Assistant Director, Donor Engagement and Communications, KCAU Foundation at KCA University (KCAU)

Job Objective

• The job holder will be responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive donor engagement and stewardship strategies, as well as leading communication initiatives that drive fundraising outcomes and support event-based programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Donor Engagement Strategy: Develop and implement comprehensive donor engagement strategies to cultivate relationships with individual donors, major donors, foundations, corporations, and other stakeholders; Identify opportunities to personalise donor interactions and stewardship efforts to enhance donor satisfaction and loyalty; Collaborate with the resource mobilisation team to establish donor recognition and stewardship programs, including acknowledgement letters, donor appreciation events, and personalised communications.
• Donor Communication: Oversee the development and implementation of donor communication plans, including email campaigns, newsletters, annual reports, and fundraising appeals; Create compelling content that effectively communicates the KCAU’s impact, achievements, and funding needs to donors and supporters; Coordinate with the communications team to ensure alignment of messaging, branding, and storytelling across all donor communications channels; Collaborate with the communications and marketing team to create donor communications, acknowledgement letters, and impact reports.
• Proposal, Offer & Donor-Case Development: Coordinate cross-functional input to ensure proposals are rigorous, compliant, impact-based and aligned with donor/investor criteria. Oversee the end-to-end lifecycle from lead identification → concept → submission → negotiation →
• Fundraising Appeals and Campaigns: Lead the planning, execution, and evaluation of fundraising appeals and campaigns aimed at acquiring new donors, renewing existing donors, and increasing donor contributions; Develop targeted fundraising messaging and collateral materials for various donor segments and fundraising initiatives; Monitor campaign performance metrics and adjust strategies as needed to optimise fundraising outcomes and donor engagement.
• Relationship Management: Cultivate and steward relationships with key donors, volunteers, board members, and other stakeholders to deepen engagement and support for the organisation; Serve as a primary point of contact for donor inquiries, requests, and feedback, providing excellent customer service and responsiveness; Collaborate with programmatic and leadership staff to facilitate donor engagement opportunities, including site visits, events, and program updates.
• Donor Database Management: Oversee the maintenance and utilisation of the donor database to track donor interactions, preferences, and giving history; Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and compliance with data protection regulations, including donor privacy and confidentiality; Leverage donor data and analytics to inform donor segmentation, targeting, and personalised communication strategies.
• Donor Engagement and Stewardship: Build and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, and event attendees, providing personalised stewardship and recognition opportunities; Develop and implement donor cultivation and stewardship strategies to deepen donor engagement and support.
• Reporting and Analysis: Prepare regular reports and analyses on donor engagement metrics, fundraising performance, and trends for internal and external stakeholders; Utilise data insights to evaluate the effectiveness of donor engagement strategies and communications efforts, identifying areas for improvement and optimisation.
• Perform any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by your Supervisor or Management.

Qualifications And Experience

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Communication, Marketing or a relevant field from an accredited/recognised institution. An advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., CFRE) will be an added advantage.
• At least Five (5) years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, communications, or related roles, with a focus on donor engagement and stewardship.

Other Skills And Competencies

• Strong understanding of donor-centric fundraising principles, strategies, and best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate the KCAU’s mission, impact, and funding needs to diverse audiences.
• Creative storytelling abilities and a passion for crafting compelling narratives that inspire philanthropic support.
• Relationship-building skills, with the ability to cultivate and steward donor relationships effectively.
• Proficiency in donor database management and CRM systems, with experience in data analysis and reporting.
• Project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Knowledge of fundraising tools and technologies, including online fundraising platforms and donor management software.
• Demonstrated commitment and a passion for making a positive impact in the community.