ANSEP Partnerships and Development Senior Director

ANSEP is seeking a Partnerships and Development Senior Director. This position serves as ANSEP's senior development and external partnerships subject matter expert, providing strategic leadership for a comprehensive portfolio of philanthropic, federal, corporate, Alaska Native Corporation, foundation, and other external funding and partnership activities. The position works in close alignment with and under the strategic direction of the Endowed Chair, and aligns all development operations with the overarching goals set by executive leadership. The position has authority, within delegated University and ANSEP parameters, to develop and implement the most complex strategies, plans, programs, and external commitments supporting ANSEP's mission of preparing Alaska Native students for careers in STEM and business. The position operates under long-range administrative direction with substantial independence in executing strategy, and is accountable for a large and highly complex portfolio involving multiple funding sources, regulatory environments, external constituencies, University units, and program components. The position evaluates financial needs and funding opportunities, identifies and develops strategic partners, negotiates and administers complex agreements, advises ANSEP executive leadership on development strategy and external obligations, and represents ANSEP with senior leaders of corporations, federal agencies, Alaska Native Corporations, foundations, government entities, and other external constituencies. The position's recommendations and commitments may materially affect ANSEP programs, funding, partnerships, and the University community.

To thrive in this role, an applicant must bring expert-level knowledge of philanthropic support, fundraising strategy, donor stewardship, external partnership development, and overall development operations. Candidates should serve seamlessly as a senior strategic advisor to executive leadership, demonstrating the ability to evaluate competing funding opportunities, manage complex multi-stakeholder relationships, and make recommendations that carry significant programmatic and financial impact. Operating independently under long-range administrative direction, the ideal candidate exercises sound judgment to establish priorities, navigate decisions within delegated authority, and advise leadership on strategic commitments, operational risks, emerging opportunities, and corrective actions.

Success in this position relies heavily on advanced written and verbal communication skills, including expertise in grant writing, proposal development, high-stakes negotiation, public speaking, executive-level presentations, and the clear articulation of complex compliance obligations. Candidates must possess a strong analytical mindset to research partnership avenues, leverage donor databases and fundraising systems, and synthesize development metrics, financial data, and relationship trends into actionable strategic plans. Additionally, applicants should excel at conceptualizing new programs, executing and monitoring complex multi-year agreements, supervising staff, and uniting diverse internal and external stakeholders—including Alaska Native Corporations, tribal groups, higher education teams, and federal agencies—to drive long-term funding and program success. To be successful, the Director must be willing and able to travel extensively—both across the state of Alaska and throughout the contiguous United States—to build relationships, negotiate commitments, and represent ANSEP before key funding partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum qualifications require a Master’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field, combined with four years of experience in development, fundraising, grants management, external relations, complex program leadership, or partnership development. Candidates must also possess expert-level knowledge of fundraising principles, donor relations, and philanthropic strategy, backed by a demonstrated track record of securing major gifts, corporate partnerships, federal grants, or other significant multi-year external funding commitments.

Candidates bringing five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in development, fundraising, or related functions—including direct leadership of complex programs, partnerships, or staff—are highly desired. Strong preference is also given to applicants holding a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification and those with direct experience working alongside Alaska Native Corporations, tribal organizations, Indigenous communities, higher education, or government agencies. Additional preferred qualifications include familiarity with federal grant processes (such as NSF, NIH, or DOD), experience in STEM education program fundraising or capital campaigns, and deep knowledge of Alaska's corporate, philanthropic, and regulatory landscape.

Position Details:

This position is located on the UAA campus in Anchorage, and flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. This is a full-time, term-funded, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 82, based on education and experience.

We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed. 

A valid Alaska Driver's License and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria.

This is a term-funded position reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

To Apply, Please Submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Three professional references, including at least one current or previous supervisor

The University of Alaska (UA) requires employees to work on-site based on operational and business needs. Hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered only for positions specifically designated and advertised as eligible for hybrid or remote work. Any approved arrangement will be based on the position’s duties, operational needs, and the employee’s ability to effectively perform the work remotely.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Cate Weist, ANSEP HR Manager at caweist@alaska.edu.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online:  https://uas.alaska.edu/compliance/clery-act/annual-security-reports.html. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing  uas.orca@alaska.edu.