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Director of University Development
Position Description
Director of University Development
Purpose: The Director of University Development serves as a frontline major gift officer responsible for securing philanthropic support for university wide priorities and strategic initiatives. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, this position works across all academic units, centers, and programs to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects whose interests span multiple areas of the university.This role will focus significantly on proactive donor discovery and pipeline expansion, building relationships with alumni and friends nationwide. The Director will collaborate with deans, academic leaders, advancement colleagues, and campaign leadership to align donor interests with high priority institutional needs. As a member of the UMKC Foundation development team, this position plays a critical role in strengthening the culture of philanthropy across the university.
Organizational Relationships: The Director of University Development reports to Assistant Vice President, and works closely with campaign leadership, deans, unit leaders, and fellow Development Directors. This role serves as a connector across schools, colleges, athletics, and university level initiatives.
Essential Duties:
- Develop and implement comprehensive fundraising strategies to achieve established goals and objectives in support of university wide priorities.
- Manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors with capacity to give $25,000 or more, with emphasis on discovery, qualification, and pipeline growth.
- Conduct substantive outreach and face to face visits nationwide to cultivate new and existing relationships.
- Identify, qualify, and develop new major gift prospects in partnership with Prospect Research and Advancement Services.
- Prepare and present compelling proposals aligned with institutional priorities and donor interests.
- Collaborate closely with unit-based Development Directors to coordinate strategy when donor interests intersect with specific schools or programs.
- Engage campaign and university leadership, including the President, Chief Advancement Officer, Assistant Vice President, and academic leaders, as partners in cultivation and solicitation strategy.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor strategy, contacts, proposals, and activity in the CRM.
- Partner with stewardship, communications, annual giving, alumni engagement, and special events teams to ensure coordinated and strategic donor engagement.
- Assist with major gift coverage during transitions or periods of vacancy within unit portfolios as needed.
- Participate in campaign strategy discussions and contribute to enterprise-wide fundraising planning.
- Demonstrated experience in moves management from identification through stewardship.
- Proven ability to build relationships across complex organizations and with diverse external constituencies.
- Strong discovery orientation with the ability to open doors and create new philanthropic pathways.
- Ability to operate strategically in an environment where priorities may evolve.
- Executive presence and confidence engaging senior leaders, volunteers, and high-capacity donors.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development.
- Ability to analyze and utilize data to inform strategy and portfolio management.
- High degree of personal integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
- Ability to work independently while functioning as part of a highly collaborative advancement team.
Preferred experience: Experience in higher education or a comparably complex organization and includes fundraising management, major gift solicitations and planned gift solicitation. Knowledge, understanding and experience working with corporate and foundation donors and familiarity with the characteristics of a comprehensive university.
Salary Range: $80,000 – $90,000 per year, Commensurate with education, experience, and internal equity.
Work Status: Full Time, benefit eligible staff position with UMKC Foundation. Flexible schedules may be available after 90 days and manager approval.
Supervisory Controls: The incumbent must exercise a high degree of independence. Goals, priorities, and performance metrics are reviewed on an ongoing basis with the Director of Campaign & University Development.
Guidelines: Guidelines are provided by the goals and objectives of the position, by fundraising strategies and techniques, and by the goals of the UMKC Foundation and the mission of the University. Confidentiality and discretion are mandatory.
Complexity: The ability to interact comfortably, tactfully, and effectively with varied internal and external constituencies is essential. This role requires comfort operating across multiple academic and programmatic areas without exclusive unit ownership. The ability to navigate ambiguity, coordinate competing priorities, and maintain alignment among various stakeholders is essential.
Scope and Effect: This position has a significant impact on expanding the university’s major gift pipeline and strengthening national donor engagement. Success in this role directly supports campaign priorities and university wide strategic initiatives.
Environmental Demands: Frequent national travel is required, along with evening and occasional weekend work. The position involves minimal physical exertion but requires the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
About the UMKC Foundation: The UMKC Foundation is a separate but affiliated enterprise devoted to raising funds for the university and for exercising fiduciary responsibility over endowments and other philanthropic investments made to UMKC.
If you are interested in helping grow the culture of philanthropy that supports UMKC, please send your cover letter and resume to: contact@umkcfoundation.org Position will remain open until filled.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and functions of this job. If you believe you may have difficulty performing any of the duties or functions of this job, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (816) 235-1323.
Know Your Rights
To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:
Know Your Rights English Version
Know Your Rights Spanish Version
UMKC Mission and Vision
Our Mission
To foster a culture that inspires philanthropy to achieve university priorities.
Our Vision
To be the valued and trusted partner that inspires, enlists and unites philanthropic support for Kansas City’s premier urban university.
Our Promise
- Unite donors and dreams
- Operate with Integrity
- Value our Team
- Deliver Excellence
Job Type: Full Time
Salary Range: $75,000 - 99,999
