Description
Director of Development for Athletics
Kansas City Athletics & UMKC Foundation
Purpose: The Director of Development - Athletics will serve as a gift officer for Kansas City
Athletics.
Organizational Relationship: The Director of Development - Athletics has a primary reporting
relationship with the Assistant Vice President and a secondary reporting relationship with the
Director of Athletics.
Essential Duties:
Prepare and implement strategies to attain development goals and objectives.
Conduct proactive discovery work to identify, qualify, and cultivate new prospects, with a focus
on expanding the pipeline of annual fund and major gift donors to support Kansas City Athletics.
Assist with alumni relations efforts designed to strengthen engagement and support pipeline
development for future philanthropic and programmatic opportunities
Develop strong relationships with key constituents to increase major gifts for Kansas City
Athletics.
Manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors with capacity to give $1,000 or
more.
Meet or exceed annual performance goals, including substantive interactions with current and
prospective donors, gift proposals, and production income.
Effectively employ the Assistant Vice President, Director of Athletics, Deputy Directors of
Athletics, and other appropriate staff and leadership volunteers as a partner in strategy
development, donor cultivation, and solicitation.
Work with prospect research staff to evaluate and prioritize donor prospects.
Ensure the communications and marketing efforts of Kansas City Athletics are coordinated with
development and alumni efforts.
Work as part of a supportive team of advancement and fundraising professionals.
Collaborate with UMKC Foundation leadership and advancement colleagues to ensure operational
needs are met.
Key Attributes
Creative and strategically minded
High degree of personal integrity, discretion, and confidentiality
Ability to value and utilize data analytics in decisions
Demonstrated ability to manage interpersonal relationships
Excellent communication skills, articulate speaker, and skilled writer
Ability to meet goals and objectives
Effective organizational and marketing skills
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Familiarity with database computer systems, including CRM databases, Microsoft Office, and other
desktop applications
Education and Experience: A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years of successful development
experience with a strong preference for experience in athletics development or a similar role in
intercollegiate athletics.
Knowledge of:
Major gifts moves management, annual and planned giving, as well as corporate and foundation
fundraising.
Administrative principles and practices, including goalsetting, program development,
implementation and evaluation.
Rules, regulations, and procedures related to development and intercollegiate athletic
activities.
Proposal and grant writing techniques and strategies
Supervisory Controls
Incumbent must have a high level of independence in accomplishing the responsibilities of the
position. Goals, priorities, and major projects are reviewed and discussed on an on- going basis
with the Assistant Vice President and Kansas City Athletics leadership.
Guidelines are provided by the goals and objectives of the position, by fundraising strategies and
techniques, by stewardship guidelines, and by the goals of the UMKC Foundation and the mission of
the University. Confidentiality and discretion are mandatory.
Environmental Demands
This position does not require unusual physical ability. Little physical exertion is involved,
although considerable pressures exist; the ability to handle tension and stress in a positive
manner is required. No risks or discomforts are imposed upon this position by the physical
surroundings or job situation. Occasional travel, frequent evening and weekend work are required. A
valid driver’s license is required.
Salary Hiring Range: $80,000 to $90,000 per year, Commensurate with education, experience, and
internal equity.
Work Status: Full Time, benefit eligible staff position with UMKC Foundation. Flexible schedules
and telework arrangements will be available.
UMKC: The University of Missouri Kansas City is located in the heart of Kansas City, one mile from
the famed KC Plaza District. Kansas City is home to the Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, KC
Chiefs, KC Royals, Sporting KC, and is home to world renowned BBQ. Rich in diversity, culture, and
sports, UMKC is a traditional university with a host of professional schools located in a robust
urban setting.
About the UMKC Foundation: The UMKC Foundation is a separate but affiliated enterprise that is
devoted to raising funds for the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and for exercising fiduciary
responsibility over endowments and other philanthropic investments made to UMKC. If interested,
please use link below to apply.
Kansas City Athletics: The Kansas City Roos are Kansas City’s only Division 1 University boasting
fourteen sports and more than 250 student-athletes. With 30 plus conference championships and four
Olympians, our student-athletes are not only successful on the playing field, but they are also
leaders in the classroom with a cumulative GPA of 3.42 and provide more than 2,000 hours of
community service.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties
and functions of this job. If you believe you may have difficulty performing any of the duties or
functions of this job, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (816) 235-1323.
UMKC Mission and Vision Our Mission
To foster a culture that inspires philanthropy to achieve university priorities. Our Vision
To be the valued and trusted partner that inspires, enlists and unites philanthropic support for
Kansas City’s premier urban university.
Our Promise
Unite donors and dreams
Operate with Integrity
Value our Team
Deliver Excellence
Requirements
Education and Experience: A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years of successful development experience with a strong preference for experience in athletics development or a similar role in intercollegiate athletics.
Knowledge of:
Major gifts moves management, annual and planned giving, as well as corporate and foundation fundraising.
Administrative principles and practices, including goalsetting, program development, implementation and evaluation.
Rules, regulations, and procedures related to development and intercollegiate athletic activities.
Proposal and grant writing techniques and strategies
