Development Officer/Associate Director of Development

Overview

The College of Engineering (CoE) at Utah State University is entering an exciting era of growth and innovation. With the recent inclusion of Computer Science and plans to establish new programs in Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and the School of Computing in the coming years, the college is expanding both its academic reach and its impact. Corporate partners and alumni are stepping forward to support these initiatives, creating new opportunities for transformative philanthropy.

The Development Officer / Associate Director of Development will play a pivotal role in engaging donors and partners to advance these priorities. This position is responsible for the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects, linking donor passions with the college’s mission and emerging opportunities. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development for CoE, this role participates in strategy development for the college’s advancement team, manages a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, and serves as a visible ambassador for the College of Engineering. The successful candidate will build strong, collaborative relationships with the Dean, department heads, faculty, and university partners to secure significant private support for the college’s strategic priorities.

This position will be hired at either a Development Officer or Associate Director of Development based upon duties assigned and qualifications of the candidate. (See Qualifications section.)

Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Work with the Sr. Director of Development for CoE to set program goals aligned with the College as well as the university fundraising priorities.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, recognize, and steward donors with the capacity to give $50,000 or more.
• Develop and implement customized strategies for each donor/prospect, aligning philanthropic interests with college priorities, including the growth of Computer Science, and the launch of Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and the School of Computing.
• Engage corporate partners in supporting research, student opportunities, and innovation initiatives tied to the college’s expansion.
• Manage and optimize program resources, including budgets and timelines, to ensure efficient operations.

Program Management & Execution

• Serve as an active partner to the Dean and other academic leaders, providing strategic guidance for development activities and engaging advisory councils or campaign committees as appropriate.
• Utilize advancement tools to track donor engagement, report progress, and manage donor pipelines.
• Build a comprehensive understanding of gift vehicles—including cash, securities, planned gifts, and real property—to develop tailored proposals.

Data-Driven Strategy

• Work closely with Advancement Services data team to request and refine travel and prospect lists that align with campaign goals.
• Travel frequently to meet with donors, alumni, and corporate partners; evening and weekend work may be required.
• Stay informed on fundraising trends, technologies, and best practices to improve fundraising and college advancement effectiveness.

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Work closely with Advancement Services to ensure accurate gift processing and donor acknowledgment.
• Collaborate with university advancement colleagues, faculty, and administrators to identify, engage, and solicit major gift prospects.
• Represent the College of Engineering at events, alumni gatherings, and other public functions to promote its mission and achievements.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

This position will be hired at one of two possible levels based upon duties assigned and qualifications:

• For Development Officer I:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For Associate Director of Development (Development Officer II):
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus two years of related experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• For both levels:
  • Proven ability to engage in complex gift conversations, with a record of closing significant gifts or contracts.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior administrators, faculty, and advisory boards.
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Experience leading or mentoring staff and working collaboratively within a team.
  • Commitment to inclusion and a respectful environment in donor engagement and workplace culture.
  • Willingness and ability to travel extensively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.
• Experience with capital campaigns.

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 uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”
• Contact information for Professional Refrences to be entered at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile

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

Advertised Salary

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.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

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, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

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 they 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. 

*updated 12/2025

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

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

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View phone number on click.appcast.io | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

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View phone number on click.appcast.io | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

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

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

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U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

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*updated 10/2025