Senior Associate Vice President of Central Development

Kansas State University Foundation; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunities for professional growth

Access to top-tier prospects

Cultural focus on innovation and integrity

Job summary

A leading educational foundation in the United States seeks a Senior Associate Vice President of Central Development to provide executive leadership and strategic oversight. This role is pivotal in driving fundraising strategies and managing donor relationships. The ideal candidate has over 10 years in higher education fundraising and proven success in closing major gifts. Join us to make a lasting impact on the community and students.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in higher education fundraising or similar nonprofit environments.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing teams across departments.
• Proven success in cultivating and closing six- and seven-figure gifts.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level leadership and strategic oversight to assigned units.
• Collaborate to design and refine fundraising strategies.
• Manage donor relationships for high-capacity prospects.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Strategic oversight

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, or related field

Job description

Senior Associate Vice President of Central Development

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Our mission-driven work meets innovative strategy to create careers that matter. As K‑State’s strategic partner in philanthropy, we connect passionate alumni and donors to bold opportunities that transform lives.

What You’ll Do

• Provide executive‑level leadership and strategic oversight to assigned units.
• Collaborate with leadership to design and refine fundraising strategies, driving engagement, accountability, and recognition.
• Lead special initiatives, bringing together cross‑campus teams, to support interdisciplinary fundraising or innovation‑focused projects.
• Manage and/or support donor relationships within a portfolio of high‑capacity prospects, based on needs and campaign priorities.
• Serve as a strategic lead for the Principal Gift Workgroup (PGW), guiding the cultivation and solicitation of major and principal gifts, while supporting donor strategy development.

Management

• Directly manage leaders of leaders and people leaders for Universitywide, Gift Planning, and Corporate and Foundation Relations units.
• Serve as a strategic liaison for the KSU Vice President of Research.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and a growth mindset by coaching performance, empowering employees, and encouraging accountability to achieve bold philanthropic goals.
• Build organizational commitment and foster collaboration through adaptable leadership, approachability, and effective change management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, business administration, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in higher education fundraising or similar complex nonprofit environments.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing leaders of people across various departments, and the ability to inspire teams, while providing and receiving constructive feedback.
• Proven success cultivating, soliciting, and closing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts and meeting fundraising goals.
• Communicate effectively with leadership across complex organizational structures, while analyzing multifaceted situations to develop strategic, tailored solutions.

What We Want

• Industry related certification (e.g., CFRE).
• Experience in gift planning, corporate development and foundation relations.
• High energy and a passion for the mission of the KSU Foundation.

A Strategic Advancement Environment Built for Impact

• Access to top‑tier prospects and a strong donor base.
• A culture that values innovation, integrity, and impact.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• The chance to make a lasting difference in the lives of students, faculty, and the broader community.

If you’re an innovative and strategic leader ready to make an impact, we invite you to become our next Senior Associate Vice President of Central Development — and help shape the future of philanthropy at the Kansas State University Foundation.

Seniority Level

Executive

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Management, Sales, and Other

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