University of Kentucky
College Philanthropy Director Associate
University of Kentucky, Frankfort, Kentucky, United States
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College Philanthropy Director Associate
role at
University of Kentucky
Posting Details
Job Title: College Philanthropy Director Associate
Requisition Number: RE52579
Working Title: Director of Philanthropy - Lewis Honors College
Department Name: 14000: Office Of Development
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 48
Salary Range: $62,941-103,834/year
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: BA
Required Related Experience: 7 years
Required License/Registration/Certification: None
Physical Requirements: Ability to travel for meetings and conferences.
Shift: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (with some evenings and weekends)
Deadline to Apply: 01/04/2026
Job Summary Managed jointly by the UK Philanthropy Office and the Lewis Honors College, the Philanthropy Director Associate (Director of Philanthropy) serves as the lead fundraiser dedicated to advancing the mission, vision, and priorities of the Lewis Honors College. With a primary focus on major gift fundraising at higher giving levels, this position is responsible for building and managing a robust portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, developing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies, and engaging in progressively more sophisticated philanthropic conversations with individuals of significant capacity. The Director will be expected to maintain an active schedule of meaningful donor visits, generate strong proposal activity, and sustain a healthy pipeline of future philanthropic support.
As a key member of the Dean’s senior leadership team, the Director of Philanthropy provides strategic counsel on all matters related to philanthropy in the Lewis Honors College. The incumbent will be actively engaged in the daily life of the college’s philanthropic activity by collaborating with associate deans, faculty, staff, and college administration to align fundraising efforts with academic and student success initiatives, and managing a volunteer philanthropy leadership council to deepen engagement and advocacy. This role is ideal for a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser who is inspired by high-achieving students and eager to secure transformative support that shapes the future of the Lewis Honors College.
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.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities The ideal candidate will be a strong, collaborative leader with a proven record of success in building and sustaining relationships that foster major 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 College and University and match them to the interests of prospective donors. Familiarity with planned giving, charitable gift arrangements, and demonstrated experience in marketing, philanthropic messaging, and persuasive writing are also desirable. The candidate should have experience managing and developing a fundraising team in an accountable, metrics-based environment.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
University Community – Equal Opportunity Statement 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.
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College Philanthropy Director Associate
role at
University of Kentucky
Posting Details
Job Title: College Philanthropy Director Associate
Requisition Number: RE52579
Working Title: Director of Philanthropy - Lewis Honors College
Department Name: 14000: Office Of Development
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 48
Salary Range: $62,941-103,834/year
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: BA
Required Related Experience: 7 years
Required License/Registration/Certification: None
Physical Requirements: Ability to travel for meetings and conferences.
Shift: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (with some evenings and weekends)
Deadline to Apply: 01/04/2026
Job Summary Managed jointly by the UK Philanthropy Office and the Lewis Honors College, the Philanthropy Director Associate (Director of Philanthropy) serves as the lead fundraiser dedicated to advancing the mission, vision, and priorities of the Lewis Honors College. With a primary focus on major gift fundraising at higher giving levels, this position is responsible for building and managing a robust portfolio of major gift donors and prospects, developing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies, and engaging in progressively more sophisticated philanthropic conversations with individuals of significant capacity. The Director will be expected to maintain an active schedule of meaningful donor visits, generate strong proposal activity, and sustain a healthy pipeline of future philanthropic support.
As a key member of the Dean’s senior leadership team, the Director of Philanthropy provides strategic counsel on all matters related to philanthropy in the Lewis Honors College. The incumbent will be actively engaged in the daily life of the college’s philanthropic activity by collaborating with associate deans, faculty, staff, and college administration to align fundraising efforts with academic and student success initiatives, and managing a volunteer philanthropy leadership council to deepen engagement and advocacy. This role is ideal for a strategic, relationship-driven fundraiser who is inspired by high-achieving students and eager to secure transformative support that shapes the future of the Lewis Honors College.
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.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities The ideal candidate will be a strong, collaborative leader with a proven record of success in building and sustaining relationships that foster major 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 College and University and match them to the interests of prospective donors. Familiarity with planned giving, charitable gift arrangements, and demonstrated experience in marketing, philanthropic messaging, and persuasive writing are also desirable. The candidate should have experience managing and developing a fundraising team in an accountable, metrics-based environment.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
University Community – Equal Opportunity Statement 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.
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