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Senior Director for Advancement - MURR

University of Missouri-Columbia
$100000.00-$120000.00
parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance
United States, Missouri, Columbia
801 Conley Avenue (Show on map)
Oct 01, 2026
Hiring Department

Advancement

Job Description

The University of Missouri seeks highly qualified applicants for a Sr. Director for Advancement for the MU Research Reactor (MURR). Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Principal Gifts and Donor Strategy, the Sr. Director for Advancement will develop and cultivate a portfolio of individual and corporate/foundation principal-gift prospects, hone the case for support for NextGen MURR and related research and develop enterprises, and serve as a communication liaison between MU Advancement and MURR. The Sr. Director will foster collaboration between the Executive Director of the Research Reactor, the director of the NextGen MURR initiative, related campus entities, and MU Advancement to secure major and principal gifts for the current reactor, the NextGen project and related entities, and serve as the primary steward for such gifts.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

* Drive the fundraising and stakeholder engagement efforts for NextGen MURR and related projects, reporting to both the Executive Director of MURR and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Advancement - Principal Gifts and Donor Strategy.
* Proactively identify prospective individual and corporate/foundation donors capable of principal level support ($5M+) for the NextGen MURR facility.
* In cooperation with the Vice Chancellor for Advancement, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Principal Gifts and Donor Strategy, and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for University Programs, develop and execute a fundraising plan that aligns MURR's national breadth of interest with potential donor prospects, within and beyond MU's donor base.
* Strategically partner with MURR leadership to develop philanthropic priorities and gift opportunities that will resonate with donors.
* Strategically partner with MURR Marketing and Communications to ensure consistent and effective message alignment for all stakeholders.
* Steward genuine relationships with the donors, alumni, partners, and stakeholders of the research reactor, communicating donor impact.
* Build an individual portfolio of principal-gift donors ($5m+), make substantive and meaningful contact (including phone, video, and face-to-face visits) with them, and successfully present proposals.

* Interpersonal:
o Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to build and foster a culture of trust, influence internal and external stakeholders, and network effectively in-person and digitally.
o Build consensus and resolve conflict while leveraging Mizzou Advancement's commitment to a collaborative and effective work environment.
o Demonstrate competence around Mizzou's core values of Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, and Excellence.

* Business:
o Ability to think strategically, synthesize broad information and communicate across all levels
o Intentionally and purposefully sets priorities and shifts processes, resources, and capital
o Propels aggressive results through proven business acumen and innovative thinking
o Analyzes team, donor, and unit needs and proposes forward-thinking solutions
o Quickly master's new technical and business knowledge, serving as a chief storyteller of the MURR and NextGen MURR opportunities.

* Competencies:
o A passion for the mission of the University of Missouri, Mizzou Advancement, and the MU Research Reactor.
o Self-starter and strong sense of urgency, continuously motivates and inspires others to action.
o Intellectually curious & takes initiative to capitalize on opportunities
o Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to generate excitement to build fruitful working relationships with colleagues and donors
o A compassionate and empathic leader, thoughtful of environment, organizational cultures, and dynamics
o Self-aware with an accurate reflection of strengths and areas for improvement and is willing to growth and thrive
o Demonstrates leadership in difficult situations and uses effective management tactics, including mentoring, professional relationship building, and feedback channels

Shift

Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

There is expected frequent travel and can include irregular working hours.

This is an on-campus role that will be housed within the NextGen MURR offices, with regular meetings expected at Reynolds Alumni Center and other locations on campus.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 6 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred candidates will have a master's degree, a minimum of five years of fundraising or transferrable skills, ideally within a university or research organization. Preference will be given to candidates with high proficiency in communications to best relay the potential presented by the NextGen MURR project..

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $100,000 -120,000 per year

Grade: GGS 013

University Title: Advancement Director III

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Resume and Cover Letter

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Other Information

Our benefits:
As one of Missouri's largest employers, MU staff members enjoy exceptionally competitive health, PTO and retirement plans. A few highlights:
* Health Insurance -Three plans to choose from, including our Custom Network Plan; a cost-effective insurance option that utilizes our extensive network of MU-affiliated hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
* HSA - UM provides between $400 - $1200 in contributions to health savings accounts, depending on plans and dependents
* Dental - 100% coverage for preventative care, with no restrictions on network or non-network providers
* Vision - $0 copays on frames and contact lenses along with a $140 allowance, and a $10 copay on yearly eye exams.
* Retirement - UM will match 100% of up to 8% of eligible pay contributed to a 457(b), with a three-year vesting period on University contributions.
* Tuition Assistance - Up to 75% of tuition and supplemental fees waived for employees, and 50% waived for spouses and dependents
* Time Off - Personal time off (PTO) as well as 10 paid holidays.
* Winter Break - The university observes a paid holiday for the period between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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