Working Title: Development Officer (JMU Only)
State Role Title: N/A
Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: Development
Department: 100399 - Strategic Gifts
Pay Band: N/A
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: $78,000 - $88,000
Is this a JMU only position? Yes. This is a JMU only recruitment, only current JMU employees are eligible to apply.
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 8/3/2026
About JMU:
Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.
Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.
Who We Are
Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.
JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.
JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.
General Information:
The Office of Strategic Gifts at James Madison University is accepting applications for a Development Officer. The office is responsible for developing and managing programs leading to private gifts which will support and advance the university's faculty, students and programs. The staff identifies potential donors, educates alumni, parents and friends about the financial needs of the university and conducts solicitations to meet those needs.
The purpose of this position is to solicit private gifts that support scholarship, faculty support, capital projects and endowment requirements of the university. Projects will require close working relationships with faculty, academic administrators and other university officers, and an understanding of academic and co-curricular program goals and objectives of a college/program.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Gift Cultivation and Solicitation (80%)
1. Design and implement an annual fundraising plan based on university objectives, working in conjunction with academic leaders, the Senior Director of Strategic Gifts and the Associate Vice President for Development.
2. Identify, cultivate and solicit individuals and families as cleared through prospect development, believed to have potential to make major gifts and/or planned gifts to university interests.
3. Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 100 active major/planned gift prospects. The successful candidate will be given a college/university program liaison responsibility.
4. Sustain a level of major and planned gift activity commensurate with performance expectations of major gifts staff. Development performance will be measured by mutually agreed upon metrics.
5. Collaborate with the Offices of Annual Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Giving, Constituent Engagement and Athletics to seek gifts for the university.
Alumni Activities, Public Relations, and Stewardship (20%)
1. Work with other Philanthropy & Engagement offices as appropriate to design and implement recognition, stewardship activities and special events for donors and prospects affiliated with the university.
2. Assist other offices within Philanthropy & Engagement as necessary to advance the goals of the division.
3. Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Senior Director of Strategic Gifts and the Associate Vice President for Development.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
- Demonstrated significant experience in fundraising (preferably in higher education) or in related fields (such as non-profits, sales or business development) if that experience transfers effectively to the requirements of the position.
- Proven ability to solicit and close major gifts and/or ask for and secure commitments.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to relate to a broad range of constituencies.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
- Willingness and ability to travel.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to utilize technological resources to maximum advantage.
Additional Posting Information:
JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement:
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation:
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or [email protected]. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
