Chief of staff director of campaign operations
Location
Lawrence, KS | United States
Job description
Full job description
Description:
Chief of Staff & Director of Campaign Operations
Department: Development
Reports to: President and Chief Development Officer (CDO)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Who we are and what we’re about:
KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization and the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. We partner with donors in providing philanthropic support to build a greater KU.
As an employee of KU Endowment, you’ll witness firsthand the power of our donors’ generosity. You will join a talented and fun group of people who are inspired to help KU through the support of loyal alumni and friends. This support fuels excellence, enabling students and faculty to develop innovative programs and research that distinguish the university. We connect the philanthropic passions of donors with the needs of students, faculty and programs – and everyone benefits.
People are engaged. Purpose is ignited. Lives are changed.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging:
At KU Endowment, we recognize that we best achieve our mission of building a greater University of Kansas by embracing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to cultivating a people-centered environment that is welcoming to the spectrum of differences among us in an atmosphere of respect and fairness. Accordingly, our staff, Board of Trustees, volunteers and donors will work together to create a more representative, equitable and inclusive KU Endowment.
What we are looking for:
Reporting to both the President and Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Chief of Staff & Director of Campaign Operations will exemplify the executives’ vision, sharpen their strategy, and support enterprise-wide execution of the Ever Onward campaign, KU Endowment strategic plan and special initiatives.
We seek a high-energy, relentlessly organized, servant-leader with proven collaborative skills. If you enjoy solving puzzles, connecting people and ideas, and supporting others’ excellence, this role may be for you. Direct experience and knowledge of philanthropy will be critical to understanding how best to embody the role as well as what questions to ask, when. We seek a self-starter with a strong operational and data analytical mindset who can shape organizational clarity out of ambiguity. It is possible, though, that you have transferable and relevant experience combined with a sharp wit, curious mind, and a drive to move organizations to a higher capacity for mission fulfillment. So, either we see the fit on your resume, or you convince us you have what it takes to be successful in the role.
You will work with two driven, high output leaders to build trust, transparency, effectiveness, and morale across the organization and with KU partners. We seek to exceed our $2.5 billion goal for the Ever Onward campaign and build ambitiously for the next campaign, so every step now is important. We welcome proactive, strategic counsel, and earnest, collaborative, consistent execution.
The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – passion for KU, partnership with donors, perpetual support for KU, and a people-centered approach – and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities.
What’s a typical day look like?
Chief of Staff Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide meaningful liaison with campus partners (KUAA, KU Athletics, KU Med, TUKHS, Provost, Lawrence campus, KU Center for Research) - increase collaborative planning, reduce duplication of efforts, ensure President & CDO appear at all appropriate events
- Monitor and manage calendars for President and CDO to ensure preparation for and meticulous follow-through on meetings: identification of objective, clarity on how to deliver value, debrief and coordination/management of next steps
- With Principal Gifts, craft, monitor, and prompt fundraising efforts of President and CDO – where appropriate, manage communications with donors they are working with as well as strategic focus on initiatives they are leading
- After initial period, a proven fundraiser may carry small and strategic portfolio to compliment campaign efforts in robust markets
- Maintain clear communication in ways that provide more time for President & CDO to achieve focused work and fundraising
- Lead the development and implementation of President and CDO communication strategies to ensure all messaging is timely, relevant, and affirms and advances the relationship
Campaign Operations Duties and Responsibilities
- With Development leads, Donor Engagement, Development Analytics, and IS, monitor and report on campaign performance and KPI’s: e.g., dollars in year over year and compared to previous campaigns, new donor acquisition, movement of prospects through major gift portfolios, effectiveness of Principal Gifts in identifying and supporting engagement of transformational donors. (Requires strong relationships with Annual Giving, Digital Experience, Major Gifts, Principal Gift, and Stewardship teams)
- Ensure semi-annual Impact Reports are delivered to Deans, working with Communications, Stewardship, and Development
- Ensure priority funding opportunities are updated and impact stories refreshed on campaign website and in staff-accessible database
- Monitor proposal system and improve as needed
- Provide campaign event support, including dean liaison, development team prep and follow-up
- Assist CDO to update, engage, support Steering and Development Committees
- Monitor and foster collaborations among all teams to support campaign – identify friction points and work toward solutions, whether interpersonal or operational
Strategic Plan Duties and Responsibilities
- Monitor and ensure execution of KU Endowment Strategic Plan. Serve as key liaison for ensuring progress toward the Strategic Plan and other prioritized strategic initiative’s measures and markers. Additionally, design and oversee a dynamic tracking and reporting tool built to serve and promote a matrixed organizational structure.
- Encourage innovative thoughts/ideas enterprise-wide, coordinate “smart experiments” to achieve and maximize Plan outcomes
- Develop and executive collaborative plans for continuous improvement that foster an environment of creativity, innovation, and program growth/development
- With Communications, effectively communicate strategy and plans throughout the organization, framing clear strategic choices, driving alignment, and building consensus to ensure achievement
- Provide institutional “glue” – help people come together
- Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position
- Performs other duties as may be assigned
Requirements:
What’s required to be considered:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field required
- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in major gift focused, higher education fundraising, with demonstrated success in a leadership level position
- Successful experience supporting leadership and fundraising staff in executing strategic initiatives
What separates the best from the rest?
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with both internal and external partners
- Ability to utilize background, experience and decision-making skills necessary to work effectively within the broad KU community
- Ability to independently initiate, organize and follow through with strategic initiatives and campaign goals and encouraging accountability
- Excellent project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously
- Familiarity with the dynamics and challenges of university changes
- Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with utmost confidence
- Strong analytical and data interpersonal skills
- Ability to collaborate with cross functional teams
- Familiarity with donor engagement and stewardship practices
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Physical Requirements:
- Valid motor vehicle license
- Ability to:
- Speak
- Hear
- Sit
- See
- Operate office equipment
- Travel locally
- Travel nationally
- Lift up to 40 pounds
We’ve got you covered:
KU Endowment offers a competitive salary with an excellent benefit package including:
- 100% employer-paid pension plan
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) and Roth 401(k) matching program
- Section 125 flexible benefits
- Generous paid leave including holidays, personal and sick leave
- Volunteer and community engagement opportunities
- Paid Parental Leave
- Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance
- Legal & ID Theft protection
- Critical Illness
- Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance
- KU education assistance
- Free parking
Sounds good, right? What’s next?
Please include your resume and cover letter when applying for this position on our website at
Questions regarding this vacancy may be addressed to:
Charo Kelley
Director, Development Talent Acquisition, Culture & Belonging Lead
KU Endowment
PO Box 928
Lawrence, KS 66044-0928
Email: [email protected]
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Because of the sensitive nature of KU Endowment business and the importance of our reputation with donors, KU Endowment conducts a comprehensive review of applicants. By submitting your application, you authorize us to conduct reference checks and a review of available public information. Employment is contingent upon background and reference checks that KU Endowment finds acceptable.
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