If you have a passion for giving back, creating, nurturing, and sustaining donor relationships, you could have the opportunity to be a member of the Polk State College team. The College is seeking to expand its team of professionals to engage in one-on-one friend-raising, affinity building, and donor cultivation for the purpose of enhancing critical resources for students and the institution.

Polk State College seeks a Development Director to coordinate and organize various complex activities supporting the College and the Foundation's philanthropic efforts. As part of the team responsible for expanding resources for students and the College, this role resides in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, reporting directly to the Vice President of Resource Development/Executive Director of the Polk State College Foundation.

The Development Director is responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising plan that includes entry- and mid-level gifts, employee annual giving campaigns, alumni giving, and special events. The role includes identifying and cultivating gift prospects and corporate and foundation donors, stewardship of donors, and programmatic support for fundraising efforts.

In addition, the Development Director is responsible for monitoring and analyzing fundraising data to evaluate performance and adjust strategies as needed. This includes gift recognition and donor acknowledgment programs, which involve tracking donor engagement and retention rates, analyzing revenue streams, and making data-driven decisions that help the organization achieve its fundraising goals.

The Director will work closely with the College President, the Vice President, of Resource Development / Executive Director of Polk State College Foundation, and the Foundation Board of Directors in all development and fundraising endeavors. As needed, the Director will also support the Foundation Board of Directors in committee meetings, such as the Development Committee and others. Also required is representing the College in community events and speaking to selected organizations or groups regarding the vision and mission of the College and the Foundation.

The Director must possess exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills and demonstrate a passion for student success, precisely as detailed in Polk State College's mission.

• Serve as the frontline fundraiser: identify new donors and stakeholders, cultivate those relationships, solicit, maintain relationships with existing donors, and oversee recognition activities.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive fundraising program that aligns with Polk State College's philanthropic aims.
• Identify and maintain an active pool of prospects. Meet performance objectives by maintaining a high level of development activity, which results in finding and identifying "new" prospects.
• Research, identify, and update biographic, demographic, and preference data for donors and prospects in the CRM donor database, ensuring all contacts are entered.
• Enter strategies, contact reports, and other pertinent donor outreach information promptly.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and laws, maintain accountability standards to donors, and comply with the principles of the Association of Fundraising Professionals ethical standards.
• In conjunction with the Vice President, Resource Development / Executive Director of Polk State College Foundation, develop and assist with successful strategies for capital campaigns, annual giving, alumni outreach, major gift solicitations, and planned giving.
• Communicate regularly with the President and Vice President, Resource Development / Executive Director of Polk State College Foundation, regarding the progress of fund development activities.
• Prepare materials for routine prospect review sessions and Foundation board meetings.
• Assist in producing materials, including annual reports, donor letters, newsletters, invitations, brochures, etc.
• Prepare and deliver speeches and presentations to community organizations, campus groups, business groups, and boards to develop institutional support, raise the College's profile, and cultivate new relationships.
• Support the President and the Vice President, Resource Development / Executive Director of Polk State College Foundation, in strengthening the College's major gift pipeline.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate, and manage relationships with donors/clients.
• Proven success in development areas such as capital campaigns, annual giving, alumni outreach, gift solicitations, and planned giving (sales acceptable).
• Excellent people skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with board members, donors, constituents, partners, alumni, students, faculty, and staff.
• Maintains a professional demeanor, a cheerful outlook.
• Computer literacy (such as Windows, Excel, Word Office 360), experience with fundraising databases (Raiser's Edge NXT preferred), and the ability to mine and track digital data.
• Excellent organizational skills, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Polk State College to a wide range of audiences.
• Commitment to equity-minded and community-centric fundraising and understanding of the mission of Polk State College and the Foundation.
• Knowledge of higher education development and advancement concepts, methods, and procedures. (preferred)
• A goals-oriented focus with a commitment to achieving results.
• Demonstrated success in working across teams and disciplines - facilitating solutions and driving forward priorities.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing priorities.
• Exhibit personal characteristics enabling effective interaction with important constituencies and possess a genuine commitment to advancing education.
• A valid Florida driver's license. Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Operating a motor vehicle is a regular and necessary part of this position.
• Strong preference for residing in Polk County (local knowledge) to facilitate close collaboration with local stakeholders and donors.

Working Conditions/Additional Information

• This position is a full-time on-campus position located at the Polk State Winter Haven Campus. It requires travel to event locations, as necessary. (Remote/hybrid options are not available.)
• Periodic weekend and evening work is required.
• Position may be required to work during College closures (such as winter/spring break and inclement weather closures).
• Reliable transportation is required for travel to campuses, centers, and donor visits.
• This position will require the ability to lift at least 20 lbs.

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution is required.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, public relations, nonprofit administration, communications, or a related field. Master's degree in business administration, marketing, public relations, nonprofit administration, communications, or a related field preferred.
• CFRE Certification preferred.

• A minimum of three years demonstrated success in development/donor solicitation, social/community or economic impact, philanthropy (non-profit) sales/marketing, or direct fundraising.
• Solid working knowledge of CRM donor database system.

Preferred Experience

• At least three years of demonstrated success in development/donor solicitation, social/community or economic impact, philanthropy (nonprofit) sales/marketing, or direct fundraising, with demonstrated success securing individual or annual fund gifts. Experience in an Education setting is preferred.
• Solid working knowledge of CRM donor database systems is a must, and experience with Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge NXT is a plus.

Submissions that do not include all parts of the following required information will not be considered:

• a resume
• an electronic job application (all sections MUST be completed)

This position will close at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024.

Important Information

• If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

• Polk State College participates in E-Verify. Candidates must provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States. Polk State College does not provide visa sponsorship.

• Polk State College is committed to equal access/equal opportunity in its programs, activities, and employment. For additional information, visit polk.edu/compliance. For questions or concerns, please contact: Lonnie Thompson, Chief of Institutional Compliance & Engagement/Title IX Coordinator; lthompson@polk.edu.
• To request Veteran's Preference, please be sure to upload all necessary documents (DD-214, etc.) to your application.

• Polk State College is a drug-free workplace.

• Polk State College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Reference checks, successful completion of a background check, and third-party Education Verification for all stated degrees will be required prior to employment.

• Polk State College does NOT provide relocation assistance for this position.

We encourage applicants to provide feedback of their experience or request help at Careers@polk.edu