Senior Director, Enablement at KU Endowment

Description

Senior Director of Enablement

Department: Lawrence Development

Reports to: Vice President, Lawrence Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

The anticipated salary for this position starts at $132,000+. The final pay will be determined based on several factors, including qualifications, experience, education, and years within the job or industry, with a strong emphasis on maintaining internal equity. 

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.

Why Join Us?

As a key leader at KU Endowment, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of philanthropic engagement and institutional advancement. This is an opportunity to build capacity, inspire excellence, and drive meaningful impact for students, alumni, and the broader university community.

What we are looking for:

The Senior Director of Enablement plays a critical leadership role in equipping teams across KU Endowment, including advancement, fundraising, alumni relations, and donor engagement with the tools, technology, and strategic insights needed to drive mission-aligned growth and success. This position leads the Enablement function, ensuring operational excellence, optimized processes, and data-driven decision-making to enhance donor stewardship and revenue generation.

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. 

What’s a typical day look like?

Strategic Enablement Leadership

• Design and execute a comprehensive enablement strategy to support all fundraising and advancement functions that align with KUEA’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on organizational efficiency, capacity building, and performance optimization.
• Identify and implement best practices across development operations, prospect management, gift processing, and donor engagement.

Training & Professional Development

• Collaborate with Human Resources and leadership to help design, implement and oversee onboarding, continuing education, and certification programs for advancement staff.
• Partner with leadership and Human Resources to identify skill gaps and develop customized training curricula for fundraisers, alumni engagement professionals, and support staff.
• Drive adoption of new tools and practices through change management initiatives.

Technology & Tools Enablement

• Ensure effective implementation and optimization of CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge) and donor management tools.
• Collaborate with IT and data teams to enhance user experience, streamline workflows, and improve reporting capabilities.
• Lead enablement initiatives around AI, automation, and analytics to modernize advancement practices.

Insights, Analytics, & Performance Management

• Develop KPIs and dashboards to track fundraising effectiveness, team productivity, and donor engagement.
• Support campaign readiness and performance through strategic insights and actionable data.
• Provide regular analysis and reporting to leadership to inform planning, forecasting, and resource allocation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Advancement Services, Communications, Alumni Relations, and Major Gifts teams to align strategies and tools.
• Act as a liaison between fundraising teams and support departments to ensure seamless coordination and execution.
• Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

What’s required to be considered:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred (e.g., Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Higher Education).
• Minimum 8–10 years of experience in advancement, fundraising enablement, or nonprofit operations, with 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Prior experience in a higher education or university foundation setting strongly preferred.

What separates the best from the rest?

• Deep understanding of fundraising operations, donor lifecycle management, and advancement technologies.
• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker with a strong analytical mindset and the ability to translate insights into action.
• Proficient in CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce), data analytics tools, and enablement platforms.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships inside and outside KU Endowment.
• Ability to adapt to new procedures and technology.

Physical Requirements:

• A valid driver’s license. 
• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple locations for training, donor meetings, networking, events and/or work-related activities.
• Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards.
• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office productivity machinery such as computers, keyboards and a mouse, laptops, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. 
• This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• The person in this position frequently communicates with donors, colleagues, students, and general public. Must be able to communicate with others effectively.
• Physical effort/lifting, medium up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional travel requirements can include the following, evenings, weekends, and out of town overnights as a regular part of the job. 

KU Endowment is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job as regulated by ADA. If you require accommodation for any part of the application process or during employment, please contact [email protected] to discuss your needs.

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 https://www.kuendowment.org/careers.

Questions regarding this vacancy may be addressed to:

Human Resources

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.