As a Certified Great Place to Work, organizational culture and employee engagement is important to us. We strive to harness your talents and build upon your strengths. We offer resources for professional growth so team members can find their purpose, a path to grow, ways to add value and thrive. Work alongside passionate, caring and talented people who trust and challenge one another in our intentional pursuit to be the best.

We are seeking a Director of Foundation Relations to join our team! This position is responsible for organizing, planning, and managing foundation giving. The Director focuses on the identification, stewardship, and solicitation of major foundation donors, with an emphasis on regional and national foundations. They work closely and collaboratively with all stakeholders to enhance the support for Kansas State University’s strategic priorities. Current or previous work experience fundraising with regional and national foundations is required.

A day in the life of a Foundation Relations Officer could be:

• Execute the strategic plan for growing private foundation support.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit foundation prospects for the institution's strategic priorities.
• Develop strong working relationships with research faculty and potential donors.
• Provide grant writing support to assist in proposal submission to strategically identified foundations and corporations.
• Collaborate with internal partners to build educational marketing and communication materials that illustrate giving opportunities for potential foundation benefactors.

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years professional experience in metrics focused positions requiring measurable output and relationship building with regional and national foundations
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and persuasively with a diverse client base
• Experience calling, conducting face-to-face appointments, managing relationships, creating, and presenting proposals, and other fundamental elements of client/donor relationship or sales-related activities
• Demonstrated communications and interpersonal skills focused on engaged listening, and success working in a team setting
• A valid motor vehicle operator’s license with an acceptable driving record

What we want:

• Strong track record with major grants
• Ability to prioritize and organize sophisticated projects and plans to deliver results
• Ability to meet timelines and follow through on projects
• Solid understanding of development techniques and systems based on previous experience
• Driven and hard working
• Passion and enthusiasm for the University and mission of the Foundation

Commitment to Inclusion & Belonging:

The Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for all employees to succeed by creating an

environment that is inclusive and draws upon the strength of the diverse backgrounds and personal experiences

of our team.

Employees cultivate a supportive, welcoming, inclusive, and equitable work environment that allows everyone

to feel connected to the organization’s mission and contribute to their full potential.

Travel:

• Significant travel required

Work location:

• Manhattan, Kansas

Why work at Kansas State University Foundation?

• A strengths-based, engagement-focused and performance-oriented culture
• A work environment that embraces flexibility inside of a framework
• Mission-driven work that changes the lives of people around the world
• Competitive benefits package including health, dental, company paid life insurance, and a variety of voluntary benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan with 10% company contribution
• Company paid HSA contributions
• Paid leave including vacation, sick, personal and volunteer
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave
• Paid holidays
• Tuition and certification assistance
• Paid, ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Access to extensive online library of technical and soft skill courses through LinkedIn Learning
• $300 annual wellness program reimbursement
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Adoption assistance program
• An onsite 24/7 access fitness center