Senior Director of Development
Listed on 2026-08-22
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Non-Profit & Social Impact
Fundraising / Charity, Community Health
POSITION TITLE:
Senior Director of Development
CLASSIFICATION:Exempt
STATUS:Full-Time
DEPARTMENT:Advancement
REPORTS TO:Vice President of Advancement
SUPERVISES:N/A
POSITION SUMMARY:Kentucky Wesleyan College seeks a collaborative, strategic, and relationship-driven fundraising professional to serve as Senior Director of Development. This leadership position is responsible for expanding philanthropic support through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and planned gift donors.
The Senior Director manages a portfolio of approximately 100-150 major gift prospects and donors, developing personalized engagement strategies that inspire transformational philanthropy. Working in partnership with Advancement colleagues, academic leadership, faculty, alumni, volunteers, and community stakeholders, this position advances the College's mission by securing significant philanthropic investments that support institutional priorities and student success.
The successful candidate is an experienced frontline fundraiser who combines strong relationship-building skills with strategic planning, data-informed decision-making, and a commitment to exceptional donor experiences. This position contributes to a culture of philanthropy through collaboration, innovation, accountability, and measurable fundraising outcomes.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:- Develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned gift prospects in support of Kentucky Wesleyan College's mission and strategic priorities.
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-150 major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on donor retention, upgrades, long-term engagement, and gifts of significant philanthropic impact.
- Conduct regular discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits with alumni, friends, parents, and community partners, utilizing data-informed moves management practices.
- Develop individualized donor engagement and solicitation strategies that align donor interests with institutional funding priorities and increase philanthropic support.
- Build and maintain a healthy major gift pipeline through prospect research, qualification, tracking, forecasting, and collaboration with Advancement colleagues.
- Partner with faculty, staff, and campus leaders to create meaningful donor engagement opportunities and strengthen relationships across the College community.
- Lead and support donor stewardship and recognition efforts, ensuring donors are meaningfully engaged, acknowledged, and informed about the impact of their philanthropy.
- Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to develop compelling donor communications, promote institutional impact, and share alumni, student, and donor success stories.
- Assist in the planning and execution of donor cultivation, stewardship, recognition, and advancement events.
- Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and prospect activity within the College's constituent relationship management system.
- Serve as a strategic partner to Advancement leadership by contributing to fundraising strategy, revenue growth initiatives, and best practices in donor engagement.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Advancement.
Bachelor’s degree; minimum of two years of experience in major gift fundraising preferably in an educational environment; a proven and verifiable track record of success in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:- Clear understanding of moves management in professional fundraising.
- Proven ability to successfully identify and build relationships with donors to connect their interests with opportunities in a higher education or other nonprofit organization.
- Basic understanding of planned gift concepts.
- A demonstrated ability to engage and effectively communicate with diverse audiences.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to persuasively articulate institutional impact and funding needs.
- Strong work ethic, self-awareness, and ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues…
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