Assistant Vice President, Development at Kansas University Endowment Association – Lawrence, Kansas

Assistant Vice President, Lawrence Development

Department: Lawrence Development

Reports to: Vice President, Lawrence Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

The anticipated salary for this position starts at $175,000+. The final pay will be determined based on several factors, including qualifications, experience, education, and years within the job or industry, with a strong emphasis on maintaining internal equity.

Who we are and what we’re about:

KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization and the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. We partner with donors in providing philanthropic support to build a greater KU.

As an employee of KU Endowment, you’ll witness firsthand the power of our donors’ generosity. You will join a talented and fun group of people who are inspired to help KU through the support of loyal alumni and friends. This support fuels excellence, enabling students and faculty to develop innovative programs and research that distinguish the university. We connect the philanthropic passions of donors with the needs of students, faculty and programs – and everyone benefits.

People are engaged. Purpose is ignited. Lives are changed.

What we are looking for:

Reporting to the Vice President for Lawrence Development, the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Lawrence Development serves in a key leadership role in advancing KU Endowment’s mission by fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and donor-centered development team.

This position oversees a portfolio of units and is responsible for mentoring directors, cultivating a strong team culture, and driving strategic fundraising initiatives aligned with university priorities. The AVP translates vision into systems that enhance consistency, accountability, and campaign readiness, while serving as a trusted partner to academic leaders across campus.

This role is ideal for a leader who thrives in a people-centered environment and is energized by building the conditions for others to succeed. As a critical connector between KU Endowment and the university, the AVP ensures that philanthropic strategy is aligned, impactful, and responsive to institutional needs. The AVP plays a central role in equipping the development team to meet the demands of the next campaign.

What’s a typical day look like?

40% – Team Leadership & Culture Building

Supervise, mentor, and coach development directors across assigned units (School of Engineering, School of Law, School of Journalism, School of Music, and the Lied Center) to ensure clear goals, regular feedback, and accountability.

Promote and lead initiatives that strengthen a high-performing, collaborative, accountable, and celebratory team culture. Focus areas include shared purpose, psychological safety, and a culture of learning and respect.

Partner with the Vice Presidents of Lawrence and Medical Development and peer AVPs to ensure consistency in staff experience across teams and managers. Collaborate across KU Endowment’s development enterprise to align practices, culture, and donor experience in support of the university’s highest philanthropic priorities.

Support career development through coaching, career planning, and tailored growth opportunities.

25% – High-Impact Fundraising & Strategic Initiatives

Manage a portfolio of select major and principal gift donors and prospects, with an emphasis on transformational giving that advances university priorities.

Directly lead and partner with peer AVPs and development colleagues to coordinate collaborative multi-unit fundraising efforts that advance the university’s shared themes and strategic priorities.

Contribute to donor strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Represent KU Endowment in donor meetings and events to strengthen relationships, visibility, and fundraising outcomes.

20% – Operational Support & Strategic Alignment

Translate strategic direction into systems and tools that enhance team performance, consistency, and accountability.

Lead the development and upkeep of standard operating procedures, training programs, and internal resources that support the development team.

Monitor progress toward goals, identify opportunities for process improvement, and ensure operational alignment with campaign readiness.

Sustain key organizational initiatives—including supervision frameworks and performance systems—to ensure continuity and cohesion across teams.

15% – University & Campus Partnerships

Build and sustain strategic, trust-based relationships with deans, chairs, and key academic leaders.

Serve as a philanthropic consultant to campus partners, helping identify and shape opportunities that align unit priorities with donor interests and institutional goals. Provide strategic guidance that reflects deep knowledge of philanthropic strategy and supports academic leaders in making informed, mission-driven decisions.

Coach development directors to engage academic leaders as strategic partners, equipping them to navigate complex priorities and provide credible, mission-aligned philanthropic guidance.

Ensure consistency in how development staff across units build and maintain campus relationships, promoting shared expectations and a unified approach to philanthropic advising.

Facilitate regular communication between KU Endowment and university stakeholders to maintain transparency, alignment, and shared progress.

Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position. Performs other duties as may be assigned.

What’s required to be considered:

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in fundraising, advancement, or development, preferably within higher education or a complex nonprofit environment.
• Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing major and principal gifts, including gifts of $1 million or more.
• Proven experience supervising and mentoring high-performing teams, including frontline fundraisers.
• Strong track record of building strategic partnerships with academic leaders or senior stakeholders.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Experience leading or contributing to a comprehensive campaign.
• Familiarity with university advancement structures, donor strategy, and campaign readiness.
• Experience working across multiple units or schools within a university setting.

Skills and Abilities Requirements:

• Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships inside and outside KU Endowment.
• Ability to adapt to new procedures and technology.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills, with a commitment to building high-performing, collaborative teams.
• Strategic thinking and operational acumen, with the ability to translate vision into systems that drive consistency and accountability.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust-based relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Strong emotional intelligence and diplomacy in managing complex relationships.
• Deep understanding of donor strategy, major gift fundraising, and philanthropic advising.
• Ability to manage complexity, align cross-functional efforts, and support campaign readiness.

What separates the best from the rest?

• Self-Motivated: You’re a go-getter who takes initiative and drives projects forward with enthusiasm and determination.
• Collaborative: You shine in a team setting. Whether with your colleagues, prospective donors, or campus partners, you’re always finding ways to combine efforts and maximize outcomes.
• Master Communicator: You have a knack for articulating compelling stories and connecting with donors on a deep level.
• Resilient: You stay positive and persistent, turning challenges into opportunities and never losing sight of the mission.
• Unwavering Integrity: You build trust through honesty, transparency, and the highest ethical standards.
• Growth Mindset: You embrace challenges, see setbacks as learning opportunities and consistently strive to grow in personal and professional endeavors.

Physical Requirements:

• A valid driver’s license.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple locations for training, donor meetings, networking, events and/or work-related activities.
• Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards.
• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office productivity machinery such as computers, keyboards and a mouse, laptops, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• The person in this position frequently communicates with donors, colleagues, students, and general public. Must be able to communicate with others effectively.
• Physical effort/lifting is limited - up to 40 pounds
• Light travel required on occasion.
• KU Endowment is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job as regulated by ADA. If you require accommodation for any part of the application process or during employment, please contact humanresources@kuendowment.org to discuss your needs.

We’ve got you covered:

• KU Endowment offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefit package including:
• 100% employer-paid pension plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) matching program
• Section 125 flexible benefits
• Generous paid leave including holidays, personal and sick leave
• Volunteer and community engagement opportunities
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance
• Legal & ID Theft protection
• Critical Illness
• Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance
• KU education assistance
• Free parking

Sounds good, right? What’s next?

Please include your resume and cover letter when applying for this position on our website at https://www.kuendowment.org/careers.

Questions regarding this vacancy may be addressed to:

Human Resources
KU Endowment
PO Box 928
Lawrence, KS 66044-0928
Email: humanresources@kuendowment.org

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Because of the sensitive nature of KU Endowment business and the importance of our reputation with donors, KU Endowment conducts a comprehensive review of applicants. By submitting your application, you authorize us to conduct reference checks and a review of available public information. Employment is contingent upon background and reference checks that KU Endowment finds acceptable.erence checks that KU Endowment finds acceptable.