Director of Development

Position Title: Director of Development
Department: Office of Advancement
Reports To: Vice President for Advancement
Location: Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro, KY
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Summary

The Director of Development is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic support for Kentucky Wesleyan College. This position will manage a portfolio of annual and major gift prospects, support annual giving strategies, and contribute to building a strong culture of philanthropy among alumni, parents, and friends of the College. The Director of Development is an essential member of the Advancement team and plays a key role in achieving fundraising goals and advancing the mission of Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of prospective donors with the capacity to make annual and major gifts; conduct regular outreach to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.
• Lead or support College annual giving programs, including phonathon, digital and direct mail campaigns, and giving day initiatives.
• Create and implement individualized solicitation strategies aligned with donor interests and College priorities.
• Conduct meaningful donor visits, both in-person and virtual, with a goal of meeting or exceeding annual activity and fundraising metrics.
• Prepare clear donor correspondence, proposals, call reports, and stewardship communications.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues on events, recognition activities, and communications that enhance donor engagement and retention.
• Represent the College at campus and community events, demonstrating professionalism and enthusiasm for the mission.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous experience in fundraising, phonathon/engagement center operations, annual giving, or related development roles.
• Demonstrated experience cultivating relationships and asking for financial support (annual or major gifts).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-starter who is resourceful, organized, and goal-driven.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• A commitment to the mission and values of Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education advancement or a nonprofit fundraising environment.
• Familiarity with donor database systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar CRM).
• Understanding of donor stewardship best practices and moves management strategies.

Work Environment & Expectations

• This role will require some evening or weekend work for events or donor engagement.
• Occasional travel is expected, primarily within the region.

Application: Please use the link to apply via ADP with a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=ea140efe-1732-44c1-829b-3174a0374cac&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=14539&lang=en_US&source=CC2