Kansas City University Director of Philanthropy

The Director of Philanthropy assists in the establishment and attainment of fundraising and alumni participation goals. Maintains a portfolio of major and planned gift donors, focusing on five-figure gifts and above and developing long-term relationships built on a firm understanding of donors’ interests which match the strategic goals of the university. 

Within your application materials, please include the following documents:
*CV/Resume
*Letter of interest (cover letter)

If you have challenges attaching multiple documents, please email them to Angela Howard in HR: ahoward@kansascity.edu

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Manage a portfolio of 125 donors and prospects, developing and implementing effective strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Conduct regular face-to-face meetings, calls, and correspondence with donors to build relationships, understand their philanthropic interests, and secure philanthropic support for KCU
• Create a plan with individual goals for each donor that will serve as a foundational communication and marketing plan for each person in the portfolio. Faithfully and on a timely basis execute that plan so that individuals in the portfolio are retained and upgraded
• Embrace and promote a culture of philanthropy; encourage and support a philanthropic mindset among colleagues and donors, fostering a culture of gratitude, giving, and impact
• Work with program and the university relations staff to secure appropriate project information, including project budgets, and create offers, proposals and asks that will inspire greater giving
• Maintain donor records that accurately reflects moves management activity, alumni affinity and ultimately reflect staff performance toward goals
• Collaborate closely with Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement colleagues in increasing support from alumni through alumni reunions, donor events, annual giving and stewardship campaigns
• Stay informed about current trends, best practices, and emerging strategies in philanthropy, bringing innovative ideas to enhance KCU's fundraising efforts
• Perform other major donor activities as may be required

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent
• Master’s degree preferred
• Proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, or related fields, preferably in direct fundraising/ solicitation
• Experience working in Higher Education or Healthcare development preferred Minimum Requirements:
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of philanthropic culture, principles, and ethics
• Excellent communication (written/verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Communicates verbally and non-verbally with diplomacy and tact
• Demonstrated confidence and experience in public speaking
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Able to work effectively and diplomatically with all constituents: alumni, senior administration and staff, deans and faculty, students, visitors, and donors
• Excellent planning and organizational skills and detail-oriented
• Self-motivated, self-disciplined, able to tolerate ambiguity, sense of humor, and produce high-quality results
• Ability to set priorities, adapt to changing needs, meet deadlines, while balancing multiple projects and attaining goals
• Effective leadership attributes and demonstrated competence in leading peers to optimal levels of performance and goal attainment
• Drives performance by holding self and others accountable for achieving goals
• Provides timely, direct, and relevant feedback
• Working knowledge and proficiency in database management. Raiser’s Edge preferred
• Creative ideas and be resourceful in meeting the needs of constituents
• National/Regional travel as needed
• Manages change
• Inspires and motivates others
• Clearly and consistently demonstrates KCU’s mission, vision, and values in words and actions
• Solves problems and makes decisions
• Holds frequent development discussions with measurable goals and outcomes
• Provides information to donors and other University stakeholders (internal and external) in a timely manner

Interested candidates should email Angela Howard at ahoward@kansascity.edu

Full job description available here: https://kansascity.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Jobs/job/Director-of-Philanthropy_R-0002106