Assistant/Associate Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement- Public Media

Job Description:

Joint Appointment: Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement | WKU Public Media (WKU Public Radio & PBS)

Position Overview

Western Kentucky University seeks an Assistant or Associate Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement to serve in a joint appointment with WKU Public Media, home to WKU Public Radio and PBS. This position is based within Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement and maintains a strong, collaborative liaison relationship with WKU Public Media leadership and staff. The title and fundraising expectations for this role will be determined based on the incoming candidate's experience: candidates with 0-2 years of fundraising experience will be appointed at the Assistant Director level, while candidates with 2 or more years of fundraising experience will be appointed at the Associate Director level.

The Philanthropy Officer - Public Media will be the primary frontline fundraiser dedicated to securing transformational major gifts ($25,000 and above) in support of WKU NPR and PBS programming, operations, and strategic initiatives. This role bridges the donor-centered relationship management expertise of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement with the mission-driven storytelling and community impact of WKU Public Media, creating a distinctive and compelling philanthropic experience for donors who believe in the power of public broadcasting.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Major Gift Fundraising for Public Media

• Manage a portfolio of current, lapsed, and prospective major gift donors ($25,000+) with a focus on philanthropic investment in WKU PBS and WKU Public Radio programming, infrastructure, and endowment.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each major gift prospect, utilizing in-person visits, video conferencing, phone, and written communications.
• Partner closely with WKU Public Media leadership and staff to remain current on station priorities, programming initiatives, capital needs, and community impact - translating these into compelling cases for philanthropic support.
• Collaborate with Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement colleagues to identify, qualify, and advance public media prospects from the university's broader donor and alumni pipeline.
• Solicit donors and prospects for major gifts in support of Public Media priorities, including endowed funds, program underwriting, equipment and facilities, and special initiatives.
• Steward existing Public Media donors through meaningful, mission-centered engagement including behind-the-scenes access, impact reporting, and recognition aligned with their interests.
• Responsible for raising a minimum of $250,000 annually (Assistant Director) or $500,000 annually (Associate Director) through major gift activity in support of WKU Public Media, commensurate with the appointed title and level of experience.

Portfolio & Relationship Management

• Manage a blended portfolio of current, lapsed, and prospective donors at both the leadership annual giving and major gift levels, ensuring consistent and relevant outreach through multi-channel touchpoint cadences.
• Execute touchpoint cadences across portfolio to ensure consistent and relevant donor communication via email, phone, social media, video conferencing, and texting.
• Identify and troubleshoot challenges to donors' online giving and engagement experience and work with appropriate colleagues to address.
• Identify prospects with major gift potential across the broader university portfolio and collaborate with colleagues to advance as appropriate.
• Promote philanthropic opportunities including university and college giving priorities, crowdfunding projects, Day of Giving, and alumni association membership alongside Public Media-specific initiatives.

Cross-Unit Collaboration

• Serve as the primary fundraising liaison between Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement and WKU Public Media, fostering a collaborative partnership that advances both the university's philanthropic mission and Public Media's community impact.
• Participate in WKU Public Media team meetings, events, and planning sessions as appropriate to remain deeply informed on station priorities and positioned to represent them compellingly to donors.
• Collaborate effectively with Philanthropy, Strategic Operations & Appeals, Alumni Engagement, and Donor Engagement & Communications teams as part of a comprehensive multi-channel fundraising program.
• Develop and maintain a broad knowledge and network of contacts across the university ? including admissions, athletics, colleges, and programs ? to identify engagement opportunities and demonstrate the impact of giving.
• Share upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, alumni association activities, and engagement pathways with donors to deepen their connection to WKU and Public Media, leading to increased philanthropic support.
• Maintain division core values: positivity, accountability, and excellence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Essential for Success

• Articulate a strong and compelling case for support for public media's role in community education, journalism, and cultural programming, and connect that mission to individual donor values and philanthropic goals.
• Use multiple cloud-based platforms simultaneously to gain information and manage donor relationships.
• Create strong professional relationships across mediums, especially via video conferencing and in-person engagement.
• Comfortably solicit donors for major gifts, with the ability to navigate complex conversations involving significant financial commitments.
• Provide excellent customer service and maintain a donor-centered approach throughout all stages of the gift cycle.
• Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking while exercising sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity.
• Handle interpersonal relationships maturely, thoughtfully, and empathetically, including the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.
• Be fluent in the menu of engagement and philanthropic opportunities across the university (regional alumni events, on-campus events, mentorship and volunteer opportunities, crowdfunding campaigns, fundraising priorities) to inform conversations and solicitations.
• Navigate and build relationships within a matrixed organizational structure, working effectively across two distinct university units with shared goals.
• Prioritize effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders and competing deadlines.

Physical Work Requirements

• Continuous work at a computer with multiple monitors.
• Constant contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise).
• Exposure to moderate noise, i.e. work colleagues, business office with computers, phones, and printers.
• Regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required; may require occasional weekend and evening work, including Public Media events and pledge drives.
• Regular requirement to work under strict deadlines.
• Travel required for donor visits and portfolio management.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree 
• Assistant Director: 0-2 years of fundraising or related experience. Candidates at this level will manage a major gift portfolio with a minimum annual fundraising goal of $250,000 and will receive mentorship and professional development support to advance toward the Associate Director level.
• Associate Director: 2 or more years of fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gift solicitation or a track record of progressively responsible donor relationship management. Candidates at this level will manage a major gift portfolio with a minimum annual fundraising goal of $500,000.

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