Join Our Team

Welcome to the Marshall University Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing the mission of Marshall University through philanthropy. We build enduring relationships that maximize advocacy and philanthropy to support Marshall University. Marshall Foundation team members are mission-driven and dedicated to connecting people and developing partnerships.

The Marshall Foundation is committed to developing its team members and helping them grow their careers while fulfilling the organization’s mission. Through teamwork and collaboration, people across the organization work to grow and foster relationships between benefactors and the university.

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Director of Philanthropy

The Director of Philanthropy is a key member of the Development Team and responsible for establishing, building and deepening meaningful relationships with Marshall University Foundation prospects and donors.   Directors of Philanthropy cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors with the capacity to make major gifts at the $25,000 level and greater.

This is a position for an entrepreneurial and relationship-driven fundraiser to expand and deepen the philanthropic contributions of a portfolio of prospects and donors. In 2026, the Marshall University Foundation will launch a major fundraising campaign and the Director of Philanthropy will work collaboratively with Foundation and University colleagues to fulfill the campaign goals.

Strategic Prospect and Donor Engagement

• Work closely with the CDO and Foundation and Development staff, university deans, faculty and key volunteers to pursue a coordinated and strategic program of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors.
• Identify, qualify, and advance major gift prospects through proactive prospecting, referrals, research, events, and relationship-building.
• Make direct solicitations and close gifts; maintain a high level of donor and prospect engagement, including regular in-person and virtual meetings
• Manage a major gift donor portfolio of current, dormant, and prospective donors with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or greater.
• By building relationships through cultivation and stewardship raise a minimum of $500,000 annually.

Portfolio Management

• Leverage prospect research, data, and analytics to prioritize outreach, refine strategy, and strengthen the donor pipeline.
• Document contacts and strategies using the moves management system.
• Adhere to the Foundation’s policies and procedures for accepting, recording and acknowledging gifts and pledges.

Other Duties

• Pursue professional growth activities in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer.
• Participate as a full member of the advancement team attending prospect management meetings, professional development activities and other staff meetings, as appropriate.
• Monitor and process expenditures on a timely basis and within approved budgets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of 3 years of progressive and successful philanthropic development, relationship-based institutional sales, marketing, and/or related experience.
• Proven experience developing and managing relationships with high-level prospects.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – written, verbal, and presentation.
• Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to travel locally and nationally to fulfill Key Responsibilities.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends to fulfill Key Responsibilities.

PREFERRED

• Master’s degree in business administration, public sector management, marketing, or related discipline.
• Philanthropic development experience within a higher education, foundation, or non-profit institution.
• Proven success in securing major gifts and increasing donor support and engagement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and donor databases.

Administrative Assistant

The Administrative Assistant provides high-level administrative assistance to the Vice President of Advancement Services and the Vice President of Development (the “Vice Presidents”). The position supports the general administrative functions related to advancement services and development and collaborates with Foundation colleagues to fulfil administrative and operational duties, in support of the Foundation’s mission.

Nature of Work

• Assists the Vice Presidents by performing routine to complex administrative and operational tasks.
• Exercises sound judgement to plan and organize their work to provide support-type services to the Vice Presidents and their teams, enabling them to prioritize and address their responsibilities.
• Addresses inquiries, requests and decision-making using established protocols, guidelines, and/or policies; addressing non-routine matters may require consultation with the Vice Presidents and/or members of their teams.
• Works using self-starting initiative, without the need for detailed instruction or supervision to perform essential function of the position.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the Vice Presidents’ representative to internal and external parties by answering phone calls and responding to emails and taking messages.
• Prepares agendas and organizes/schedules meetings and events that require judgement in determining and prioritizing activities to meet desired results.
• Creates, modifies and maintains PowerPoint presentations and reports.
• Prepares correspondence, emails, and routine documents; maintains department files and databases.
• Performs data entry and approval duties related to contact reports, timesheets, requisition submissions, and data-based reporting, among others.
• Uses project management software to create, manage, track and report on projects identified by the Vice Presidents.
• Orders supplies and sorts/distributes/circulates mail, as needed
• Makes travel arrangements for Vice Presidents and prepares/submits associated expense reports.
• May supervise graduate assistants, work study students, and/or volunteers.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Associates degree or vocational school training combined with a minimum of two years’ experience performing the essential job functions or related duties (“Required Experience”).
• Required Experience may be substituted by a minimum of four years of relevant work experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and internet-based collaboration tools.
• Periodic evenings and weekend work to fulfill the essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts degree in a related field.
• Administrative experience in higher education, foundation, or non-profit organization.
• Detail-orientation with a high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion
• Software Experience: Banner

Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

The Assistant Director of Alumni Relations serves as a key ambassador for Marshall University’s alumni community, helping to foster lifelong connections among Marshall alumni. Reporting to the Vice President for Alumni Relations, this role works closely with colleagues across University Advancement to steward relationships with alumni, students, donors, and friends of the university, plan events, and coordinate volunteer programs. This position helps bring Marshall traditions to life while building a culture of pride, affinity and connection. In collaboration with the Director of Alumni Engagement, the Assistant Director will play a pivotal role in energizing our current 30+ alumni chapters and emerging chapters with meaningful engagement and support.

MUAA Board Support & Volunteer Coordination (20%)

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the Marshall University Alumni Association Board of Directors and Board Committees (MUAA Board).
• Assist with agendas, scripts, minutes, and documentation for board and committee meetings.
• Coordinate logistics for MUAA Board retreats, workshops, and travel.
• Oversee committee projects, nominations, and elections within the MUAA Board.
• Collaborate with the alumni relations team to support volunteer programs including Alumni Mentors, Student Alumni Council, and regional chapter leaders.
• Foster and increase volunteer participation in Foundation events.
• New and Emerging Chapters and Programs (20%)
• Lead the identification and development of new and emerging MUAA Chapters.
• Conduct prospective calls and provide support for emerging MUAA Chapters.
• Coordinate and nurture the growth of the MUAA Student Alumni Council.
• Create strategies and implement programs to engage young alumni.
• Facilitate bank account setup for MUAA chapters.

Events Coordination (30%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Alumni Engagement to plan and implement Marshall Alumni Association events including the annual Alumni Awards, Homecoming festivities, regional chapter gatherings, and other assistance as needed.
• Collaborate with the Big Green (the fundraising arm for Marshall University Athletics) to support athletic-related alumni events such as tailgates, watch parties, and game-day hospitality experiences.
• Manage event budgets in collaboration with the Vice President for Alumni Relations and Senior Director of Alumni Operations; process transactions and compile financial reports.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director of Alumni Operations to: produce event-related materials, including attendee lists, briefing materials, and post-event reports, maintain the master alumni event calendar, and track engagement metrics.

Customer Service & Alumni Relations (30%)

• Manage sensitive alumni and donor data with discretion and professionalism.
• Collaborate with the alumni relations team to generate reports based on alumni engagement, event participation, and volunteer activity.
• Interact daily with high-level stakeholders including MUAA Board members, university leadership, and community partners.
• Celebrate alumni milestones and achievements with warmth and precision, reinforcing the lifelong value of being part of the Marshall University Alumni family.
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Superior organizational and time-management abilities.
• Proven experience creating and modifying files in the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays to fulfill the job responsibilities.
• A personal vehicle and ability to travel to fulfill the job responsibilities.

PREFERRED

• Experience leading programs and increasing engagement in higher education, fundraising, nonprofits, or related field.
• Familiarity with alumni relations, donor stewardship, or volunteer coordination.
• Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to fostering a professional and collaborative workplace.