Executive Director of Development & Marketing

Job Details

FLSA Status:

SALARY, EXEMPT

This position offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience

As an exempt employee, the employee may occasionally work beyond standard business hours (40 hours), including evenings and weekends, to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.

Department: Strategic Engagement

Reports to: Vice President for Strategic Engagement

Positions Managed: Alumni Coordinator

Why Bethany College:

Rooted in our Lutheran heritage and the transformative power of the liberal arts, Bethany prepares students to lead lives of purpose, leadership, creativity, and service in a complex and changing world. Located in Lindsborg, Kansas—affectionately known as "Little Sweden" and celebrated for its vibrant arts community—Bethany offers a close-knit environment where faculty and staff know students by name and mentor them in a highly personalized setting. Education at Bethany is rooted in intellectual discovery and a deep sense of belonging, equipping students to think critically, lead ethically, and serve with purpose. As a small, private, rural college, Bethany plays an essential role in renewing civic life, expanding opportunity, and fostering community revitalization. We believe in the value of personalized liberal arts education, the importance of diversity in thought and belief, the power of community, and the promise of rural America.

Why Lindsborg:

Founded in 1881, Bethany College is a dynamic liberal arts institution in Lindsborg, Kansas—known as “Little Sweden USA”—which is located 15 miles from Salina, KS, and an hour and 20 minutes from Wichita, the largest city in the state. Bethany provides a transformative educational experience grounded in faith, learning, and community. The College is dedicated to cultivating leaders who serve and inspire through integrity, creativity, and purpose. Lindsborg and Bethany College have a long and storied history in the fine and performing arts, athletics, and education for the Smoky Valley region. To learn more about Lindsborg, visit Welcome to Lindsborg Kansas - Little Sweden USA - Home Page

Position Overview:

The Executive Director of Development and Marketing provides strategic leadership for annual giving, communications, and marketing efforts. Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Engagement, this position is responsible for developing and implementing integrated advancement and marketing strategies that strengthen the institution’s brand, increase philanthropic support, deepen alumni and community engagement, and advance institutional priorities. The Executive Director serves as a collaborative partner across campus, working closely with academic, administrative, and external stakeholders to align development/admissions and marketing initiatives with the institution’s mission and strategic goals.

This role oversees a comprehensive portfolio that includes annual giving, marketing, publications, and communications. The Executive Director leads a high-performing team, manages resources and external partnerships, and uses data-informed decision-making to drive results and continuous improvement. The position requires a forward-thinking and innovative leader who can respond to emerging trends in philanthropy, communications, and digital engagement while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and service.

Essential Functions:

Four Key Areas:

• Oversee annual giving program and initiatives.
• Manage advancement and social media communications for the college, including earned media.
• Deepen alumni and community engagement.
• Lead the development and creation of the Bethany College Magazine (one issue per year).

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Direct the development of annual, integrated advancement and marketing plans, empowering development, alumni engagement, communications, and marketing leaders to lead the creation of their individual plans. Establish and align strategic goals with senior leadership to ensure all fundraising, donor relations, alumni engagement, communications, and marketing efforts drive measurable progress toward institutional priorities.
• Manage the annual giving portfolio ($500k), seeking to engage with donors between the levels of $1 to $24,999.
• Collaborate across the institution with leaders in academics, athletics, finance, admissions, and student affairs to ensure advancement and marketing strategies are fully integrated with institutional priorities and student experience goals.
• Partner with external communications teams, including the City of Lindsborg and local area non-profits, to align messaging, marketing, public relations, and fundraising strategies with institutional priorities.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy across multiple stakeholders, including internal and external messaging, donor communications, public relations, alumni engagement, campaign messaging, and leadership communications to support the institution’s mission and strategic goals.
• Provide strategic oversight and sponsorship to ensure the successful execution of integrated fundraising and marketing plans. Define and manage resource requirements, including financial, technology, and staffing needs, to guarantee optimal allocation, impact, and alignment with institutional goals.
• Champion and protect the institution’s brand, ensuring all advancement, communications, and marketing strategies align with institutional identity and values. Communicate brand attributes and positioning clearly, and oversee effective content and storytelling strategies to enhance the institution’s image, programs, and philanthropic priorities.
• Manage external vendor partnerships to fully leverage expertise and resources in support of institutional advancement, marketing, communications, and campaign objectives.
• Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, alumni, donors, community organizations, corporate partners, and external constituents to advance institutional priorities.

