Senior Director of Events and Donor Experience

Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE) is looking to hire a dynamic, organized, and self-motivated individual as the Senior Director of Events and Donor Experience on our Stakeholder Engagement team. As the Senior Director of Events and Donor Experience, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the vision, strategy, and successful execution of engagement-focuses events and stewardship at all levels with the overall donor experience. This position will focus on developing and implementing comprehensive programs that cultivate strong, lasting relationships with key university stakeholders and enhance their engagement with the university’s mission.

In this role, the Senior Director will oversee the full life cycle of donor interactions, from initial engagement through long-term stewardship, with the goal of fostering deep, enduring connections that lead to sustained philanthropic support. The Senior Director will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams—across development, marketing and communications, finance and operations, and alumni engagement—to ensure that the WSUFAE delivers a seamless personalized experience for all stakeholders.

With a team of more than 50 dedicated individuals working to support fundraising and donor and alumni relationships, the WSUFAE is proud to champion the continued growth of Wichita State University. With nearly $400 million in managed assets and thousands of alumni spread around the world, it is an exciting time to be a part of advancing Shocker Nation.  
The job duties for this position include:

1.   Strategic Leadership & Plannings

• Develops strategic plans and goals for all stakeholder (alumni, donor, friends, corporate partners) engagement events and donor experience initiatives in collaboration with the Vice President for Stakeholder Engagement, and unit leaders for Development and Alumni Engagement.
• Participate in long-and short-term departmental planning.
• Leads gift stewardship strategy and standard processes to build a consistent donor experience for all stages of a philanthropic relationship with Wichita State University. 

2.   Program & Event Oversight
   • Oversee the development, budgeting, execution, and assessment of donor related events (in-person, virtual, on- and off-campus).
   • Manage signature and high-touch events including groundbreaking ceremonies, stewardship events, press conferences, alumni engagement events, naming celebrations, grand openings, etc.
   • Manage on-going smaller scale events that engage current or prospective donors.
   • Provide on-site leadership and staff support at all events.

3.    Stewardship & Donor Relations
   • Lead the execution and strategy of donor stewardship practices including acknowledgements, impact reporting, storytelling, and recognition efforts.
   • Maintain consistent stewardship practices across gift types (annual, endowment, capital, planned gifts, etc.)
   • Conduct donor satisfaction surveys and analyze feedback to inform program development.
   • Manage WSUFAE’s recognition protocols (signage, naming, giving societies, etc.)

4. Team Leadership & Development
   • Supervise and mentor a high-performing Donor Experience team.
   • Provide regular performance feedback, developing plans, training, and support for career progression.
   • Foster an inclusive and collaborative team culture align with the organization’s values.

5.    Collaboration & Relationship Building
   • Collaborate with development officers, university departments, alumni engagement staff, and campus/community partners as needed to support integrated stewardship strategies.
   • Partner with Marketing and Communications and other WSUFAE teams on strategies to effectively target and engage audiences in donor experience events and programming.
   • Build relationships with vendors, donors, volunteers, and institutional leadership.

6.    Data & Operational Management
   • Develop, implement, and monitor KPIs, metrics, and dashboards to assess performance and ROI of stewardship initiatives and donor engagement.
   • Ensure accurate data entry and tracking of all event-related, stewardship, and donor engagement information.
   • Evaluate and redefine internal processes for improved efficiency and impact.
   • Provides program reporting to internal WSUFAE partners on all matters of donor stewardship and donor relations, including gift acknowledgment, impact reporting, donor recognition, and coordinated activities for principal level donor initiatives.

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field (Communications, Nonprofit Managements, Public relations, etc.)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, event management, or community engagement (to include special events)
• Minimum of 2-3 years of managerial experience
• Strong track record of excellent and collaborative project management skills that result in a high degree of excellence.
• Experience with strategic planning and execution on plans
• Project a professional image at all times
• Experience in budget oversight
• Commitment to the WSU Foundation core values of Integrity, Service, Collaboration, and Excellence

• Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills
• Experience in supervising others to meet goals and objectives
• Enthusiasm, commitment to excellence, self-motivation, a professional demeanor
• Highly organized and detail oriented
• The ability to handle multiple tasks with organization and accuracy
• A collaborative, team-oriented attitude
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project), internet research and strong knowledge of social media
• Experience working with databases (preferable Raisers’ Edge)

•    Frequent and sudden movements from sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and walking
•    Frequent standing or sitting for prolonged periods
•    Frequent use of a telephone for prolonged periods
•    Frequent exposure to large crowds, loud noises, and/or bright and/or flashing lights
•    Occasional travel for conferences and donor or alumni engagement opportunities
•    Occasional use of stairs for events
•    Frequent lifting up to 20 pounds
•    Occasional lifting up to 50 pounds
•    Frequent exposure to outdoors and hot and inclement weather

• Knowledge of Wichita State University and a commitment to higher education
• Master’s degree in related field

WSUFAE offers outstanding benefits including medical/dental/vision (100% premium paid for employee/50% for dependents), term life insurance, tuition reimbursement, 8.5% company matching on retirement accounts after one year, and more.
WSUFAE believes in the power of education. Since 1965, we have worked to connect the students, faculty, and staff of Wichita State University with the resources they need to transform their communities. Our dedicated staff includes members of the development, annual fund, finance, support, and student teams. We have accomplished big goals in the last few years and don't plan to slow down anytime soon.
With a mission built on our core values of integrity, collaboration, excellence, and service, we strive to be an inclusive and equitable work environment. Managers are expected to model this behavior by clearly setting expectations and directly addressing non-inclusive behavior. In our pursuit to build and maintain a high-performing team, it is every individual’s responsibility to contribute to our culture of belonging.

Advancing the mission and vision of Wichita State University takes a strong team, and it is our core values that unite and empower us to reach our goals together. Collectively, we are passionate about education and opening doors to new opportunities by working together to “elevate, celebrate and advance Wichita State University through engagement and philanthropy.”

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with a disability in completing the application form or in the interview process. Please notify the Human Resources Office at (316) 978-3815 or email [email protected] in advance so necessary arrangements can be made.

To Apply:
Please fill out an application, submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interests in, and qualifications for, the position.
 
WSUFAE is an EOE employer