Job Description

The University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute (BI), on the Lawrence campus, is one of the premier research and education institutes in the U.S. in biodiversity science, biodiversity informatics, paleobiology, biogeography, evolutionary biology, and archaeology. The BI, one of the University’s designated research centers, reports to the KU Office of Research and comprises three units:

• Natural History Museum (NHM), in Dyche Hall, provides informal science education, science outreach and engagement through its public programming and 50,000 sq. ft. of exhibits.
• Research and Collections in Dyche, Lippincott, Lindley, Haworth, Spooner and Bridwell halls and the Public Safety Building, includes 14 scientific research divisions and departments, ~11 million specimens and cultural objects in research collections with associated biotic and archaeological data that document the life and past cultures of the planet, and research laboratories, offices and equipment.
• Paleontological Institute, in Lindley Hall, is the global hub for production of the Treatise of Invertebrate Paleontology, an encyclopedic compendium on fossil invertebrate animals.

The BI and its three units are housed in seven buildings on Main and West Campus. The BI is home to 55 staff members and 60+ graduate and undergraduate students who work in its research and public programming divisions and departments. 

Staff members and students are engaged in scientific research, education and service in archaeology and in the faunistics, floristics, biogeography, history, paleobiology, ecology, phylogenetics, systematics, genomics, behavior, and morphology of the world’s plants and animals.  Taxonomic foci include mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects, corals, sea anemones, parasites, and plants, as well as fossil vertebrates, invertebrates and plants.  Archaeological foci include Great Plains cultures.

The BI acquires, manages, and stewards collections of recent and extinct plants and animals, and of past cultural objects, along with their associated data.  The BI serves the worldwide biodiversity science and archaeology communities through free and open access to collection-based data, and through extensive loans of specimens and tissues of animal and plants, and of cultural objects.  In addition to graduate and undergraduate educational opportunities, the BI provides a wide variety of public programs to approximately 30,000 visitors including 10,000 K-12 students, youth and families annually onsite and through science outreach to local and regional communities.  The BI has an annual state operating budget approaching $3 million, which is approximately doubled or tripled through extramural grants and contracts. 

Working with the director, advisory board, the KU Endowment Association development officer, and other staff of the BI/NHM, the Assistant Director for Development is responsible for planning, advancing and implementing development and fundraising activities and events of the BI/NHM.  Specifically, this position: manages museum memberships and organizes donor and prospective donor contacts; assists KU Endowment fundraising staff with development of donor gift solicitations; organizes fund-raising activities, including events for donors and prospective donors and public engagement in the museum; is the liaison with the BI/NHM’s Board of Advisors and its committees/activities, and plans meetings of the board four times annually; seeks out and applies for grant funding that supports the mission of the BI; works closely with the museum’s Public Programs staff to ensure alignment of planned programs with mission, goals and development; serves as a spokesperson for the BI/NHM at events.  This position has one staff direct report—the Visitor Services and Donor Relations Coordinator.

DUTIES:

45% - Resource Development

a.       Using the BI/NHM Strategic Plan for guidance, work with the BI/NHM Director to identify fundraising priorities, set fundraising goals, and plan and implement associated activities including Endowment-driven fundraising campaigns such as One Day, One KU and Ever Onward.

b.      Identify funding opportunities; write and work with KU units (e.g. KU Center for Research, KU Endowment Association) to submit proposals to federal, state, local, and private agencies and foundations to support BI/NHM programs. 

c.       Manage current and prospective donor relations.

d.      Develop and coordinate donor-focused events for solicitation and stewardship, including an annual or biannual public fundraising event.

30% - Public Engagement

a.       Manage and advance the NHM membership program, including recruitment of new and lapsed members.

b.      In collaboration with other BI/NHM staff, plan and implement events to engage the public including member appreciation/recruitment events, donor appreciation events, events to promote BI research, and events to strengthen engagement of KU students.

10% - Board Relations

a.       Serve as the primary BI/NHM staff contact for the BI/NHM Board of Advisors, providing administrative support to the board including: coordinating meetings; setting agendas; maintaining operating procedures, handbooks and board memberships; providing orientation to new board members.

b.      Under the direction of the BI/NHM Director, work with the BI/NHM’s Board of Advisors to identify board projects, such as fundraising, that support the mission of the BI/NHM.

c.       Keep the board apprised of BI/NHM news.

5% - Administration and Service

a.       Advise the BI/NHM Director in all matters related to development and associated public affairs.

b.      Serve on BI/NHM committees including the Administration Committee and the Public Understanding of Biodiversity (PUB) committee.

c.       Be a spokesperson for the BI/NHM at public and private events.

5% - Supervision and Management

a.       Supervise the Visitor Services and Donor Relations Coordinator, holding regular planning meetings and providing regular feedback.

b.      As necessary, supervise student assistants.

c.       Serve as back-up for the Visitor Services and Donor Relations Coordinator as needed.

5% - Other duties as assigned

1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, museum studies, or a relevant field.
2. Three years of related professional experience.
3. Experience writing successful proposals to seek external funding as demonstrated by application materials.
4. Strong writing skills as evidenced by application materials.
5. Excellent organizational skills as evidenced by application materials and work and educational history.
6. Supervisory experience, demonstrated by previous work experience and application materials.

1. Master’s degree in communications, marketing, museum studies, or a relevant field.
2. Three or more years professional experience in development.
3. Strong interpersonal skills as needed for maintaining good donor relations.
4. Knowledge and interest in natural history, as evidenced in application materials.
5. Strong interest in and familiarity with museums, as evidence in application materials.
6. Experience with non-profit fundraising.
7. Professional experience at a large, public research institution or museum/cultural institution.
8. Familiarity with customer relationship management software (e.g. Patron Manager).
9. Experience with event planning as demonstrated by application materials.
10. At least one year experience in project management or leading a team.
11. Excellent oral communication skills as evidenced by work history and application materials.

Job Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $50,000 - 74,999

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