Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement

Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the third largest public four-year institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 16,293 students and nearly 2,612 faculty and staff employees. Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community.

At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities. Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY – a city with approximately 70,000 residents.

Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home. Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life.

Paid‑time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green /about.

• Manage a portfolio of current, lapsed and prospective leadership annual giving donors. Cultivate relationships with these donors via email, phone, social media, video conferencing and texting.
• Execute touchpoint cadences across portfolio to ensure consistent and relevant donor communication.
• Identify and troubleshoot challenges to donors' on‑line giving and engagement experience and work with appropriate colleagues to address.
• Solicit donors to make new gifts, renew or upgrade. Promote philanthropic opportunities, such as university and college giving opportunities, crowdfunding projects, Day of Caring and alumni association membership.
• Responsible for raising $250,000 – $500,000 annually.
• Identify potential major gift prospects and collaborate and advance to colleagues, as appropriate.
• Collaborate effectively with other members of the Philanthropy, Strategic Operations & Appeals, Alumni Engagement and Donor Engagement & Communications teams as part of a comprehensive multi‑channel marketing program.
• Develop and maintain broad knowledge and network of contacts across the university, such as admissions, athletics, colleges and programs, for additional information and relevant content to share with donors, as well as demonstrate the impact of their giving. Share upcoming opportunities to attend events, volunteer, participate in alumni association activities/services, or otherwise deepen their engagement with the university, to lead to financial support.

• Use multiple cloud‑based platforms simultaneously to gain information.
• Create strong professional relationships across mediums, especially via video conferencing.
• Comfortably solicit donors.
• Articulate a strong and compelling case for support.
• Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking, while applying 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 (regional alumni events, on campus events, mentorship and volunteer opportunities, crowdfunding campaigns, fundraising priorities) to inform conversations and solicitations.

• Continu…