Assistant Director, Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement

Position Overview

Western Kentucky University seeks an Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement to join its frontline fundraising team. This is an entry-level gift officer position designed to launch and develop the next generation of advancement professionals, and is well-suited for recent graduates or individuals with up to two years of related experience.

The Assistant Director will manage an assigned region and a portfolio of leadership annual giving donors, focusing on gifts in the $1,000 - $5,000 range while developing the skills and relationships to advance select prospects toward major gifts ($25,000+). This position offers mentorship, professional development, and a clear pathway for growth within WKU's Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement team.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership Annual Gift Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of current, lapsed, and prospective leadership annual donors, securing gifts of $1,000?$5,000 while identifying and advancing prospects with major gift potential ($25,000+).
• Execute strategic, multi-channel outreach (email, phone, social, video, and text) to build relationships and drive consistent donor engagement.
• Solicit new, renewed, and upgraded gifts through personalized, donor-centered conversations aligned with individual interests and giving history.
• Identify and troubleshoot challenges to donors' online giving and engagement experience and work with appropriate colleagues to address.
• Responsible for raising $125,000 annually through leadership annual gift activity.
• Identify donors with major gift potential ($25,000+) and collaborate with and advance prospects to senior gift officer colleagues as appropriate.

Regional Assignment

• Manage an assigned region, serving as the primary WKU philanthropy and alumni engagement representative for all constituents within that area.
• Represent all WKU giving areas, programs, and priorities within the assigned region, serving as a comprehensive ambassador for the university's philanthropic mission.
• Conduct regular outreach and travel within the territory to cultivate relationships, qualify prospects, and deepen donor engagement through in-person visits and regional events.
• Develop and maintain a broad knowledge of WKU programs, colleges, and initiatives to share relevant opportunities and demonstrate the impact of giving to constituents in the territory.

Portfolio & Relationship Management

• Promote philanthropic opportunities including university and college giving priorities, crowdfunding projects, Day of Giving, and alumni association membership.
• Share upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, alumni association activities, and engagement pathways with donors to deepen their connection to WKU and lead to financial support.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor interactions, strategies, and outcomes in the university's donor management system.
• Collaborate effectively with Philanthropy, Strategic Operations & Appeals, Alumni Engagement, and Donor Engagement & Communications teams as part of a comprehensive multi-channel fundraising program.
• Maintain division core values: positivity, accountability, and excellence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Essential for Success

• Comfortably solicit donors at the leadership annual giving level, with a growing ability to navigate major gift conversations.
• Articulate a strong and compelling case for philanthropic support, connecting university priorities to individual donor interests.
• Use multiple cloud-based platforms simultaneously to gain information and manage donor relationships.
• Create strong professional relationships across mediums, especially via video conferencing and in-person engagement.
• Provide excellent customer service and maintain a donor-centered approach throughout all interactions.
• Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking while exercising sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity.
• Handle interpersonal relationships maturely, thoughtfully, and empathetically, including the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.
• Be fluent in the "menu" of engagement and philanthropic opportunities across the university to inform conversations and solicitations.
• Prioritize effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders and competing deadlines.

Physical Work Requirements

• Continuous work at a computer with multiple monitors.
• Constant contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise).
• Exposure to moderate noise, i.e. work colleagues, business office with computers, phones, and printers.
• Regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required; may require occasional weekend and evening work.
• Regular requirement to work under strict deadlines.
• Travel required for donor visits and regional assignment coverage.

• Bachelor's Degree
• 0-2 years of fundraising, sales, relationship management, or related experience. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

Salary: $46,100

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Institutional Equity. To request an accommodation, report a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Ms. Ena Demir, Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator via email at ena.demir@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-6867. Ms. Demir is also responsible for coordinating the University's response to complaints related to sex and gender harassment. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's https://www.wku.edu/titleix/ website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php

For information related to job postings, please email employment@wku.edu.