Capacity Development Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Utah State University is a vibrant hub where students are inspired to explore, lead, and make an impact. Science, humanities, and the arts intersect to empower students with durable skills, hands-on experiences, and lifelong knowledge in over 180 different degrees from 13 dynamic departments and eight centers and institutes. This landscape offers an exciting, wide-ranging opportunity to work with alumni and donors in transformative philanthropy.

The Development Officer will play a pivotal role in engaging donors and partners to advance these priorities. This position is responsible for the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects, linking donor passions with the college’s mission and emerging opportunities.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development for CAS, this role participates in strategy development for the college’s advancement team, manages a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, and serves as a visible ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. The successful candidate will build strong, collaborative relationships with the Dean, department heads, faculty, and university partners to secure significant private support for the college’s strategic priorities.  The position will be hired as either a Development Officer, Associate Director of Development, or a Director of Development based upon duties assigned and qualifications.  Please see Qualifications section.  

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Work with the Executive Director of Development for CAS and the CAS development team to set program goals aligned with the College as well as the university fundraising priorities.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, recognize, and steward donors with the capacity to give $50,000 or more.
• Develop and implement customized strategies for each donor/prospect, aligning philanthropic interests with college priorities.
• Engage corporate partners in supporting research, student opportunities, and innovation initiatives tied to the college’s expansion.
• Manage and optimize program resources, including budgets and timelines, to ensure efficient operations.

Program Management & Execution

• Serve as an active partner to the Dean and other academic leaders, providing strategic guidance for development activities and engaging advisory councils or campaign committees as appropriate.
• Utilize advancement tools to track donor engagement, report progress, and manage donor pipelines.
• Build a comprehensive understanding of gift vehicles—including cash, securities, planned gifts, and real property—to develop tailored proposals.

Data-Driven Strategy

• Work closely with Advancement Services data team to request and refine travel and prospect lists that align with campaign goals.
• Travel frequently to meet with donors, alumni, and corporate partners; evening and weekend work may be required.
• Stay informed on fundraising trends, technologies, and best practices to improve fundraising and college advancement effectiveness.

Collaboration & Partnerships

• Work closely with Advancement Services to ensure accurate gift processing and donor acknowledgment.
• Collaborate with university advancement colleagues, faculty, and administrators to identify, engage, and solicit major gift prospects.
• Represent the College of Arts & Science at events, alumni gatherings, and other public functions to promote its mission and achievements.

Minimum Qualifications:

The position will be hired as either a Development Officer (Development Officer I), Associate Director of Development (Development Officer II), or a Director of Development (Development Officer III) based upon duties assigned and qualifications:

• Development Officer: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Associate Director of Development: Bachelor’s degree plus two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Director of Development: Bachelor’s degree plus four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For all levels:

• Proven ability to engage in complex gift conversations, with a record of closing significant gifts or contracts.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior administrators, faculty, and advisory boards.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience leading or mentoring staff and working collaboratively within a team.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in donor engagement and workplace culture.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree.
• Experience with capital campaigns.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1.  Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
2.  Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application (iForm)
3.  Contact information for Professional Reference to be typed at the beginning of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The Division of Advancement is a welcoming office where teamwork and inclusiveness are highly valued. Advancement staff are engaged in the meaningful work of securing private financial resources to fuel Utah State University's mission by creating gratifying gift and engagement experiences for USU's generous and passionate alumni and friends. Comprising the division are the office of the Vice President, the USU Foundation & Board, Advancement Services, the Alumni Association (Alumni Engagement), Gift Planning, Corporations and Foundations, Strategic Communications, Stewardship, the Annual Fund and ACE (Alumni Center for Engagement). Furthermore, the division coordinates all fundraising efforts across campus, including colleges, various programs, extension campuses, and USU Athletics. Through the collaboration of these units, the Division of Advancement is able to achieve significant annual fundraising goals by inspiring stakeholders to invest their time and resources in Utah State University.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025–26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 07/2026

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

titleix@usu.edu

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 08/2026