Description
Salary Range:
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
About SMU
A nationally ranked private university located near the heart of Dallas, SMU is a distinguished center for global research and teaching.
SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.
Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.
SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.
About Department:
Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.
DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.
SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fund-raising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.
About the Position:
This role is an on-campus, in-person position.
This role leads the strategy and execution of engagement and fundraising efforts for undergraduate students, recent graduates (0–10 years), and next-generation alumni (11–20 years), building a strong pipeline of future donors.
This role fosters lifelong philanthropic relationships through intentional cultivation, solicitation and meaningful engagement opportunities. The position manages key volunteer groups, including the Student Philanthropy Council and Young Alumni Board, to drive participation and annual giving. It also maintains a targeted portfolio of leadership-level prospects, executing personalized strategies to advance engagement and philanthropic support.
Working collaboratively, the role develops high-impact programs that connect constituents to the institution and its mission. The role leverages data-driven insights and multi-channel strategies to increase donor participation, volunteerism and early philanthropic behaviors.
Essential Functions:
Strategic Program Leadership & Pipeline Development: Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to increase philanthropy from student, young alumni (0–10 years), and next-generation alumni (11–20 years). Design, execute and optimize a series of annual programs and events that intentionally move constituents along the donor engagement continuum. Establish and monitor annual goals for participation (donor) and dollar growth, and pipeline development in collaboration with AGAR leadership. Use benchmarking, analytics, and industry best practices to continuously refine program effectiveness and ROI.
Portfolio Management & Front-line Fundraising: Manage a portfolio of approximately 50–75 leadership-level prospects drawn primarily from young alumni and next-generation cohorts. Develop and execute tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies in partnership with fundraising colleagues. Identify and qualify new prospects through engagement activities, volunteer networks, and events.
Manage Young Alumni Board (YAB): Recruit, train & manage the YAB as a high-performing volunteer body focused on engagement, advocacy & annual giving. Design & execute board meetings, strategic plans & annual expectations aligned with DEA priorities. Coach YAB members to serve as ambassadors, peer solicitors & connectors to emerging leadership donors. Align with broader alumni volunteer structures.
Student Philanthropy Council Leadership (Union): Provide strategic oversight and day-to-day management of the Union, building a strong culture of philanthropy among undergraduate students. Lead recruitment, training and goal-setting for student leaders; facilitate regular meetings and programming. Design and implement campaigns to meet and increase student giving and awareness. Create pathways for student leaders to transition into engaged young alumni volunteers and donors. Partner with campus stakeholders (Student Affairs, Athletics, Admissions, etc.) to integrate philanthropy into the student experience.
Engagement Programming & Campaign Activation: Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of signature student and young alumni programs, including SMU Giving Day, the Official SMU Ring Program, Senior and Young Alumni Toast, and Celebration of Lights. Develop opportunities focused on networking, traditions, career development, and philanthropy education while using innovative digital and in-person engagement strategies to increase participation and strengthen connections to SMU.
Communications, Marketing & Digital Engagement: Collaborate with campus marketing and AGAR teams to deliver targeted, multi-channel communications that resonate with younger audiences. Leverage social media, digital platforms, and peer-to-peer outreach to amplify engagement and giving, creating copy and assets if required. Provide strategic input on messaging, segmentation and campaign execution for student and young alumni audiences.
Collaboration, Data & Operations: Partner across Advancement to align engagement efforts with broader fundraising priorities and donor strategies. Track, analyze and report on key metrics including participation rates, donor retention & pipeline progression. Manage program budgets, timelines and logistics to ensure effective execution of all initiatives. Regularly update university leadership and AGAR colleagues on efforts, making recommendations to support development and engagement goals.
Support additional Advancement initiatives and special projects as assigned. Other duties as assigned.
The position requires regular evening or weekend work.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s preferred. Degree in Higher Education, communications, fundraising, program management, highly preferred.
A minimum of two years of professional work experience in one or more of the following is required: higher education, direct marketing, fundraising, alumni relations, volunteer management or program management.
Professional work experience that requires written communication skills and production of mass marketing elements for large audiences, also required.
Experience managing volunteer boards and/or committees of adult professionals, preferred. Experience managing multiple projects with the goal of delivering on specific metrics, required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A strong customer service orientation is essential.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills. Budget management experience, required.
Proven ability in building and managing alumni, volunteer or event activity and plans that support fundraising goals of the department and university is strongly preferred. Knowledge of SMU alumni constituencies and campus culture, is a plus. Direct fundraising/personal solicitation experience, highly desired.
Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Experience with data visualization, preferred.
Experience with social media platforms and tools, highly preferred. Experience with Monday.com or other project management tools, required. Experience with Gravyty or GiveCampus platform (or other volunteer management system,) is a plus.
Experience with Salesforce or another CRM, highly preferred. Adobe Creative Cloud or Canva, preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Bend, squat, kneel
Reach above shoulders
Handle objects (dexterity)
Push/pull
Carry/lift 25 lbs.
Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
The position is open until filled.
Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by June 26, 2026.
EEO Statement:
SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
Requirements
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s preferred. Degree in Higher Education, communications, fundraising, program management, highly preferred.
A minimum of two years of professional work experience in one or more of the following is required: higher education, direct marketing, fundraising, alumni relations, volunteer management or program management.
Professional work experience that requires written communication skills and production of mass marketing elements for large audiences, also required.
Experience managing volunteer boards and/or committees of adult professionals, preferred. Experience managing multiple projects with the goal of delivering on specific metrics, required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A strong customer service orientation is essential.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time-management skills. Budget management experience, required.
Proven ability in building and managing alumni, volunteer or event activity and plans that support fundraising goals of the department and university is strongly preferred. Knowledge of SMU alumni constituencies and campus culture, is a plus. Direct fundraising/personal solicitation experience, highly desired.
Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Experience with data visualization, preferred.
Experience with social media platforms and tools, highly preferred. Experience with Monday.com or other project management tools, required. Experience with Gravyty or GiveCampus platform (or other volunteer management system,) is a plus.
Experience with Salesforce or another CRM, highly preferred. Adobe Creative Cloud or Canva, preferred.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Bend, squat, kneel
Reach above shoulders
Handle objects (dexterity)
Push/pull
Carry/lift 25 lbs.
Sit for long periods of time
Deadline to Apply:
The position is open until filled.
Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by June 26, 2026.
