Development Officer

Kansas-State-University-Foundation; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 75,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with company contribution

Paid holidays and generous leave

Tuition & certification assistance

Wellness program stipend

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Kansas State University Foundation is seeking a driven sales and relationship-building professional to lead major gift fundraising in support of the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.

The role focuses on prospecting, presenting proposals, and cultivating donor partnerships with a mission to advance engineering education and research. Location is onsite in Manhattan, KS, with responsibilities spanning donor engagement, travel, and strategic collaboration with campus teams to meet ambitious

Qualifications

• 2+ years of full-time experience in metrics-driven roles, with a track record of building relationships.
• Experience conducting face-to-face meetings, presenting materials, and closing deals in major gifts.
• Excellent communication, persuasive presentation, and active listening skills.
• Drive to meet metrics and work collaboratively in a team.

Responsibilities

• Proactively reach out to potential donors through calls and visits, qualifying prospects and cultivating relationships.
• Strategically present and solicit major gifts ($50,000+) through fundraising proposals.
• Manage multiple donor relationships and travel to meet donors face-to-face.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop strategies for meaningful major gift fundraising.
• Keep activity documented and outcomes measurable, stewarding donors at every stage.

Skills

Relationship building

Sales experience

Face-to-face meetings

Communication skills

Active listening

Metrics-driven

Job description

Description

Compensation: $75,000-82,000 annually

Regular, Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Manhattan, KS (onsite only)

Our Promise to You

• Competitive health, dental, life insurance, plus voluntary benefits including company paid HSA contributions
• 403(b) retirement plan with 10% company contribution
• Paid leave for holidays, vacation, wellness, personal, parental, and volunteer
• Tuition and certification assistance and a $300 annual reimbursement wellness program
• A work environment that embraces flexibility inside of a framework
• Mission-driven work that changes the lives of people around the world
• View more benefits on our website or click here!

Are you a skilled sales professional, account manager, or relationship builder looking to channel your talents into something truly meaningful? At the Kansas State University Foundation, we unite purpose-driven work and pioneering strategy to create careers that matter. Put your people skills and drive to work in major gift fundraising, where you help advance engineering education, innovation, and research that prepare the next generation of K-State graduates to develop solutions to society's most complex challenges and shape our increasingly technological world.

Why Make the Move?

If you thrive in sales, account management, or similar roles, your strengths directly translate to success in major gift fundraising. Here, you'll leverage those essential client management skills, prospecting, relationship building, presenting proposals, and exceeding goals, to inspire and connect a network of passionate K-State alumni and donors for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, who are invested in advancing cutting-edge research, fostering innovation, supporting future engineering leaders, and creating opportunities for students to gain the hands‑on experiences and resources needed to make a lasting impact on the world.

What You’ll Do

• Proactively reach out to potential donors through calls and visits, qualifying prospects and cultivating relationships—just like in sales, but with a focus on legacy, not transactions.
• Strategically present and solicit major gifts ($50,000+) through effective major gift fundraising proposals.
• Manage multiple robust client (donor) relationships and regularly travel to meet face-to-face.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to develop strategies for meaningful major gift fundraising.
• Keep all activity documented and outcomes measurable, recognizing and stewarding donors at every stage.

Requirements

What We Value

Bring your success from sales, account management, or client service into an organization where your abilities will shine in major gift fundraising:

• 2+ years of full-time experience in metrics-driven roles, requiring measurable output and a track record of building relationships
• Experience conducting face-to-face meetings, presenting materials, and closing deals—in this case, fostering impactful major gift fundraising partnerships
• Excellent communication, persuasive presentation, and active listening skills
• Drive to meet metrics, self-motivation, and the willingness to work as part of an inspiring and collaborative team

Ready for a Career Move with Purpose?

If you’re passionate about building relationships and hitting targets, imagine what you could achieve in major gift fundraising. Transform your sales or account management skills into a rewarding career that changes lives at K-State and beyond.

Join us—apply your talents and ambition to a higher-purpose team that thrives on innovation, impact, and excellence in major gift fundraising.