Position Overview
Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is hiring an Assistant Vice President (AVP)/Chief Development Officer. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs & University Advancement, this new position serves as a cornerstone of the advancement division and a pivotal member of the Advancement Leadership Team, supporting a micro-campaign for a new Integrated Science Building, Admissions Welcome Center, and renovated residence hall.

Key Details

• Type: Full-time
• Salary: $115,000 – $120,000 annually
• Location: Charleston, Illinois
• Category: Administrative Vice Presidents
• Application Review Begins: November 13, 2026
• Closes: November 8, 2026

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal gifts ($250,000+)
• Supervise, coach, and mentor a team of fundraising professionals; establish annual KPIs and performance metrics
• Serve as a key architect for EIU’s annual fundraising plan, micro-campaigns, and upcoming comprehensive campaign
• Serve as a primary advisor to Deans and other academic leaders
• Provide strategic guidance on fundraising priorities and donor engagement
• Direct collaboration with Alumni Relations and the Foundation Collaborative relationship with the Assistant Athletics Director/Development
• Establish annual fundraising goals and KPIs for Development and individual fundraisers
• Utilize data analytics to monitor portfolio health and ensure a fluid “moves management” process
• Ensure fundraising activities align with the university’s strategic plan and centralized advancement standards
• Partner with Engagement, Communications, and Stewardship teams
• Represent the university at high-level meetings, events, and donor visits
• Manage development’s annual budget

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution
• Minimum of five years of professional fundraising experience in higher education or a nonprofit organization
• Demonstrated success in qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and closure of six- or seven-figure gifts (or higher)
• Experience with CRM software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud CRM, Salesforce)
• Ability to travel and work evening/weekend events as required
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation abilities
• Experience working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
• Supervisory experience
• Strong commitment to the Donor Bill of Rights and ability to maintain confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or relevant campaign experience
• Experience leading or mentoring professional staff in a goal-oriented setting
• Experience in determining appropriate gift levels and writing effective gift proposals
• Working knowledge of major gift fundraising, annual giving, and corporate and foundation fundraising
• Raiser’s Edge NXT or Blackbaud CRM experience
• Campaign experience
• Three or more years of supervisory experience
• Demonstrated success in closing principal-level gifts ($250,000+)
• Understanding of all functional areas of an advancement organization
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to interpret and use data to guide strategic decisions
• Sophisticated interpersonal skills with diverse constituents
• Excellent project management skills
• Strong active listening and communication skills

Work Schedule
Core hours Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Some required evenings, weekends, and travel.

About Eastern Illinois University
Celebrating more than 130 years of excellence, EIU is a fully accredited, comprehensive regional residential institution located in Charleston, Illinois, between Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. Known for individualized attention, supportive relationships, and exceptional outcomes including high graduation, retention, and career placement rates. Features more than 50 buildings within walking distance, extensive recreational facilities, 200+ student organizations, NCAA Division I athletics, 20+ fraternities and sororities, the Doudna Fine Arts Center, and the Tarble.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical coverage with competitive premiums and flexible plan options
• Vision insurance included with medical at no cost
• Dental plans available
• Participation in the State University Retirement System, including medical insurance benefits upon retirement
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependent children
• Up to 12 paid holidays annually, plus earned vacation and sick time

How to Apply
Submit application, resume, references, and transcripts (where required as a MAQ). No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from qualified applicants.

Accommodations
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations under the ADA by contacting Human Resources at (217)-581-3463 or employment@eiu.edu.