Development Director* and Team Lead - School of Engineering 

Department: Lawrence Development

Reports to: Assistant Vice President for Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

The anticipated salary for this position starts at $124,100+ for the Development Director role and ranges up to $136,500+ for the Senior Development Director role. 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. 

*Note: This position will be filled at the Development Director or Sr. Development Director level, commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.
 

Development Director – At least five years of professional experience in higher education/healthcare fundraising. This may be substituted for seven or more years or professional experience in an area with strong similarities to development work. Major gift experience required. Must have success managing a diverse portfolio.
 

Sr. Development Director - At least ten years of professional experience in higher education/healthcare fundraising. This may be substituted for ten or more years of professional experience in an area with strong similarities to development work. Major gift experience required. Must have success managing a diverse portfolio.

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:

Full-time professional fundraising position responsible for the organization, implementation, and direction of a comprehensive development program for raising private gifts to The Kansas University Endowment Association in support of the School of Engineering and the University of Kansas. Provides assistance to appropriate University personnel and KU Endowment staff in the coordination, planning, and implementation of fundraising activities of the School of Engineering.

The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – passion for KU, partnership with donors, perpetual support for KU, and a people-centered approach – 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?

• Directs programs for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective and current major gift donors to the School of Engineering and the University of Kansas working with the dean, department chairs, KU Endowment officers and professional staff, University administrators, faculty, and volunteer leaders.
• Solicits major gifts ($50,000+), both outright and deferred, in support of the stated needs of the School of Engineering.
• Crafts and deploys a strategic operational plan – develops and implements both annual and long-range goals, objectives, and strategies to maximize private support for the School of Engineering, consistent with the overall plan of KU Endowment. As a team lead, candidates will demonstrate strong, seasoned, professional experience.
• Coordinates preparation and development of major gift proposals to School of Engineering prospects for presentation by the University Chancellor, the Dean of the School, KU Endowment staff, and volunteer leaders.
• Supervises the shared development assistant who provides administrative support for this constituent area.
• Manages, monitors and mentors two other professional fundraisers supporting the School of Engineering that are focused on strategic identification of prospects and timely and consistent movement through management stages (qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship).
• Position requires an extensive amount of time out of the office traveling to meet development goals, as well as attendance at events occurring outside of traditional business hours.
• Collaborate with Development Team Leads to identify and implement best practices, align strategies, and support clear communication across the broader Development team.
• Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position.
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Vice President for Development and other senior development staff.

What’s required to be considered:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• A minimum of five years of successful professional experience in major gift fundraising is required. Higher education fundraising experience is preferred.
• Prior management experience is also preferred, particularly experience coaching, mentoring, or supporting the professional growth of individual team members in a fundraising environment.
• Excellent written, oral, and communication skills and the ability to work independently, as well as part of a team, are essential. 
• Must possess the ability to independently initiate, organize and follow through with fundraising strategies. 
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision and exercise excellent judgement.
• Adept at using social media, text, phone, and video conferencing.
• Strong work ethic with a desire to continue to learn.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and fearless approach to portfolio building and relationship development.
• Willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone and embrace challenges. 
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and readiness to engage donors and alumni. 
• Skilled at navigating and using databases, familiarity with CRM systems, and entering contact reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships inside and outside KU Endowment.
• Ability to adapt to new procedures and technology.

What separates the best from the rest?

• Self-Motivated: You’re a go-getter who takes initiative and drives projects forward with enthusiasm and determination.
• Collaborative: You shine in a team setting. Whether with your colleagues, prospective donors, or campus partners, you’re always finding ways to combine efforts and maximize outcomes.
• Master Communicator: You have a knack for articulating compelling stories and connecting with donors on a deep level.
• Resilient: You stay positive and persistent, turning challenges into opportunities and never losing sight of the mission.
• Unwavering Integrity: You build trust through honesty, transparency, and the highest ethical standards.
• Growth Mindset: You embrace challenges, see setbacks as learning opportunities and consistently strive to grow in personal and professional endeavors.

Physical Requirements:

• 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, such as up to 40 pounds.
• Often travel requirements can include the following, evenings, weekends, and out of town overnights as a regular part of the job. 

KU Endowment is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job as regulated by ADA. If you require accommodation for any part of the application process or during employment, please contact humanresources@kuendowment.org to discuss your needs.

We’ve got you covered:

KU Endowment offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefit package including: 

• 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

Sounds good, right? What’s next?

Please include your resume and cover letter when applying for this position on our website at https://www.kuendowment.org/careers.

Questions regarding this vacancy may be addressed to:
 

Human Resources
KU Endowment
PO Box 928
Lawrence, KS 66044-0928
Email: humanresources@kuendowment.org
 

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.  Because of the sensitive nature of KU Endowment business and the importance of our reputation with donors, KU Endowment conducts a comprehensive review of applicants.  By submitting your application, you authorize us to conduct reference checks and a review of available public information.  Employment is contingent upon background and reference checks that KU Endowment finds acceptable.