Will work on-site.
The Executive Director of Development is the senior fundraiser and leads LCTC's major gifts program. Working closely with the Executive Vice President and the President this position identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, employers, corporations, and foundations capable of transformational investments in Louisiana's community and technical colleges and their students.
The role carries a major gifts portfolio and builds the systems, team, and board engagement needed to grow and diversify philanthropic revenue in line with the LCTC Foundation Strategic Plan 2026–2029. The Executive Director of Development uses student outcomes, workforce data, and compelling stories to show donors the return on their investment in Louisiana's workforce. Reports to Executive Vice President.
College: LCTC
Department: LCTC External Relations
Type of Appointment: Full-Time
Salary: Will be commensurate with both education and experience.
Major Gifts and Principal Giving (50%)
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 75–100 qualified prospects (individuals, employers, corporations, and foundations) with capacity for gifts of $25,000 and above.
• Move prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and personally close major gifts.
• Meet annual goals for substantive donor contacts, proposals submitted, and dollars closed, as set with the Executive Director.
• Prepare tailored proposals, gift agreements, and pledge agreements, including endowed scholarships that may qualify for Board of Regents matching programs.
• Build multi-year investments from industry partners and employers tied to high-demand workforce programs, equipment, and student support.
• Lay the groundwork for a planned giving program, including bequest and deferred gift conversations with longtime supporters.
Fundraising Strategy and Growth (15%)
• Develop and carry out annual and multi-year fundraising plans with the LCTC leadership team.
• Set ambitious, achievable goals aligned with the LCTC strategic vision and the Foundation Strategic Plan 2026–2029.
• Track performance, report progress to the Foundation Board, and adjust strategy based on donor trends and system priorities.
• Assess readiness for, and help plan, future campaigns and signature funding initiatives.
Development Operations and Team Leadership (15%)
• Supervise and develop the Development and Foundation Coordinator, who manages gift processing, donor records, acknowledgments, and stewardship logistics along with annual conference sponsorships.
• Build systems for moves management, prospect research, portfolio accountability, and accurate donor records in the Foundation's donor database.
• Ensure gifts are accepted, documented, and reported in line with LCTCS policy, including gift-in-kind and gift acceptance procedures.
• Use metrics to guide decisions and foster culture of collaboration, learning, accountability, and excellence.
Board, College, and Community Partnership (10%)
• Equip Foundation Board members to open doors and make asks by preparing materials, coaching, and creating meaningful ways to engage.
• Coordinate with college foundations on prospect clearance, joint solicitations, and shared donor stewardship so LCTC presents one voice to statewide donors.
• Represent LCTC at community events, conferences, and external meetings.
• Build strategic partnerships that expand awareness of and philanthropic support for Louisiana's community and technical colleges.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Outcomes Storytelling (10%)
• Partner with communications, finance, academic, and workforce teams to keep fundraising aligned with system priorities and measurable impact.
• Gather completer, wage, and employer outcomes data and student stories to strengthen proposals, impact reports, and donor communications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Measures of Success:
• Portfolio: A fully qualified major gifts portfolio within the first six months.
• Activity: Annual targets for donor contacts, proposals, and gifts closed are met or exceeded.
• Revenue: Major gift revenue grows year over year toward Strategic Plan goals.
• Stewardship: Donor retention and multi-year commitments increase.
• Board: Every Foundation Board member takes part in at least one cultivation or solicitation each year.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience
• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive fundraising experience, including at least 5 years in major gifts.
• Documented record of personally closing five- and six-figure gifts.
• Demonstrated success designing and carrying out fundraising strategies that deliver measurable growth.
• Experience managing donor portfolios and cultivating long-term philanthropic relationships.
• Supervisory experience and comfort working with board members and senior executives.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Fundraising experience in higher education, workforce development, or a statewide nonprofit.
• Established relationships with Louisiana business, industry, and philanthropic leaders.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.
• Experience with planned giving and with donor database and prospect research tools.
Core Competencies:
• Major Gift Solicitation - Confidence and skill in qualifying prospects, making the ask, and closing five- and six-figure gifts from individuals, employers, corporations, and foundations.
• Relationship Building and Stewardship - Ability to build lasting trust with donors, board members, and industry leaders, and to keep them connected to the impact of their giving.
• Strategic Fundraising Leadership - Ability to set goals, build multi-year fundraising plans, and align philanthropy with the LCTC strategic vision and the Foundation Strategic Plan.
• Outcomes Storytelling - Skill in turning completer, wage, and employer outcomes data and student stories into compelling proposals, impact reports, and donor communications.
• Data-Informed Management - Use of portfolio metrics, moves management, and donor data to guide decisions and hold the development program accountable.
• Team Leadership and Collaboration - Experience supervising staff, coaching board members, and working across a large, distributed system of colleges and college foundations.
Benefits: As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, LCTC System has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and position will remain open until filled.
Application Instructions: Applicants for this position should submit a cover letter that addresses the outlined responsibilities, a resume, and the names and contact information for three professional/work-related references. *If selected, applicant will be asked to provide a certified copy of transcript prior to final offer if degree is a qualifying requirement.
In accordance with LCTC Policy #6.036, a criminal history check will be conducted on all new hires. LCTC participates in the federal E-Verify system for identification and employment eligibility purposes. LCTC is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information about the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, visit www.lctcs.edu.
