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Foundation Project Coordinator

Missouri Western State University
4525 Downs Dr, St Joseph, MO 64507
Jun 27, 2026

Full time Part time / Adjunct Business/Financial Affairs/Financial Aid Development/Advancement/Fundraising Other Administrative Positions

Job Description

Position Information

Position Title	Foundation Project Coordinator
Job Description	Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, the Foundation Project Coordinator will coordinate a wide range of tasks, projects, and ongoing initiatives that ensure the success of the Division of Advancement and the MWSU Foundation. Key responsibilities include planning and executing complex on- and off-campus special events; donor engagement and stewardship programs; and documentation and data management initiatives. Handles administrative functions within the Division of Advancement, including preparing financial documents and monitoring budgets. The Coordinator will be responsible for advancing and reporting on all assigned projects; ensuring each is staying on time, on budget, and at a level of quality to perform as intended; and regularly reporting and communicating the status and outcomes of all projects to leaders and stakeholders. Acting on direction from senior staff, the Coordinator will exercise significant autonomy regarding how to allocate available time and resources to complete each project, and will work closely with top donors, key volunteers, external partner organizations, campus leaders, and external vendors of services, events spaces, catering, collateral materials, and more. For each project, the Coordinator will conduct research, collect information, develop a proposed strategy for achieving the outcomes, confer with the specific Project Leader assigned by the Vice President and Executive Director and execute the approach they approve. The ideal candidate shall be a dynamic self-starter, talented and positive communicator and collaborator, strategic thinker with high attention to detail, and one who is comfortable successfully balancing multiple high-priority projects. The incumbent must be professional, poised, and act with considerable discretion. ESSENTIAL DUTIES As directed by the manager of a given project or initiative, independently research, plan, and execute programs for the Division of Advancement. Coordinate the implementation of philanthropic advisory councils for academic and other units; support the planning and execution of city-based donor engagement programs; and assist with Presidential events focused on advancement objectives. Support outreach and marketing to planned gift prospects. Solicit information from faculty, staff, students, and administrators and develop stewardship content; organize major donor stewardship activities for the planned giving society, the Centennial Circle, and the On Griffon Wings program. Coordinate special events for Advancement. This entails scheduling room reservations, developing invitation lists, producing and delivering invitations, tracking RSVPs, selecting catering, arranging parking and security as needed; organizing AV services, agenda, videos, reports or other collateral materials; developing presentations and scripts and run-of-show summaries; securing guests and speakers; arranging seating charts; providing VIP guest services or fulfillment of the special needs of guests; and coordinating the delivery of ongoing strategic communication streams that support these events or activities. Evaluate outcomes and produce after-action reports to document performance and identify areas for future improvement. As directed, ensure events have attracted sponsors by collaborating with solicitors. Assist in the development of event and activity budgets and coordinate with vendors. Coordinate the recognition of sponsors or event hosts. As directed, fulfill similar events duties for the Foundation. Support the planning and execution of the Foundation’s annual donor appreciation event. Support ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, and other unique events as directed Coordinate the volunteer activities of the 24-person Alumni Board. As directed, schedule Board and Committee meetings, socials, and retreats. Coordinate the development and communication of agendas, dashboard reports, and other supporting materials. Produce meeting minutes. Track action items and ensure they are completed. As directed, support the work of each Board committee, including the award and member nominations process. Maintain records of Board activities. Coordinate the effective and efficient delivery of alumni services: monitor email accounts and respond to inquiries; coordinate Alumni Association brand programs and membership benefits, coordinate the soliciting of alumni updates and process them; and share alumni news with team members. Coordinate all alumni recognition programs. Manage Division of Advancement resources. Welcome visitors to the Advancement Suite; coordinate vendors and contracts; manage vendor delivery of services; track division budget; process financial transactions, including purchasing and reimbursements; maintain supply and equipment inventory, schedule meetings and appointments for the Advancement Directors. Coordinate the selection, editing, routing, and endorsement of donor gift agreements from Advancement to the Foundation. Coordinate Advancement performance reporting and calendars. Manage complex travel arrangements. Complete Foundation Process Improvement Initiatives as assigned. Establishes and maintain effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, donors, alumni, and vendors. Perform other duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES Excellent written and oral communications skills, as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, and the general public, etc. sufficient to effectively exchange or convey information, receive work direction, and meet or exceed all performance expectations. Strong writing, editing, proofreading and presentation-creation skills. Highly organized self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills. Experienced and proficient user of office productivity software, especially Microsoft Office tools. Familiarity with the basics of graphic design and layout. Solid mathematical and analytical skills. Ability to make financial calculations. Strong attention to detail and a track record of meeting deadlines. Basic knowledge of or ability to learn fundamentals and best practices in event management. Basic knowledge of or ability to learn fundamental fundraising principles and best practices. Knowledge of or ability to learn fundamental marketing communications strategies and best-practices. Knowledge of or ability to learn the basics of volunteer management. Ability to anticipate needs, see opportunities and use good judgment in dealing with confidential information. Ability to analyze and review operational procedures, identify problem areas and optimize performance through procedural change. Resilient, adaptable, and collaborative team member with a demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and adjust effectively to evolving priorities.
Required Qualifications	Bachelor’s degree, and One (1) year of coordinating programs or office operations Or an equivalent combination of training and experience to successfully perform the duteis of the position.
Preferred Qualifications	Three (3) years of successful professional office management, project management, event management, or marketing or a PMP (project management professional) certification.
Physical Demands	Light Work Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work
FLSA	Non-Exempt
Additional Demands	This is entirely on-site position. Some nights and weekends are required for special events. Some travel will be required for certain special events and professional development opportunities.
Hours of Work	Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number	S840P
Open Date	06/01/2026
Priority Deadline	06/15/2026
Open Until Filled	Yes

