Senior Director of Development, Pharmacy & Nursing / Health Studies and Executive Director, Pharmacy Foundation - UMKC Foundation

About the role

The Senior Director of Development, Pharmacy & Nursing / Health Studies, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Pharmacy Foundation, leads the fundraising activities of the UMKC School of Pharmacy (SOP), Pharmacy Foundation, and the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS).

Serving as the liaison between the School of Pharmacy, the Pharmacy Foundation, and UMKC Advancement and Foundation, the Senior Director of Development will develop fundraising strategies based on the schools’ priorities as well as identify and secure major gifts (more than $25,000) from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Executive Director of the Pharmacy Foundation and provide guidance, vision, and direction to the Pharmacy Foundation Board via strategic planning, financial oversight, fund management and board/volunteer management.
• Prepare and implement strategies to attain development goals and objectives; while this work must be independently driven, it should also be part of the fundraising team’s collaborative process.
• Develop and propose solicitation strategies for major gifts, including cultivating relationships, identifying purposes and levels of gifts, and coordinating those involved in solicitations.
• Manage a portfolio of current and prospective donors with capacity to give $25,000 or more.
• Qualify and cultivate prospective donors for multiple units.
• Ensure clear and transparent communication with stakeholders (deans, foundation chair, volunteers) regarding fundraising efforts.
• Network with alumni, donors, and community organizations.
• Collaborate with advisory boards, faculty, and support staff to promote a culture of philanthropy.
• Achieve annual goals for donor interactions, proposals, and net production.
• Ensure the communications and marketing efforts of the unit are coordinated with development and alumni efforts.
• Collaborate with alumni relations staff, internal SOP and SONHS staff, university leadership, faculty and other support staff to encourage team spirit and culture of philanthropy.
• Work with UMKC, Foundation, and Advancement operations staff to support fundraising operations and enhance donor satisfaction.
• Integrate the major gifts program with those of annual giving and alumni relations.
• Travel nationally as needed for donor visits.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree and five years of experience in fundraising or related field are required.
• Management of volunteer board or committees from a comparably complex organization.

Qualifications

• Experience with higher education or a comparably complex organization and CFRE designation preferred.
• Master’s degree in a related field of study.

Skills

• Ability to understand the needs and interests of major donors in order to develop relationships between them and the University.
• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the University’s fundraising priorities through developing excellent working relationships with faculty, senior academic leaders, trustees and other volunteers, and UMKC Advancement and Foundation’s team.
• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas.
• Ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and alter strategic fundraising plans.
• Ability to articulate the case for support so that individuals understand and invest in the vision/mission/goals of the University and the School to secure gifts and pledges of $25,000 or more.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical and organization skills required.
• Knowledge of tax laws that impact charitable giving, personal assets and estates a plus.

Benefits

This position significantly affects the success of the UMKC Foundation. Effective leadership in this role impacts UMKC’s ability to meet its goals and provide the best possible education and conduct life-changing research.

Pay

Salary range: Commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Full-time, benefits eligible staff position. 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. While the position maintains standard business hours, the work is driven by constituent engagement rather than a fixed schedule. Candidates must be comfortable managing their time independently, balancing office and off-site responsibilities, and adjusting their schedules to meet organizational and constituent needs. Success requires strong personal accountability, excellent judgment, and a commitment to achieving results.

UMKC Advancement and Foundations’ Valued Attributes

• Integrity: Build trustworthy relationships based on the highest ethical standards by using clear, authentic communications.
• Resilient: Display the energy and stamina to embrace the challenges and ambiguity of fundraising while maintaining self-confidence, humility, and a sense of purpose.
• Expert Communicator: Express self in a manner that creates a deep and meaningful connection with others and empathize with constituents or colleagues using sound judgment and diplomacy.
• Collaboration: Provide expert analytical and problem-solving skills to all projects and meet the needs of the group with sound judgment, attention to details, ability to consistently meet deadlines and be expert in written and oral communications.
• Leadership: Strategically manage and wisely adjudicate competing priorities. Be willing to mentor and motivate those around you. Embrace innovative solutions with excitement and tenacity.

Application Materials

To be considered for the position, you must provide your resume/cv with appropriate attachments directly to UMKC Foundation at the link below: Apply Now. The Foundation is a separate organization outside of the university. Do not apply to the posting available on the university careers page. All application materials must be submitted directly to the Foundation to be fully considered.

Other Information

• If you are interested in helping grow the culture of philanthropy that supports UMKC, please send your cover letter and resume, submissions and/or inquiries to: contact@umkcfoundation.org.
• The UMKC Foundation is a separate but affiliated enterprise devoted to raising funds for the university and for exercising fiduciary responsibility over endowments and other philanthropic investments made to UMKC.
• To learn more about UMKC Foundation, visit umkcfoundation.org.
• The UMKC Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
• To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.