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Director of Development for Strategic Priorities

Appalachian State University

United States, North Carolina, Boone

287 Rivers Street (Show on map)

Jul 16, 2026

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Position Title	Director of Development for Strategic Priorities
Location	Boone, NC
Faculty Rank
Provide Rank
Position Number	000981
Department	University Advancement-VC - 500000

Position Summary Information

Primary Purpose	The Director of Development for Strategic Priorities drives major gift success for Appalachian State by leading philanthropic strategy for the university's highestimpact initiatives. This role identifies, cultivates, and secures transformational investments that elevate App State's mission, fuel institutional priorities, and expand the university's reach and reputation.
Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution Three years of experience in fundraising, development, sales, or a closely related field Demonstrated ability to build and manage productive external relationships Willingness to travel frequently for donor engagement and university business Availability for evening work as required for events and donor meetings
License/Certification Required
Preferred Qualifications	Master's degree in a relevant field Experience with major and planned gifts in a college or university setting Demonstrated success in securing five, six, or sevenfigure philanthropic commitments Experience collaborating with academic leadership, faculty, and campus partners Knowledge of advancement best practices, donor engagement strategies, and campaign environments Ability to manage a dynamic portfolio and prioritize highimpact prospects Strong communication skills for donor meetings, proposals, and strategic presentations Experience working with volunteer leaders, advisory groups, or boards Familiarity with CRM systems and datainformed fundraising practices
Essential Duties and Responsibilities	Lead major gift strategy to advance highimpact university priorities Manage a focused portfolio of 60-80 major gift prospects with clear goals and movement Identify, cultivate, and solicit donors capable of making transformational philanthropic investments Develop compelling proposals and cases for support aligned with institutional needs Conduct strategic donor travel regionally and nationally to engage highcapacity prospects Partner with College Deans and academic leaders to surface funding opportunities and shape donor strategies Collaborate with Development colleagues to coordinate outreach, share insights, and support enterprisewide fundraising goals Engage campus units, including administrative areas and Athletics, to align philanthropic opportunities with donor interests Plan and execute solicitations for major gifts, including strategy, preparation, and followthrough Steward major donors with meaningful communication, impact reporting, and longterm engagement Use data and CRM tools to track activity, inform decisions, and evaluate progress toward goals Support campaign initiatives through coordinated strategy, prospect alignment, and donor engagement Represent App State at donor meetings, events, and university functions with professionalism and enthusiasm Maintain confidentiality and compliance with university, state, and industry standards
Type of Position	Full Time Position
Staff/Non-Faculty	Staff/Non-Faculty
VISA Sponsorship?	VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.
Appointment Type	1.0
Work Schedule/Hours	40
Number of Hours Per Week	12
Number of Months Per Year	12
Mandatory Staff	No
Suggested Salary Range	$88,000 - $125,000
Physical Demands of Position

Posting Details Information

Posting Date	07/16/2026
Closing Date	08/30/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Evaluation of Applications Begins	07/20/2026
Proposed Date of Hire
Special Instructions to Applicants	For consideration, please attach the following: Resume Cover Letter Include three (3) references with contact information in the body of the application.
Search Chair Name	Katie Pate
Search Chair Email	patek@appstate.edu
Quick Link	https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/55162
Posting Number	201501814P