College Philanthropy Director Associate

College Philanthropy Director Associate – Inside Higher Ed

Working Title: Director of Philanthropy - Lewis Honors College

Requisition Number: RE52579

Department: Office Of Development

Location: Lexington, KY

Grade Level: 48

Salary Range: $62,/year

Type Of Position: Staff

Position Time Status: Full-Time

Required

Education:

BA

Required Related

Experience:

7 years

Physical Requirements: Ability to travel for meetings and conferences.

Shift: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (with some evenings and weekends)

Final date to receive applications: 01/18/2026

Managed jointly by the UK Philanthropy Office and the Lewis Honors College, the Philanthropy Director Associate serves as the lead fundraiser dedicated to advancing the mission, vision, and priorities of the Lewis Honors College. With a primary focus on major gift fundraising at higher giving levels, this position is responsible for building and managing a robust portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, developing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies, engaging in increasingly sophisticated philanthropic conversations with individuals of significant capacity, maintaining an active schedule of meaningful donor visits, generating strong proposal activity, and sustaining a healthy pipeline of future philanthropic support.

As a key member of the Dean’s senior leadership team, the Director provides strategic counsel on all matters related to philanthropy, collaborates with associate deans, faculty, staff, and college administration to align fundraising efforts with academic and student success initiatives, and manages a volunteer philanthropy leadership council to deepen engagement and advocacy. The role is ideal for a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser inspired by high-achieving students and eager to secure transformative support that shapes the future of the Lewis Honors College.

The culture within the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) is built on our shared core values CoMMIT (Collaboration, Communication, Mission Driven, Mutual Respect, Innovation, Transparency). By applying for a position within UK PAE, you signify commitment to our six values.

The ideal candidate will be a strong, collaborative leader with a proven record of success in building and sustaining relationships that foster major gift giving. Understanding of person-to-person relationships, ability to convincingly articulate the vision and priorities of the College and University and match them to prospective donors, familiarity with planned giving, charitable gift arrangements, and experience in marketing, philanthropic messaging, and persuasive writing are desirable.

Experience managing and developing a fundraising team with accountability-based metrics is required.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? – No

for more information about equivalencies: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./equivalencies

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. The University of Kentucky follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources, which may include a national background check and/or drug screen.