Application Details (to apply use the Apply Now button below.)

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About Missouri Western State University

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive, state-supported institution serving more than 5,000 students on a beautiful 744-acre campus about 45 minutes north of Kansas City. Missouri Western is an active partner in the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the people and region it serves. A distinct focus on applied learning and applied research is a hallmark of the innovative teaching and learning environment.

At Missouri Western, Griffons Succeed!

Missouri Western State University has a proud tradition of providing a high quality, affordable education to students in the state of Missouri and beyond. We are a four-year, state-supported institution providing a variety of degree programs and offering professional master’s degrees, four-year baccalaureate degrees, two-year associate degrees, pre-professional transfer programs and one-year certificates. In addition, the University offers seminars, conferences and workshops suited to the needs of the community.

Students come from throughout the United States and more than 25 countries. And our alumni live and work around the world. From its humble beginnings in 1915, Missouri Western continues to deepen its impact on the community, region, nation and world.

Accreditation

Missouri Western is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States. HLC accredits institutions of higher education in 19 states and has approximately 1,000 member institutions.

Accreditation supports our ongoing focus on institutional improvement, ensures that we remain accountable to our constituencies, and provides us with a broad framework for action as we work to achieve our mission.

Missouri Western’s accreditation was reaffirmed on January 24, 2017 and participates in the Open Pathway. We value the insights provided through the accreditation process and seek to use this information to strengthen our institution.

Missouri Western is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), which provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. When states join SARA, they agree to follow uniform processes for approving their eligible institutions’ participation. They also agree to deal with other states’ SARA institutions in a common way when those institutions carry out activities in SARA states other than their own. For a list of schools holding NC-SARA membership, please click here.

Specialized accreditations include:

Missouri Western also has the All-Steinway School designation, the American Chemical Society curriculum approval, and the American Bar Association approval.

When inquiring or applying for positions at Missouri Western State University, please also reference AcademicCareers.com

Applicants with dual-career considerations can find university jobs such as professor jobs, dean jobs, chair / department head jobs, and other faculty jobs and professional and administrative staff employment opportunities at Missouri Western State University and at other institutions of higher education in the region on www.AcademicCareers.com

To receive email alerts when new jobs at Missouri Western State University are posted, please sign up at new job openings at Missouri Western State University .

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