Associate Director of Development

Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants:
All interested applicants please attach a cover letter and resume in PDF format.

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Faculty, staff, and students share values essential to our success. These values guide decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture:
Responsibility, Integrity, Community, Excellence.

The Associate Director of Development manages a portfolio of major gift donors and advances philanthropic support through strategic fundraising initiatives. The role identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donor prospects, targeting philanthropic commitments of $25,000 to $100,000+ across all schools and programs.

• Developing and executing data-informed engagement strategies.
• Aligning donor interests with institutional priorities.
• Contributing to overall fundraising performance.
• Maintaining an active portfolio of 85 to 100 prospects and achieving annual fundraising outcomes of $500,000 to $750,000 or more within the second year.
• Collaborating with development colleagues, faculty, and cross-functional partners and reporting to the Senior Director of Development.

Entrepreneurial and focused fundraiser who is successful in engaging high-capacity prospects in ways that lead to closing significant gifts.

Hybrid role combining in-office and remote work. Must possess or obtain a valid Texas driver’s license within 30 days of hire, no more than three moving violations or at-fault accidents in the past 36 months, and no convictions for DWI or DUI in the past five years.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Two or more years of successful professional fundraising or equivalent experience with a demonstrated track record of soliciting, closing, and stewarding gifts of $25,000+.

• Ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development and presentation.
• Ability to analyze information and apply insights to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with ability to manage competing priorities.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and standard office software.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail.

• Experience in higher education or nonprofit fundraising environments.
• Experience supporting or contributing to capital campaigns or major gift initiatives.
• Exposure to planned giving, corporate, or foundation fundraising.
• Familiarity with donor management systems and reporting tools.
• Experience managing a donor or prospect portfolio.
• Certified Fund-Raising Executive credential or equivalent experience.
• Interest in or appreciation for Rice University’s mission and programs.

• Manages a portfolio of major gift prospects through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develops and implements strategies to advance donor relationships and achieve fundraising goals.
• Secures philanthropic commitments in the range of $25,000 to $100,000 or more.
• Builds and maintains relationships with donors, alumni, faculty, and university leadership.
• Prepares and presents proposals that align donor interests with institutional priorities.
• Collaborates with colleagues across Development, Alumni Relations, and academic units to coordinate engagement strategies.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of activity in CRM systems.
• Monitor…