Team Leadership and Operational Management

• Lead and direct the Marketing team, including alumni relations, communications, marketing, and donor stewardship staff. Manage the budget, set strategic goals, and establish operational practices aligned with the institution’s mission and values.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment. Clearly communicate institutional priorities and goals, articulating the department’s vital contribution to advancement and institutional success.
• Optimize team efficiency by establishing consistent and predictable work processes and providing necessary tools, training, and professional development opportunities for staff.
• Ensure strong collaboration and accountability across advancement and marketing functions to maximize effectiveness and donor, alumni, and community engagement.

Performance and Innovation

• Drive data-informed decision-making within the team, defining clear metrics to evaluate annual giving fundraising performance, campaign effectiveness, donor retention, alumni engagement, brand awareness, and marketing success.
• Champion continuous innovation in fundraising, donor engagement, communications, and marketing tactics to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of reaching, engaging, and retaining donors, alumni, and institutional supporters.
• Lead the Development and Marketing team in responding to emerging trends in philanthropy, digital engagement, artificial intelligence, and evolving communication channels.
• Oversee change management efforts for projects and initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment with institutional goals while fostering a collaborative, risk-aware environment that drives continuous improvement through insights and innovation.

Management of College Magazine

• Provide strategic oversight for the planning, development, production, and distribution of the institution’s alumni and donor magazine.
• Collaborate with campus partners, alumni, donors, faculty, students, and staff to identify and develop compelling stories that highlight institutional priorities, achievements, and impact.
• Oversee editorial calendars, content development, writing, photography, design, and production schedules to ensure timely publication
• Ensure the magazine reflects the institution’s brand, voice, and strategic messaging while strengthening engagement with alumni, donors, and other key stakeholders.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas to cover absences or provide relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree plus 8-10 years of experience in event planning, volunteer management, program development, leadership, or related experiences required.
• Must demonstrate an understanding of the sensitive nature of development and advancement communication, and a commitment to confidentiality necessary to the role.
• Must have excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Keen understanding of KPIs with the ability to track, monitor, and quarterly report metrics toward strategic goals.
• Proficiency in leading and managing members of a team
• Demonstrated ability to build and nurture strong relationships necessary to carry out work.
• Excellent grammar, spelling, and writing abilities
• Microsoft Office, computer knowledge, and knowledge of office equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences, including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, administration, and the community-at-large
• Ability to handle multiple projects/assignments concurrently and be very results-oriented
• Highly motivated and works well both independently and in a team environment

Preferred:

• An advanced degree in business, leadership, communications, marketing, or higher education is desirable.
• Master’s degree in business or communication.
• Ability to use AI tools responsibly and effectively.
• Experience working in higher education or the non-profit sector is also desirable.
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills are essential.
• Bilingual in Spanish or some knowledge of the Spanish language is a plus

Working Conditions

Must be available to work weekend and evening hours, including home athletic events, and occasional travel may be required.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans
• Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Tuition remission benefits
• Professional Development Funds
• Possible Relocation Assistance
• Opportunities for professional development and leadership growth
• Supportive, mission-driven community and a beautiful campus environment

HOW TO APPLY:

• Apply online at Employment
• Submit resume and cover letter

EEO:

Bethany College, an institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

This policy reflects Bethany College's mission to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. This commitment to equal employment opportunities strengthens our community and enhances our ability to fulfill our educational mission.