Executive Director of Development, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Lead a dynamic fundraising team, aligning donor passions with university priorities to support transformative education, research, and innovation.

In partnership with Lindauer, the Iowa State University Foundation seeks a dynamic and visionary Executive Director of Development to lead fundraising efforts for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) at Iowa State University.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the philanthropic future of a college known for its innovative research, diverse academic programs, and commitment to preparing students for global leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of fundraising professionals to achieve ambitious goals and advance the college’s mission.

• Build and maintain relationships with high-potential donors, cultivating gifts of $100,000 or more to support strategic priorities.

• Collaborate with the dean and college administrators to align fundraising initiatives with institutional goals and academic excellence.

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies that drive growth in major, leadership, and principal gifts

• Provide visionary leadership to foster a culture of philanthropy and engagement within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree or professional certification preferred.

• 8 years of professional fundraising experience. Experience in higher education fundraising is preferred.

• 4 years of experience managing professional fundraising staff and budget management.

• Strategic thinking, relationship-building, and leadership skills.

• Problem-solving skills and resourcefulness.

• Strong team orientation, a dedicated work ethic, and a positive and professional attitude

Why Iowa State?

• Support groundbreaking research and academic excellence in areas like AI, climate science, and humanities.

• Champion the next generation of leaders with your fundraising expertise.

• Collaborate with a vibrant community of scholars dedicated to transforming the world.

Lindauer, a global search and talent firm, has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the Iowa State University Foundation. To apply or nominate a candidate for this role, please visit the Lindauer website at https://www.lindauerglobal.com/.