Director of Development (Title Commensurate with Experience)

EKU Careers; Richmond (KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is seeking fundraising professionals to join the Development & Alumni Engagement team in Richmond, Kentucky. The role covers a full gift cycle—from identification to stewardship—across multiple seniority levels.

Final title, portfolio size, and compensation will be based on experience and qualifications. The position is full time and exempt, with responsibilities including major gift cultivation, donor engagement, and cross-unit collaboration.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree is required; Master's degree preferred (Senior Director/Director).
• Experience: senior/dir levels require 5+ years; director 3 years; associate 1 year; assistant director is entry-level in development.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward major gifts ($25,000+); travel for donor visits and alumni events.
• Collaborate between Development and Alumni Engagement and colleges/units.
• Input call reports into CRM and perform administrative duties.

Skills

Donor relations

Major gifts fundraising

Portfolio management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

CFRE certification

Job description

Title: Assistant, Associate, Director or Senior Director of Development

Position Type: Fulltime Staff

Search Type: External - minimum 7 days

Department: 81R000 - University Development

Division: 7R0000 - Development

Position Location: Richmond Campus

Driver Classification: University Driver

FLSA: Exempt

Schedule Type: Full Time (37.5 hrs per week or more)

Posted Salary Grade: Exempt - G22

Retirement: KTRS

Contact Person: Sean Hamilton

Job Summary/Basic Functions

EKU Development & Alumni Engagement is seeking a fundraising professional to join our team. This position manages a portfolio of prospects and donors, working across the full gift cycle — identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship — to secure philanthropic support for university priorities.
This is a broad title covering four levels of seniority. Candidates at all experience levels are encouraged to apply; the final title, portfolio size, and compensation will be determined based on the successful candidate's experience and qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Senior Director/Director: Bachelor's degree is required. Master's degree and CFRE preferred.
• Associate Director: Bachelor's degree is required. Master's degree preferred.
• Assistant Director: Bachelor's degree is required.

Experience

• Senior Director: More than five years of related work experience is required, preferably in development, alumni relations, non-profit fundraising, or higher education administration. Major gift and higher education experience are preferred.
• Director: Three years of related work experience is required, preferably in development, alumni relations, non-profit fundraising, or higher education administration. Major gift and higher education experience are preferred.
• Associate Director: One year of related work experience is required, preferably in development, marketing, sales, alumni relations, non-profit fundraising, or higher education.
• Assistant Director: Related work experience is not necessary; however the incumbent must clearly demonstrate an interest in a professional career in development. This may be accomplished through experience interning, volunteering, or being otherwise engaged in the non-profit sector.

Job Duties

• 85% - Cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward major gifts ($25,000 and greater) by engaging a portfolio of prospects, including frequent travel for donor visits and alumni events. - (Essential)
• 10% - Collaborate between the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement and any assigned colleges, schools, units and/or programs. - (Essential)
• 5% - Complete other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, inputting call reports into CRM, and other administrative duties. - (Essential)

Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Funding Source

Institutional

Open Until Filled

Yes

EEO Statement

Eastern Kentucky University is an Equal Opportunity employer and educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, ethnicity, disability, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information in the admission to, or participation in, any educational program or activity (e.g., athletics, academics and housing) which it conducts or any employment policy or practice.

Background Check Statement

Offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.