University Development Counselor Jobs
University Development Counselor jobs are open across higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and foundations, at every level from entry-level to senior director, with specializations in major gifts, alumni relations, and annual giving. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 64+ University Development Counselor jobs
University Counselor Assistant I, Ilitch Career Services in the Mike Ilitch School of Business
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced University Counselor Assistant I, Ilitch Career Services in the Mike Ilitch School of Business at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
The University Counselor Assistant I in the Mike llitch School of Business, llitch School Career Services, will report to the Director of llitch School Career Services. The individual in this position will collaborate closely with the llitch School Career Services staff and Director, assisting with career advising, mentor programs, and office programming.
Job Description:
- Provide support for the llitch School Career Services Mentor Program, including working with prospective and current students interested in finding a mentor.
- Provide career advising to Ilitch School of Business students and assist students with resume development, interview skills, job search strategies, and other professional development.
- Assist Career Services staff with engagement and outreach initiatives to help maintain strong relationships and expand student opportunities.
- Present workshops and host tabling for students on resume development, interview techniques, and other llitch School Career Services tools, resources, and topics.
- Utilize Handshake to review and approve resumes, schedule appointments, promote events, and share information.
- Utilize office technology, including MS Outlook 365, Handshake, Xinspire, and other technology, to assist students with their career-related needs.
- Collaborate with office staff to develop and schedule events office events, resources, and programming.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
- Previous experience in a university career office.
- Experience with Handshake and mentorship software.
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work with a diverse student population.
- Reliable, innovative, and committed to working with a dedicated team of colleagues.
- Demonstrated excellence in organizational skills and time management.
School/College/Division:
H16 - School of Business Admin
Primary department:
H1608 - Business Admin Student Services (H1608)
Employment type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Academic/Faculty
Funding/salary information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum: TBD
- Salary hire maximum: TBD
Working conditions:
General office environment
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
University Counselor Assistant I, Ilitch Career Services in the Mike Ilitch School of Business
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced University Counselor Assistant I, Ilitch Career Services in the Mike Ilitch School of Business at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
The University Counselor Assistant I in the Mike llitch School of Business, llitch School Career Services, will report to the Director of llitch School Career Services. The individual in this position will collaborate closely with the llitch School Career Services staff and Director, assisting with career advising, mentor programs, and office programming.
Job Description:
- Provide support for the llitch School Career Services Mentor Program, including working with prospective and current students interested in finding a mentor.
- Provide career advising to Ilitch School of Business students and assist students with resume development, interview skills, job search strategies, and other professional development.
- Assist Career Services staff with engagement and outreach initiatives to help maintain strong relationships and expand student opportunities.
- Present workshops and host tabling for students on resume development, interview techniques, and other llitch School Career Services tools, resources, and topics.
- Utilize Handshake to review and approve resumes, schedule appointments, promote events, and share information.
- Utilize office technology, including MS Outlook 365, Handshake, Xinspire, and other technology, to assist students with their career-related needs.
- Collaborate with office staff to develop and schedule events office events, resources, and programming.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.
- Previous experience in a university career office.
- Experience with Handshake and mentorship software.
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work with a diverse student population.
- Reliable, innovative, and committed to working with a dedicated team of colleagues.
- Demonstrated excellence in organizational skills and time management.
School/College/Division:
H16 - School of Business Admin
Primary department:
H1608 - Business Admin Student Services (H1608)
Employment type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Academic/Faculty
Funding/salary information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum: TBD
- Salary hire maximum: TBD
Working conditions:
General office environment
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
University Development Counselor Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsUniversity Development Counselor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Grand Canyon Education43
- Wayne State University5
- ESF Camps4
- Outset3
- OU Health1
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in university development counselor jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, nonprofit management, or a related field
- Experience with donor management software such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate and steward relationships with individual donors
- Familiarity with annual fund strategies, direct mail, and digital giving campaigns
- Strong written communication skills including donor correspondence and gift proposals
- Ability to meet fundraising goals and manage a portfolio of prospective donors
Tips for Your University Development Counselor Job Search
Tailor your resume to giving programs
Highlight specific fundraising campaigns you supported, donor portfolios you managed, or giving programs you helped grow. Hiring committees in development offices look for direct experience with gift cultivation cycles, not just general relationship management or administrative work.
Quantify your donor engagement results
Development roles are outcome-driven, so translate your work into numbers where possible. How many donors did you steward? How many meetings did you secure? Concrete activity metrics strengthen your application even when you can't disclose gift amounts.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists university development counselor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your experience level and specialization and apply directly to each listing without sorting through unrelated postings.
Target postings by campaign type
Filter openings by whether they emphasize annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, or corporate and foundation relations. Each track rewards a different skill set, and tailoring your cover letter to the specific campaign focus shows fluency that generic applications miss.
Prepare a portfolio of stewardship materials
Bring writing samples to interviews: donor acknowledgment letters, impact reports, or case statements you drafted. Development offices evaluate communication quality closely, and showing polished materials sets you apart from candidates who only describe their work verbally.
Ask about the development team structure
During interviews, ask how the team is organized, whether counselors carry individual portfolios, and how performance is measured. This signals genuine interest in the role's scope and helps you assess whether the position aligns with the specialization you want to build.
University Development Counselor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most university development counselors?
The companies hiring the most university development counselors right now include Grand Canyon Education, Wayne State University, and ESF Camps, with the largest share of openings in Arizona, Michigan, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Openings are distributed across public universities, private colleges, and large nonprofit foundations.
How many university development counselor jobs are remote?
About 44% of university development counselor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting a shift toward flexible arrangements for roles focused on digital fundraising and annual giving. Major gifts and planned giving positions, which require in-person donor meetings, tend to remain on-site or require regional travel.
How do you become a university development counselor?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in a field like communications, public relations, or nonprofit management. Gain experience through volunteer fundraising, alumni engagement programs, or entry-level development assistant roles at a college or nonprofit. Build proficiency in donor management software, then move into a counselor role managing a prospect portfolio.
Can you get hired as a university development counselor with little experience?
Yes, many institutions hire entry-level development counselors who come from adjacent backgrounds such as academic advising, student affairs, or volunteer coordination. Demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, an understanding of the donor cycle, and experience with constituent relationship management tools can offset a limited direct fundraising history in your first application.
What does the university development counselor interview process look like?
Most processes begin with a phone screen focused on your relationship-building background and fundraising philosophy. A second round typically involves a panel interview with the development director and teammates, often including a writing or presentation exercise such as drafting a donor outreach letter. Final-round conversations may include a meeting with senior leadership or a campus visit.
Where can I find and apply to university development counselor jobs?
You can find and apply to university development counselor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from institutions and organizations across the United States. Search for roles that match your specialization and experience level, then apply directly to each listing from the same place without navigating multiple separate sites.
See All 64 University Development Counselor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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