University of Kentucky
College Philanthropy Director Senior
🇺🇸
Lexington, KY
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$96K - $163K
💻
Development & Advancement
🗓️
July 8th, 2026
Edtech.com's Summary
University of Kentucky is hiring a Senior Director of Philanthropy - Research. The role involves leading fundraising efforts for the Office of the Vice President for Research, managing donor portfolios, developing major and principal gift initiatives, and collaborating with leadership to meet fundraising goals and secure new support.
Highlights
- Lead and manage all philanthropic initiatives for the Office of the VP for Research.
- Develop and implement short- and long-term fundraising strategies, focusing on major and principal gifts.
- Manage a diverse donor portfolio including individuals, foundations, and corporations.
- Oversee donor stewardship, recognition, proposal preparation, and reporting activities.
- Collaborate closely with the Vice President for Research, AVP Philanthropy, UK Research executive team, and senior staff.
- Required qualifications include a Master's degree and at least 7 years of related experience.
- Experience with major gift fundraising, planned giving expertise, and fundraising strategy leadership preferred.
- The position includes supervisory responsibilities.
- Salary range: $95,826 to $162,947 per year.
- Work hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some evenings and weekends as needed, and travel across the U.S. is required.
College Philanthropy Director Senior Full Description
College Philanthropy Director Senior
Posting Details
Job Title | College Philanthropy Director Senior
Requisition Number | RE55024
Working Title | Senior Director of Philanthropy - Research
Department Name | 14000:Office Of Philanthropy
Work Location | Lexington, KY
Grade Level | 51
Salary Range | $95,826-162,947/year
Type of Position | Staff
Position Time Status | Full-Time
Required Education | MA
Click here for more information about equivalencies: | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience | 7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification | None
Physical Requirements | Sit at computer desk for extended periods of time. Travel across the U.S. to meet with college donors and alumni.
Shift | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday -Friday with evenings and weekends as needed.
Job Summary
The University of Kentucky Office of the Vice President for Research in partnership with the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement seeks to hire a Senior Director of Philanthropy to lead the fundraising efforts for the Office of the VP for Research (UKVPR’s Office). The Senior Director will be responsible for managing and actively participating in all philanthropic initiatives related to the UKVPR’s Office including donor portfolio management inclusive of the broadest constituency of philanthropic relationships to include individuals, foundations and corporations. The incumbent will lead the UK Office of Vice President’s vision for sustained and future growth underwritten, in part, by philanthropic giving and will develop and implement plans to reach and sustain that vision. This position will co-report to the Vice President for Research and the AVP Philanthropy, Executive Director UKREF, Inc., working closely and in partnership with the UK Research executive team and senior staff to meet ambitious fundraising goals and activate support in pursuit of those goals.
The Senior Director of Philanthropy will be responsible for creating, tailoring and activating short- and long-term strategies for giving, with emphasis on: developing and expanding of an individual major and principal gift effort identifying and securing new support for the key initiatives developing a robust donor portfolio. Additionally, they will oversee donor stewardship activities, recognition efforts for existing donors, preparation of all aspects of proposals, and reporting.
The Office of the VP for Research strives to create and nurture a culture of giving among our stakeholders, strengthen relationships with donors and prospective donors, and think creatively about new funding opportunities. We are looking for candidates with significant experience relevant to the above who can share strategic fundraising knowledge with a capable, engaged staff and leadership team, and help shape fundraising strategy well into the future.
The culture within the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) is built on our shared core values CoMMIT– Collaboration, Communication, Mission Driven, Mutual Respect, Innovation and Transparency.
By applying for a position within UK PAE, you are indicating your commitment and expressing your agreement to our six values. It is important you share these values to be part of our committed team!
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities | The ideal candidate will be a strong, collaborative leader with a proven record of success with foundations and corporations in addition to building and sustaining relationships that foster major/principal gift giving. This position requires an individual who understands person-to-person relationships and has the ability to convincingly articulate the vision and priorities of the Research areas and University and match them to the interests of prospective donors. Familiarity with charitable gift arrangements as well as demonstrated experience in marketing, philanthropic messaging and persuasive writing is also desirable.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? | Yes
Preferred Education/Experience | Experience should be comprised of professional fundraising such as being a major gift officer, expertise in planned giving, and a demonstrated record of developing and leading a fundraising strategy.
Deadline to Apply | 07/28/2026
Our University Community | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Requisition Number | RE55024
Working Title | Senior Director of Philanthropy - Research
Department Name | 14000:Office Of Philanthropy
Work Location | Lexington, KY
Grade Level | 51
Salary Range | $95,826-162,947/year
Type of Position | Staff
Position Time Status | Full-Time
Required Education | MA
Click here for more information about equivalencies: | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience | 7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification | None
Physical Requirements | Sit at computer desk for extended periods of time. Travel across the U.S. to meet with college donors and alumni.
Shift | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday -Friday with evenings and weekends as needed.
Job Summary
The University of Kentucky Office of the Vice President for Research in partnership with the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement seeks to hire a Senior Director of Philanthropy to lead the fundraising efforts for the Office of the VP for Research (UKVPR’s Office). The Senior Director will be responsible for managing and actively participating in all philanthropic initiatives related to the UKVPR’s Office including donor portfolio management inclusive of the broadest constituency of philanthropic relationships to include individuals, foundations and corporations. The incumbent will lead the UK Office of Vice President’s vision for sustained and future growth underwritten, in part, by philanthropic giving and will develop and implement plans to reach and sustain that vision. This position will co-report to the Vice President for Research and the AVP Philanthropy, Executive Director UKREF, Inc., working closely and in partnership with the UK Research executive team and senior staff to meet ambitious fundraising goals and activate support in pursuit of those goals.
The Senior Director of Philanthropy will be responsible for creating, tailoring and activating short- and long-term strategies for giving, with emphasis on: developing and expanding of an individual major and principal gift effort identifying and securing new support for the key initiatives developing a robust donor portfolio. Additionally, they will oversee donor stewardship activities, recognition efforts for existing donors, preparation of all aspects of proposals, and reporting.
The Office of the VP for Research strives to create and nurture a culture of giving among our stakeholders, strengthen relationships with donors and prospective donors, and think creatively about new funding opportunities. We are looking for candidates with significant experience relevant to the above who can share strategic fundraising knowledge with a capable, engaged staff and leadership team, and help shape fundraising strategy well into the future.
The culture within the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) is built on our shared core values CoMMIT– Collaboration, Communication, Mission Driven, Mutual Respect, Innovation and Transparency.
By applying for a position within UK PAE, you are indicating your commitment and expressing your agreement to our six values. It is important you share these values to be part of our committed team!
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities | The ideal candidate will be a strong, collaborative leader with a proven record of success with foundations and corporations in addition to building and sustaining relationships that foster major/principal gift giving. This position requires an individual who understands person-to-person relationships and has the ability to convincingly articulate the vision and priorities of the Research areas and University and match them to the interests of prospective donors. Familiarity with charitable gift arrangements as well as demonstrated experience in marketing, philanthropic messaging and persuasive writing is also desirable.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? | Yes
Preferred Education/Experience | Experience should be comprised of professional fundraising such as being a major gift officer, expertise in planned giving, and a demonstrated record of developing and leading a fundraising strategy.
Deadline to Apply | 07/28/2026
Our University Community | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * The Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) recognizes a set of values that guide us in our daily interactions. These values are collaboration, communication, mission driven, mutual respect, innovation and transparency. Please choose one of the PAE values and give a specific example when you exhibited this quality in your professional experience.
(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
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