Development Officer

The Development Officer serves as a key fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts in support of the Adams State University Foundation and Adams State University's strategic priorities. Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, this position plays a crucial role in the Foundation and University's overall fundraising efforts and works collaboratively with University leadership to advance philanthropic support for Adams State, and growth of the Foundation Endowment. The Development Officer will spend the majority of their time (not less than 80%) assisting the Foundation with fundraising resources in alignment with donor intent and University goals and priorities (endowment growth and program funding).

The Development Officer will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000+, developing meaningful relationships that connect donors' philanthropic interests with the University's greatest needs and priorities. This position will work in close partnership with the VP of Advancement on larger gift opportunities while independently managing a substantial portion of the major gifts program. This position must also regularly communicate with the Foundation Board of Directors and report activities at each Board meeting.

This position is located in Alamosa, Colorado with extensive travel required within the state and occasional national travel. Evening and weekend work is necessary to meet with donors and attend University events. The ability to work independently while maintaining strong communication with the advancement team is essential. Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Major Gift Strategy and Portfolio Management

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 80-120 major gift prospects and donors, implementing strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans to benefit the Adams State Foundation Endowment and Adams State University
• Conduct 120-150 face-to-face visits annually with prospects to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward them through the giving cycle
• Present comprehensive proposals that align with the Adams State Foundation’s and  Adams State University's fundraising priorities, including endowed scholarships, program support, and capital support

 

Collaboration & Institutional Engagement

• Collaborate with the VP of Advancement on solicitations for gifts of significant magnitude
• Advise the VP of Advancement and the Foundation Board on strategies for donor engagement with the University President
• Collaborate with the Alumni Relations Office on events to engage potential prospects
• Collaborate with the Marketing & Public Relations Office on donor recognition/impact stories and other projects
• Support campaign efforts and serve on campaign committees as needed

 

Donor Stewardship & Community Relations

• Provide exemplary stewardship to current major donors, ensuring continued engagement and support of the University and Foundation
• Serve as a University ambassador, developing relationships with constituents throughout the region and beyond

 

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of donor interactions in the Foundation’s database system - Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge - and utilize the database to properly track donor outreach
• Prepare regular reports on fundraising activities, pipeline development, and progress toward goals aligned with the University and Foundation
• Other duties as assigned by the VP of Advancement to ensure the success of the department.

 

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in development, with demonstrated success in securing major gifts, or directly relevant experience
• Strong understanding of gift fundraising principles, practices, and techniques
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to articulate the mission and vision of Adams State University to diverse constituencies
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, with tact and discretion, with a wide-range of constituencies including: colleagues, university leadership, volunteers, alumni, donors, and community partners
• Understanding of financial planning and tax implications for philanthropic activity
• Commitment to fostering inclusive practices in all aspects of work

 

Preferred:

• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $10,000+
• Familiarity with the San Luis Valley and/or rural communities
• Experience with fundraising database systems - Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge
• Master's degree in a relevant field
• Experience in higher education fundraising
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles and strategies

 

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $74,856-85,152.  In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit our Human Resources Benefits Page. 

 

How to Apply: 

All interested candidates must submit application materials electronically through Adams State University’s Workday application portal.

No other format of application material will be accepted.

Completed applications include the following:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts will be necessary at the time of appointment)

• Three professional references, including phone number and email for each

 

For full consideration, applications should be received by 12/12/2025. Review of completed applications will begin immediately after this date and the position will remain open until filled. Applications received after the priority deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

Questions about the position may be directed to Jake Rissler at jrissler@adams.edu

Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.

We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.

We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.

The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.

Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at www.adams.edu/academics /
 

Disclosures:

In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.

Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.

 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, Director Ana Guevara, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's  sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed  procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at  https://www.adams.edu/administration/oeo/reporting-sexual-harassment/ .  These  procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.  

 

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.