Associate Director, Pipeline Development

Department: Donor Engagement
Reports to: Director, Donor Engagement
FLSA Status: Exempt
 
The anticipated salary for this position starts at $76,900+. The final pay will be determined based on several factors, including qualifications, experience, education, and years within the job or industry, with a strong emphasis on maintaining internal equity.
 
Who we are and what we’re about:
KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization and the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas.  We partner with donors in providing philanthropic support to build a greater KU.

As an employee of KU Endowment, you’ll witness firsthand the power of our donors’ generosity.  You will join a talented and fun group of people who are inspired to help KU through the support of loyal alumni and friends.  This support fuels excellence, enabling students and faculty to develop innovative programs and research that distinguish the university.  We connect the philanthropic passions of donors with the needs of students, faculty and programs – and everyone benefits.

People are engaged. Purpose is ignited.  Lives are changed.
 
What we are looking for:

The Associate Director, Pipeline Development or Pipeline Development Team Lead is a key leader in KU Endowment’s efforts to create a seamless and intentional donor journey—from first-time supporters to principal gift partners. Serving as a “player-coach,” this position is responsible for overseeing the Pipeline Development Program, leading a team of Donor Engagement Officers, and managing a portfolio of their own encompassing leadership annual giving, major gift, and strategic discovery outreach for principal gift suspects and prospects.  
 
A central aspect of this role is partnering closely across the Donor Engagement team and with the Major Gift Development staff, to align outreach strategies, donor communications, and segmentation efforts ensuring a cohesive experience that nurtures long-term philanthropic relationships. Through collaboration and shared insight, these partnerships strengthen the top of the donor funnel and drive sustainable growth across all giving levels. 
 
This role is designed for a highly strategic thinker and team builder who understands the full donor continuum and embraces innovative, data-informed engagement methods. The Team Lead will be charged with cultivating a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and excellence, ensuring every donor interaction whether through digital engagement, personalized outreach, or discovery meetings—reflects the values and vision of KU.  
 
The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – collaboration, curiosity, empowerment, and excellence – and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities. 
 
Hybrid Work Environment: 

Following the initial training period, this position offers a hybrid work schedule, with the flexibility to work remotely for part of the week. However, the role requires multiple days per week on-site at our Lawrence, KS office to ensure effective collaboration, team engagement, and alignment with organizational goals. 
 
What’s a typical day look like?

• Lead and manage a high-performing team of Donor Engagement Officers (DXOs), providing mentorship, direction, and support to foster professional development, ensure accountability to performance metrics, strategic workflow, and drive donor engagement outcomes. 

• Implement and manage annual development plans and productivity reports to measure team progress and inform strategic adjustments. 

• Oversee and maintain accurate records and documentation of donor interactions, outreach efforts, and team activity within the donor management systems. 

• Collaborate with the Donor Engagement, Data Lead  to utilize data and insights to identify donor segments, inform targeting strategies, and optimize portfolio assignments across the donor continuum. 

• Participate in the strategic development and continuous evolution of the Pipeline Development Program, integrating modern fundraising workflows, personalized outreach tactics, and digital engagement strategies. 

• Monitor and evaluate industry trends and peer benchmarks to ensure KU Endowment remains a leader in pipeline development and donor experience. 

• Donor Engagement Collaboration: Partner with Donor Engagement colleagues to align acquisition, retention, stewardship, events, communications, and recognition strategies that deepen relationships with donors and ensure a cohesive, meaningful engagement experience across the donor lifecycle.
• Major Gift Collaboration: Work closely with Major Gift Officers and development teams to support the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors by aligning engagement strategies, coordinating touchpoints, and ensuring meaningful donor experiences that advance philanthropic priorities.

• Maintain and cultivate a personal portfolio of donors and prospects, with a focus on securing leadership annual gifts, building a regional major gift pipeline, engaging un-engaged principal gift prospects or suspects, and advancing donor relationships toward increased giving. 

• Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position. 

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

• Bachelor’s?degree?required.? 
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, or a related field, preferably within higher education or a nonprofit environment. 
• Preferred experience supervising or mentoring staff. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel;  
• Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), marketing or engagement platforms (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud), and project management tools (e.g., Salesforce), preferred. 

• Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships inside and outside KU Endowment. 

• Ability to adapt to new procedures and technology. 

• Acts as a catalyst for change, challenging conventional thinking and advocating for unconventional approaches when necessary. 

• An entrepreneurial spirit and a track record of turning innovative ideas into successful outcomes. 

• Proficient in data analysis and skilled in interpreting human behaviors derived from data. 

• Comprehensive grasp of both annual giving and major gift principles. 

• Must exhibit the ability to be well-organized and follow through on tasks. 

• Exemplifies sound judgment, operates effectively with minimal oversight with an achievement-oriented attitude. 

• Ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity with confidence. 

• A collaborative mindset that fosters a team culture where the value of each and every donor matters. 

• Enthusiastically committed to ongoing learning and personal growth.

• A valid driver’s license.  
• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple locations for training, donor meetings, networking, events and/or work-related activities. 
• Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards. 
• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office productivity machinery such as computers, keyboards and a mouse, laptops, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.  
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary. 
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). 
• The person in this position frequently communicates with donors, colleagues, students, and general public. Must be able to communicate with others effectively. 
• Physical effort/lifting: light-up to 20 pounds 
• Rare travel requirements can include the following, evenings, weekends, and out of town overnights as a regular part of the job.  

• 100% employer-paid pension plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) matching program
• Section 125 flexible benefits
• Generous paid leave including holidays, personal and sick leave
• Volunteer and community engagement opportunities
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance
• Legal & ID Theft protection
• Critical Illness
• Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance
• KU education assistance
• Free parking