Job Listings

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) develops and carries a portfolio of prospective philanthropic donors, with a significant focus on individuals and corporations, to raise major gifts for Pikes Peak State College strategic objectives. The CDO also oversees donor engagement strategies including stewardship events, mailings, e-solicitations, and special convenings. The Director may oversee discrete, time-sensitive fundraising projects, focusing on prospecting, cultivating, and soliciting or positioning PPSC’s leadership to solicit major and principal philanthropic gifts. This position has a significant focus on prospect identification and the development of viable prospects.

The CDO designs and implements a strategic development approach to determine potential donors’ financial ability, capacity, and interest in making major gifts. The CDO conducts one-on-one visits with donors for the purpose of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The CDO maintains records of all cultivation strategies, evaluations, solicitations, contact reports, and results of all contacts with prospects.

The CDO also envisions and executes programs designed to engage donors with Pikes Peak State College. This may include both virtual and in-person events with current donors, lapsed donors, and prospects. The CDO should consider development of organized regular communication programs to prospects and the greater Pikes Peak Community. This may include developing messaging, managing mailing lists, and partnering with PPSC Office of Communications. These activities are all to be undertaken with a focus on expanding the Foundation’s major gift donor pipeline.

The CDO must inspire and maintain positive relationships and communications with Foundation and PPSC colleagues to strengthen donor relationships and philanthropic giving to PPSC. The CDO works closely with the PPSC Foundation Business Officer and PPSC Grants Officer, and the President of PPSC as a team to maximize effectiveness of developing resources in support of PPSC. The CDO has primary responsibility for all fund raising except governmental grants. 

Annually, the CDO is expected to meet or exceed fundraising metrics developed by the CDO in consultation with the President. The CDO sits on the President’s Cabinet and is part of the strategic leadership of the college.

Significant amounts of time for the position will be spent externally with prospects and opportunity development.

Position is required in person, on campus with the opportunity for alternative work arrangements such as flexplace, remote work, or flextime scheduling upon completion of training and department needs.  All work must be performed in the State of Colorado, out of state work is not permitted.  Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completed Bachelor’s degree in business, non-profit management, marketing, social sciences.  At the College’s discretion, significant professional level work experience or demonstrated proficiency in a similar role that provides the same level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may substitute for the required degree.
• Three years of professional level experience in one or more of the following areas: fundraising in a higher education institution, non-profit setting, or business experience in sales or marketing.

Professional level experience is defined by the Colorado Division of Human Resources: A position that involves the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, or sharing an organized body of knowledge.  Colorado revised statute (C.R.S. 24-50-135(1) allows colleges to exempt positions from the State Personnel Classified System that are determined to be professional level work.

Salary range is $100,000.00 to $120,000.00 annual gross.  For full consideration, all application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. on November 3, 2022.  Applications accepted until position is filled.  

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Application Instructions: Application must be submitted online.  Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration.  A complete application will include:

• Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.
• Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  
• Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred.  Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.  
• Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.

This position may be eligible for a variety of employee benefits.  Pikes Peak State College participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates.

Note: Prior submission of application materials will not be considered.

Essential Functions 

• Identify and conduct personal visits with key individual and corporate prospects to determine capacity and interest in making a major gift to CCCS.
• Cultivate potential gift prospects utilizing relationship-based fundraising strategies including one-on-one meetings, special group events, and other engagement strategies.
• Set up, facilitate, and devise strategies for face-to-face meetings with donors. Identify donor philanthropic interests, and close gifts.
• Work closely with constituents to advance donor relationships, drive new/renewed giving, coordinate gift arrangements and documentation, and oversee stewardship of assigned donors.
• Carry a portfolio of viable prospects. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects via one-on-one meetings and other interactions to secure support for the Colorado Community College System.
• Support PPSC’s programmatic priorities by soliciting major gifts, either via one-on-one contacts, in concert with a key volunteer, or with involvement of PPSC’s leadership.
• Research, write and develop proposals and letters of inquiry, including budgets, as appropriate. Ensure proposed programs and initiatives match donor priorities.
• Ensure donors receive appropriate stewardship and recognition via reports, pledge reminders, and other appropriate follow-up.
• Prepare appropriate reports and follow-up correspondence for meetings and contact with major gift prospects.
• Design and develop programs to engage donors and prospects.
• Advise and provide advance preparation for the PPSC President or other PPSC team members engaged with fundraising efforts.
• Research and define meeting objectives, write talking points, create donor proposals, write donor correspondence, and organize collateral materials as needed.
• Consider with PPSC President the creation of a direct email program.
• Operate as part of the President’s cabinet participating in cabinet meetings, bringing strategic perspective and leadership to the team.

General Duties, Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Cultural competence and demonstrated evidence, understanding, and commitment to the concepts of diversity, multiculturalism, and their application in the workplace.
• Strategic leader who functions well as part of a team.
• The ability to see possibilities and execute on ambitious plans on behalf of serving the mission of Pikes Peak State College.
• Proven track record of success in closing gifts at the six-figure level or equivalent business sales and marketing success.
• Practiced in managing major projects, including budgeting.
• Passion for post-secondary education, especially community colleges.
• Success in managing a portfolio of donors and solicitation of prospects. Proven track record of success in closing major and/or planned gifts, or business closures.
• Knowledge of major gift fundraising best practices and procedures.
• Capable of traveling locally and nationally as necessary.
• Working knowledge of technology necessary to perform job functions, including donor databases.
• Ability to work flexible hours with occasional weekends and evenings.
• Relationship builder who can relate to persons of diverse backgrounds, skills, and abilities.
• Active listening skills.
• Ability to tell the story of our college well adapting to the needs and interests of diverse audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to include outstanding persuasion and sales skills to influence potential donors.
• Flexible and able to adapt to meet the interests of differing constituents.
• Ability to manage high-level confidential information with integrity and sensitivity.
• Ability to work collaboratively and successfully as a member of a team as well as individually to solve problems, achieve common goals and produce positive results.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet financial goals.
• Creative thinker who is an analytical problem solver.
• Detail oriented with excellent follow-through and able to present themselves in a personable, professional, and energetic manner.

This job description reflects Pikes Peak State College’s best effort to describe the essential duties and qualifications of the job.  It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities or qualifications of the job.  This document is not intended to exclude an opportunity for modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation.   

EEO Statement: Pikes Peak State College is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act institution.  We value diversity, strive for a more unified campus where all people are valued, treated fairly, and possess a sense of belonging.  Pikes Peak State College encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.