Director of Development

Job Title: Director of Development – The Kansas City Royals Foundation

Job Summary: The Director of Development is a key leadership role within the Royals’ Community Impact Department and The Kansas City Royals Foundation team, responsible for setting the vision for and creating and executing a robust fundraising strategy to support the Foundation’s long-term success. This individual will oversee growth and diversification of revenue, including the process of securing new sources of income from individuals, foundations, and corporations, as well as expanding and maintaining its current donor base.

The Kansas City Royals Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that uses the power of sport to improve the lives of Kansas Citians by supporting education and literacy efforts, promoting healthy and active communities, uplifting our military and veterans, and more. Since its inception in 2001, The Royals Foundation has donated more than $25 million in grants to hundreds of local nonprofits, including $2.8 million in 2023.

The Kansas City Royals Foundation (KCRF) is one of three teams within The Kansas City Royals Community Impact department, which exists to serve and unite our community through the power of sport. The department leverages the Club’s unique assets and capabilities including charitable donations; employee, player and alumni volunteerism and experiences; and our physical structures to make a positive and sustainable impact in KC and beyond. In addition to The Kansas City Royals Foundation, the Community Impact department includes two other teams: The Kansas City Urban Youth Academy and Royals Hall of Fame/Ballpark Experiences.

Position Accountabilities/Responsibilities:

• Provide the leadership, strategic direction, management, and coordination for all aspects of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts.
• Create a fundraising strategy with short-, medium- and long-term goals that positions the Foundation for sustainable impact in the community.
• Develop annual and multi-year operating plans in support of the strategy for presentation to the Foundation’s Board of Directors; prepare regular reports to update the Board and Community Impact leadership of fundraising progress throughout the year.
• Ensure that appropriate systems and processes are in place to support KCRF’s short-, medium-, and long-term fundraising goals.
• Diversify the revenue portfolio of the Foundation to promote sustainability, including implementing fundraising strategies that increase the organization’s support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources.

• Build and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, and stakeholders to secure financial support and long-term partnerships, including identifying prospects, making cultivation calls and visits, and stewarding relationships.
• Cultivate, solicit, and secure major donors (5-figure gifts and above) and sponsorships, including annual and multi-year gifts.

• Oversee successful planning and execution of marquee fundraising events, incorporating strategies to increase ROI.
• Assist with the creation and management of the Foundation budget, in collaboration with Executive Director and finance team.
• Constantly monitor and evaluate fundraising strategy and revenue streams and adjust as necessary to ensure fundraising goals are achieved.
• Serve as the Community Impact team’s liaison to the Corporate Partnerships team, fostering strong internal and external relationships to drive strategic, meaningful investment and collaboration with corporate partners.
• Work collaboratively to develop compelling fundraising materials, donor communications, and stewardship strategies to drive effective storytelling and raise the profile, brand, and visibility of the Foundation.

Position Qualifications, Skills, and Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree; master’s degree or advanced certification preferred
• 7-10 years of nonprofit (or equivalent) experience, with at least 5 years leading a fundraising/development function
• A record of measurable results in developing and leading such campaigns as: major gifts, membership/sponsorship programs, grant writing, annual funds, corporate and foundation giving, and fundraising events
• A strong understanding of fundraising and development principles, techniques, and best practices, with experience in individual giving, corporate partnerships, and events
• Exceptional leadership and strategic planning abilities, including strong project management and budget skills and demonstrated experience in managing people
• Superior written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate KCRF’s mission and vision and inspire diverse stakeholders; highly skilled at crafting proposals, donor correspondence, and other related materials
• Demonstrated proactive and goal-driven self-starter
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, as well as the ability to effectively prioritize and meet deadlines
• A positive team player who promotes innovation and collaboration and thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment
• A passion for philanthropy, nonprofit/community impact work, and the role sport can play to move communities forward
• Flexibility and the ability to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends (as needed)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift items weighing as much as 15 pounds
• Must be able to be productive utilizing a computer keyboard and telephone
• Must be able to be productive in a work environment where the noise level can be high at times
• Must be comfortable navigating the facility to access the office, concourse, etc.
• Must be able to work extended hours and/or weekends as required by deadlines and event scheduling

The physical demands described here are representative of those that may be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This role is a Full-Time, Exempt opportunity that is eligible for Company Benefits, 401K, and PTO. This role is expected to have a standard 40-hour work week.

We also afford equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability. For this reason, the Kansas City Royals will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant consistent with its legal obligations to do so, including reasonable accommodations applicable local, state and / or federal law. As part of its commitment to make reasonable accommodations, the Club also wishes to participate in a timely, good faith, interactive process with a disabled applicant to determine effective reasonable accommodations, if any, which can be made in response to a request for accommodations. Applicants are invited to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made to assist them to perform the essential functions of the position they seek. Any applicant who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions please inquire with Human Resources by email at humanresources@royals.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.