About Murray State
Located in the West Kentucky region, Murray State University is a public, comprehensive University which offers a low cost of living, low property taxes, and a four-season climate. Murray has a friendly, small-town atmosphere with locally-owned specialty shops and restaurants, an acclaimed community theater, art guild and award-winning public schools. The area is home to Kentucky Lake and Land Between the Lakes, a 170,000-acre National Recreation Area, which offers a wide-range of activities and amenities for residents and visitors alike. Located in close proximity to major cities and nearby access to Interstate 24, Murray is just a few hours from Nashville, St. Louis, Louisville and Memphis. Learn more about Careers at Murray State University.
About Murray State Benefits
Faculty and staff of Murray State University have access to a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement, tuition waivers, generous paid holidays, vacation, sick, and paid parental leave, as well as many other benefit offerings. Please refer to the Murray State Benefits page for more information.
Equal Opportunity Employment/Diversity Information
Murray State embraces diversity in the workplace and values attracting, developing and maintaining a diverse, high-quality faculty, staff, and student body. The University endeavors to create and promote a culturally diverse community to be accepting of and sensitive to diversity in its many varied forms. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Murray State University is an equal education and employment opportunity, M/F/D, AA employer.
Type of Employment Regular Full-Time
If Part Time, Enter Hours Per Week
Work Location Murray, KY
Employment Term 12 Months
Position Type Staff - Exempt (Monthly)
Department Office of Development
Summary of Job Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Executive Director of Advancement, this position is responsible for coordinating and facilitating Murray State’s fundraising efforts in key initiative areas for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (JCSET) and the School of Nursing and Health Professions (SONHP) as outlined by the Executive Director of Advancement and the Deans of the JCSET and the SONHP. These responsibilities include identifying and cultivating prospects, assisting in the development of strategies, collaboration and creation of gift proposals, and the solicitation of major gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations and other organizations for JCSET/SONHP projects. The director, as assigned by the Executive Director of Advancement, may be involved with broader institutional fundraising initiatives, including annual giving, planned giving, and capital campaign efforts.

Works with the Deans and leadership of the JCSET/SONHP and the executive director of Advancement to identify potential unit fundraising projects and priorities.
Identifies, cultivates and solicits a portfolio of individual and corporate/foundation major donor prospects for JCSET/SONHP projects for the purpose of funding key initiatives as identified by the Executive Director of Advancement and University leadership.
Manages and actively expands a portfolio of approximately 200 JCSET/SONHP donor prospects and makes at least 15-20 personal visits per month, requiring travel both regional and out-of-state on a regular basis. Maintains frequent contact with prospects to build relationships and increase philanthropic support.
Collaborates with appropriate university partners in developing a coordinated strategy to engage prospects with the university’s programs/researchers/educational mission and solicit philanthropic support. Establishes effective working relationships with these colleagues and works across administrative boundaries in an open and collegial environment.
Develops compelling philanthropic and sponsorship presentations, proposals, recognition, activation packages, partnership updates, and other communications.
Is responsible for collecting and transferring thorough and appropriate information on all constituents in the donor records system.
Provides leadership to engage donors and volunteers in development activities.
Assists in forming, guiding, and supervising project advisory councils and other volunteers in fundraising activities and efforts.
Ensures that all donations are promptly submitted for recording.
Meets regularly with campus managers and development staff for coordinating fundraising efforts as assigned by the Executive Director of Advancement.
Represents the University as requested at functions of interest to the institution including those scheduled on evenings and weekends.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Education Requirements
Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum Experience and Skill Requirements
Demonstrated success in direct solicitation of gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations. Sales experience (or equivalent) may be substituted for charitable giving experience if applicant can show results success and evidence of excellent relationship management skills.
The qualified applicant must be self-motivated, articulate and sincerely inspiring as represented through written and oral communication as well as presentation and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated success in program management especially pertaining to time-management abilities, customer service focus, and results-oriented performance.
Preferred Education and/or Experience Qualifications
Advanced degree.
4 or more years of fundraising or sales experience
Experience with fundraising and/or financial software, planned giving techniques/vehicles.
Physical Demands
Work Hours
Ability to represent the University as requested at functions of interest to the institution including those scheduled on evenings and weekends. The position requires frequent regional travel as well as out-of-state travel.
Annual Salary $52,336 (Additional pay dependent upon qualifications)