Job Description

Title: Assistant Director for Development
Department: Vice President Student Affairs
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

We are seeking an Assistant Director of Development. This role is a front-line fundraising position, with primary responsibility for engaging donors and prospects through personal outreach, including face-to-face visits, key programs, events, and communications, with the goal of maximizing annual support and deepening institutional involvement. The Assistant Director will use phone, email, social media, visits, and events, as well as other creative tools for engagement and cultivation, and solicitation of annual and leadership level gifts. They will continue to grow and build the Student Affairs pipeline of major gift prospects. As a member of Student Affairs, the Assistant Director will be responsible for continuously learning about Illinois State University’s culture, programs, and evolving volunteer and fundraising opportunities. A donor-centric approach is used to inspire and qualify philanthropic interests in any area of Student Affairs, as well as Illinois State University, which is achieved through a strong partnership with the University Advancement team. The Assistant Director position will require occasional evening and weekend hours. Donor outreach will involve regional visits and events, with potential for occasional long-distance and overnight travel.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$60,000 - $65,000/year

University Benefit Highlights

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life 
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options 
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents 
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks 
- Paid benefit time 
 
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/ 

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree
2 . Demonstrated ability to cultivate and grow relationships with various constituents, including alumni, parents, students, donors, and corporations
3. At least 2 years of fundraising experience, donor engagement, or equivalent work experience that demonstrates the capacity for success in fundraising, especially in the cultivation and solicitation of gifts both virtually and in-person
4. A working knowledge of fundraising principles, donor engagement strategies, event planning and alumni engagement
5. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills and comfortable requesting visits/meetings with donors, alumni, and staff
6. Ability to work effectively with persons from diverse backgrounds while supporting a welcoming and inclusive environment
7. Self-motivation and results-driven, excellent time management and organizational skills, and efficiency in multitasking

Preferred Qualifications

1. Demonstrated experience in donor engagement and fundraising practices
2. Knowledge of student affairs, university fundraising, and Illinois State University

Work Hours

Core hours are Monday- Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. Evening and weekend work, including long-distance and overnight travel as needed.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

10/15/2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume/C.V.
Cover Letter
Reference List (specifically, the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of at least three professional references)

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Casey Vitalez
clvital@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

Sponsorship:  Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States.  Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.  Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit:  only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University. 

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.