a related field preferred
• A minimum of three to five years of experience in development, fundraising, or a related field, ideally within a Higher Education or Nonprofit setting
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, donor relations, and stewardship strategies
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messages and engage donors at all levels
• Event planning and project management experience, with a track record of successfully executing events
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners
• Proficiency with fundraising software (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge, or similar CRM tools) and MS Office Suite
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.
• 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.
