Location: Bowling Green, KY
Category: Staff
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Mon Apr 27 2026
Job Description:
Position Overview
Western Kentucky University seeks an Associate Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement to serve as an experienced frontline fundraiser on its gift officer team. This position is designed for a more seasoned relationship builder with a demonstrated track record in fundraising or a related field.
The Associate Director will manage an assigned region and a portfolio of major and leadership annual gift donors, with a focus on securing gifts of $25,000 and above in support of WKU's strategic priorities. This role demands a high degree of initiative, donor-centered thinking, and the ability to independently manage a complex portfolio while contributing to the broader success of the Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement team.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Major & Leadership Gift Fundraising
- Manage a portfolio of current, lapsed, and prospective donors with a focus on securing major gifts ($25,000+), cultivating and advancing relationships through individualized strategies tailored to each donor's philanthropic interests and capacity.
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Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each prospect, utilizing in-person visits, video conferencing, phone, and written communications.
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Solicit major and leadership gifts in support of university priorities, including endowed funds, named scholarships, program support, and special initiatives.
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Steward existing donors through meaningful, mission-centered engagement including impact reporting, recognition, and ongoing communication that reflects their investment in WKU's mission.
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Responsible for raising $250,000?$500,000 annually through major and leadership gift activity.
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Identify and advance major gift prospects across the broader university portfolio in collaboration with colleagues
Regional Assignment
- Serve as the primary WKU philanthropy and alumni engagement representative for an assigned region.
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Represent all WKU giving areas, programs, and priorities, serving as a comprehensive ambassador for the university's philanthropic mission.
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Conduct regular regional travel to cultivate relationships, qualify prospects, and strengthen donor engagement through visits and events.
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Develop and maintain broad knowledge of WKU programs and initiatives to connect constituents with meaningful opportunities for impact.
Portfolio & Relationship Management
- Execute touchpoint cadences across portfolio to ensure consistent and relevant donor communication via email, phone, social media, video conferencing, and texting.
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Identify and troubleshoot challenges to donors' online giving and engagement experience and work with appropriate colleagues to address.
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Promote philanthropic opportunities including university and college giving priorities, crowdfunding projects, Day of Giving, and alumni association membership.
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Share upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, alumni association activities, and engagement pathways with donors to deepen their connection to WKU and lead to increased philanthropic support.
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Maintain accurate and timely records of all donor interactions, strategies, and outcomes in the university's donor management system.
Cross-Unit Collaboration
- Collaborate effectively with Philanthropy, Strategic Operations & Appeals, Alumni Engagement, and Donor Engagement & Communications teams as part of a comprehensive multi-channel fundraising program.
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Develop and maintain a broad network of contacts across the university ? including admissions, athletics, colleges, and programs ? to identify engagement opportunities and demonstrate the impact of giving.
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Serve as a mentor and resource for junior gift officer colleagues, sharing best practices in donor engagement, regional outreach, and solicitation strategy.
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Maintain division core values: positivity, accountability, and excellence.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Essential for Success
- Comfortably solicit donors for major and leadership gifts, with the ability to navigate complex conversations involving significant financial commitments.
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Articulate a strong and compelling case for philanthropic support, connecting university priorities to individual donor values and philanthropic goals.
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Use multiple cloud-based platforms simultaneously to gain information and manage donor relationships.
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Create strong professional relationships across mediums, especially via video conferencing and in-person engagement.
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Provide excellent customer service and maintain a donor-centered approach throughout all stages of the gift cycle.
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Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking while exercising sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity.
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Handle interpersonal relationships thoughtfully and empathetically, including the ability to work with individuals from varied backgrounds.
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Handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.
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Be fluent in the "menu" of engagement and philanthropic opportunities across the university to inform conversations and solicitations.
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Navigate and build relationships within a complex organizational environment, working effectively across multiple university units and stakeholder groups.
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Prioritize effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders and competing deadlines.
Physical Work Requirements
- Continuous work at a computer with multiple monitors.
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Constant contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise).
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Exposure to moderate noise, i.e. work colleagues, business office with computers, phones, and printers.
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Regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
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Regular, predictable attendance is required; may require occasional weekend and evening work.
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Regular requirement to work under strict deadlines.
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Travel required for donor visits and regional assignment coverage.
Job Requirements:
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Bachelor's Degree
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At least two years of fundraising experience, or equivalent experience in a related field such as sales, business development, client relationship management, financial services, or nonprofit work.
Career changers with a strong record of relationship-building and results in a transferable field are encouraged to apply.
Additional Information:
Salary Range: $55,300 - $60,000
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].
