Associate Director, Pipeline Development

KU Endowment•Lawrence, KS

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director, Pipeline Development or Pipeline Development Team Lead is a key leader in KU Endowment’s efforts to create a seamless and intentional donor journey—from first-time supporters to principal gift partners. Serving as a “player-coach,” this position is responsible for overseeing the Pipeline Development Program, leading a team of Donor Engagement Officers, and managing a portfolio of their own encompassing leadership annual giving, major gift, and strategic discovery outreach for principal gift suspects and prospects. A central aspect of this role is partnering closely across the Donor Engagement team and with the Major Gift Development staff, to align outreach strategies, donor communications, and segmentation efforts ensuring a cohesive experience that nurtures long-term philanthropic relationships. Through collaboration and shared insight, these partnerships strengthen the top of the donor funnel and drive sustainable growth across all giving levels. This role is designed for a highly strategic thinker and team builder who understands the full donor continuum and embraces innovative, data-informed engagement methods. The Team Lead will be charged with cultivating a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and excellence, ensuring every donor interaction whether through digital engagement, personalized outreach, or discovery meetings—reflects the values and vision of KU. The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – collaboration, curiosity, empowerment, and excellence – and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of five years of progressive experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, or a related field, preferably within higher education or a nonprofit environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.

Nice To Haves

Preferred experience supervising or mentoring staff.
Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), marketing or engagement platforms (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud), and project management tools (e.g., Salesforce), preferred.
Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships inside and outside KU Endowment.
Ability to adapt to new procedures and technology.
Acts as a catalyst for change, challenging conventional thinking and advocating for unconventional approaches when necessary.
An entrepreneurial spirit and a track record of turning innovative ideas into successful outcomes.
Proficient in data analysis and skilled in interpreting human behaviors derived from data.
Comprehensive grasp of both annual giving and major gift principles.
Must exhibit the ability to be well-organized and follow through on tasks.
Exemplifies sound judgment, operates effectively with minimal oversight with an achievement-oriented attitude.
Ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity with confidence.
A collaborative mindset that fosters a team culture where the value of each and every donor matters.
Enthusiastically committed to ongoing learning and personal growth.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a high-performing team of Donor Engagement Officers (DXOs), providing mentorship, direction, and support to foster professional development, ensure accountability to performance metrics, strategic workflow, and drive donor engagement outcomes.
Implement and manage annual development plans and productivity reports to measure team progress and inform strategic adjustments.
Oversee and maintain accurate records and documentation of donor interactions, outreach efforts, and team activity within the donor management systems.
Collaborate with the Donor Engagement, Data Lead to utilize data and insights to identify donor segments, inform targeting strategies, and optimize portfolio assignments across the donor continuum.
Participate in the strategic development and continuous evolution of the Pipeline Development Program, integrating modern fundraising workflows, personalized outreach tactics, and digital engagement strategies.
Monitor and evaluate industry trends and peer benchmarks to ensure KU Endowment remains a leader in pipeline development and donor experience.
Partner with Donor Engagement colleagues to align acquisition, retention, stewardship, events, communications, and recognition strategies that deepen relationships with donors and ensure a cohesive, meaningful engagement experience across the donor lifecycle.
Work closely with Major Gift Officers and development teams to support the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors by aligning engagement strategies, coordinating touchpoints, and ensuring meaningful donor experiences that advance philanthropic priorities.
Maintain and cultivate a personal portfolio of donors and prospects, with a focus on securing leadership annual gifts, building a regional major gift pipeline, engaging un-engaged principal gift prospects or suspects, and advancing donor relationships toward increased giving.
Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position.
Performs other duties as assigned.