Development Officer Senior - Institute for Land, Water and Air

Overview

The Sr. Director of Development for the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water & Air (“Institute”) provides overall guidance and management of the Institute's major gifts program, with an emphasis on corporate giving. The position is responsible for the Institute's overall acquisition of philanthropic gifts and coordination on behalf of the Institute across the Office of Advancement. Reporting to the Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement with dotted line accountability to the Institute’s executive staff, the Sr. Director of Development is the key Advancement liaison to the Institute. As a  development leader on the USU development team, the Sr. Director of Development is highly collaborative, committed to a culture of excellence, demonstrates advanced fundraising competencies and helps sustain USU’s fundraising success and growth through their leadership.

This position requires extensive public contact with high-level donors and partners and is based in Salt Lake City, UT. Travel and evening/weekend work are required.

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the day-to-day planning and oversight of the Institute development strategy and drive fundraising activity related to major gift proposals.
• Develop and implement both annual and long-range goals, objectives and strategies to maximize private support through various sources (with emphasis on creating and maintaining long-term corporate philanthropic relationships) for the Institute.
• Create and maintain specialized fundraising initiatives as deemed appropriate for the Institute.
• Collaborate with USU leaders and development peers to link donors’ passions with USU priorities and ensure a gratifying gift and/or engagement experience.  
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects for both the Institute and the university, emphasizing collaboration and high-level major gifts. Stewardship activities may comprise up to 15 percent of the role’s assignment.
• Create and maintain an effective rapport with the Institute’s Executive Director and other USU leaders. Coordinate with the Institute to guide strategic development activities and consult with stakeholders to ensure Institute goals are attained.
• Utilize the suite of advancement resources to provide regular progress reports on Institute fundraising performance.
• Partner closely with Advancement peers, prospect analytics and research, the principal gift workgroup and campaign operations to identify new donor opportunities, analyze performance, implement effective practices and coordinate donor/campaign engagement for Institute prospects.
• Travel to key markets and regions to submit proposals and steward donors.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Disclaimer This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the position.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining strategic corporate partnerships.
• Posses a track record of closing gifts or negotiating contracts and skilled at complex gift conversations
• Demonstrated experience building successful, productive and collaborative relationships with top university administrators, deans and board members or industry equivalents.
• Coaching experience of professional staff.
• Must be able to work a non-traditional schedule and travel, as evening and weekend work is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An advanced academic degree.
• Experience with capital campaigns.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, as well as analytical, research and management skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the use of information technology to support advancement programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills, particularly with donors, volunteers, and staff members from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to position the Institute Executive Staff to maximize their potential as fundraisers.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (students, alumni, faculty, staff) from diverse backgrounds. 

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

Cover Letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

Three (3) professional references to be typed at the beginning of the application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

College/Department Highlights

The Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, and Air was established in 2021 with endorsement by the Utah Legislature. Its mission is to guide Utah land, water, and air policy by connecting decision-makers with high-quality research. For more information about the institute and its initiatives, visit usu.edu/ilwa. The Division of Advancement is a welcoming office where inclusiveness and teamwork are highly valued. Advancement staff are engaged in the meaningful work of securing private financial resources to fuel Utah State University's mission by creating gratifying gift and engagement experiences for USU's generous and passionate alumni and friends. Comprising the division are the office of the Vice President, the USU Foundation & Board, Advancement Services, the Alumni Association (Alumni Engagement), Gift Planning, Corporation and Foundation Engagement, Strategic Communications, the Annual Fund and ACE (Alumni Center for Engagement). Furthermore, the division coordinates all fundraising efforts across campus, including colleges, various programs, extension campuses, and USU Athletics. Through the collaboration of these units, the Division of Advancement is able to achieve significant annual fundraising goals by inspiring stakeholders to invest their time and resources in Utah State University.

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 08/2026