Director of Development & Donor Engagement bei Lackawanna College

LACKAWANNA COLLEGE HAS BEEN VOTED ONE OF THE

“BEST PLACES TO WORK IN PA” FOR 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2024!

Lackawanna College is a private, accredited college serving the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our main campus is located in downtown Scranton, and our footprint includes satellite centers in Covington Twp., Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Towanda and Tunkhannock

Our mission is to provide a quality education to all persons who seek to improve their lives and better the communities in which they live.  We provide our students with a direct path to a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or one of many different professional certifications. Additionally, our Continuing Education department helps put the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania back to work with modern career skills.  Lackawanna is also one of the most cost-efficient regional higher education institutions.

If our mission inspires you, and you are willing to go the extra mile to help our students succeed, please feel free to apply for this or future employment opportunities for which you meet the minimum qualifications. Please know that only the candidates who meet the minimum qualifications can be considered, and only those selected for interviews will be contacted by a college representative.  No phone calls, please. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBJECTIVES:

The Director of Development and Donor Engagement is responsible for the frontline fundraising initiatives, charged with building and advancing a portfolio of new and emerging gift prospects. This role emphasizes proactive identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals, corporations, and foundations with the potential to grow into major supporters of Lackawanna College. Working in close partnership with the AVP for Advancement and the Advancement team, the Director will bring creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, and strong relationship-building skills to expand the College’s base of private support.
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Works with the AVP to establish clear, measurable fundraising goals that are both aspirational and achievable and aligned with institutional priorities. Manage, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of gift prospects and achieve fundraising targets as determined by the AVP and the President of the College.
2. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of primarily new and emerging prospects, guiding them toward greater levels of philanthropic support. Help ensure the success of the College’s special events as an active participant in planning, soliciting support and executing such events.  
3. Work collaboratively with the Advancement Services Coordinator to ensure timely acknowledgements, stewardship touches, and impact reporting for all assigned prospects. Collaborates with the Director of Annual Fund and Alumni Relations in the creation and execution of an alumni engagement strategy that builds connections with alumni.
4. Supports annual fund initiatives by bringing creativity, adaptability, and strong execution skills to campaigns such as direct mail, digital outreach, and social media engagement.

5. Develop and manage relationships with corporations, foundations, and business partners, including those providing tuition assistance, employee benefit support, or targeted student aid. Lead the solicitation and management of Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) partnerships, ensuring clear communication of impact to constituents and accurate tracking of support and outcomes.
    Keeps up to date on trends related to alumni engagement, corporate philanthropy, and higher education partnerships, and provides expertise to campus partners and staff.
6. Build strong relationships across the College community, serving as a connector and resource for faculty, staff, program directors, and athletics and leadership in identifying philanthropic opportunities. Ensures campus awareness of alumni and corporate engagement vision, programs and impact and collects and shares student impact stories both to internal and external constituencies.
7. Bring entrepreneurial thinking to prospect cultivation, developing new pathways for engagement and shaping a culture of philanthropy across the College. Incorporate best practices and deliver concierge-level cultivation and stewardship experiences that reflect the advancement team’s core value of hospitality.
8. Stay current on trends in philanthropy, higher education advancement, and corporate giving; serve as a resource to campus and advancement colleagues.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

1. Demonstrated ability to work across teams, seek input, and value diverse perspectives; thrives in a culture of shared success rather than individual spotlight.
2. Comfortable with change, willing to test new approaches, and committed to continuous learning rather than relying on “the way it’s always been done.”
3. Balances confidence with openness to feedback; prioritizes the mission and team success over personal recognition.
4. Proactively identifies opportunities, experiments with creative solutions, and embraces innovation in donor engagement.
5. Ability to approach all constituents with warmth, respect, and a commitment to concierge-level experiences that reflect the College’s values.
6. Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal abilities; able to engage diverse constituencies in a professional and polished manner.
7. Skilled at managing multiple priorities, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring follow-through on commitments.

EXPERIENCE:

• Two to five years of demonstrated success in fundraising, sales, business development, or other relationship-driven roles (higher education or nonprofit experience a plus).
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships; comfort with prospecting and cultivating new opportunities.
• Familiarity with donor databases or CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge preferred, but not required).
• Willingness to learn and adapt to emerging fundraising strategies and best practices.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Advanced degree a plus but not required; candidates with relevant experience and demonstrated success in relationship-building and fundraising are strongly encouraged to apply.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Sitting for extended periods of time with regular use of the computer and phone for most aspects of the job duties. 
• Involves frequent contact with members of the College community, alumni, and external community.   

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple high-priority items.

Applications will only be accepted via online method by clicking the link below. Deadline for applications, September 21, 2025.  No phone calls, please.

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=9d114fa5-887f-4687-9b71-ee538589a4bb&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=555699&lang=en_US&source=CC2

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Lackawanna College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment.

Lackawanna College is an accredited, private, non-profit educational institution providing opportunities for career and personal development within selected associates degree, certificate and continuing education program.