Executive Director, Musizi University Foundation

Executive Director, Musizi University Foundation

Location: Remote (US-based preferred) with periodic international travel incl to Uganda.

Reports To: Board of Directors, Musizi University Foundation

Status: Full-time

Compensation: $85,000/year

About Musizi University Foundation

Musizi University Foundation is the U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization established to support the growth and long-term sustainability of Musizi University in Uganda.

Musizi University is building a new model of higher education for Africa—one that combines the liberal arts, entrepreneurship, technology, and experiential learning to prepare graduates to solve Africa's greatest challenges with empathy, innovation, and integrity.

The Foundation exists to mobilize philanthropic investment, cultivate strategic partnerships, and engage a global community of supporters who believe in the transformative potential of higher education.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive of Musizi University Foundation and is responsible for advancing the Foundation's mission through strategic leadership, fundraising, donor stewardship, organizational management, and external engagement.

Working closely with the Foundation Board and the leadership of Musizi University, the Executive Director will build the Foundation into a world-class philanthropic organization capable of attracting transformational investment from individuals, foundations, corporations, and institutional partners around the world.

This is an entrepreneurial leadership role suited for someone excited by building an organization from the ground up and helping shape one of Africa's most innovative universities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the strategic growth of Musizi University Foundation.
• Develop and implement multi-year fundraising and organizational strategies.
• Work closely with the Foundation Board to establish priorities, annual goals, and performance metrics.
• Serve as a key strategic advisor to Musizi University's leadership.
• Help position Musizi as a leading philanthropic investment opportunity in African higher education.

Fundraising and Development

• Develop and execute comprehensive annual and long-term fundraising plans.
• Build and manage a pipeline of major donors and prospective supporters.
• Cultivate relationships with philanthropists, family foundations, corporations, and institutional funders.
• Lead major gift solicitation and stewardship efforts.
• Prepare and oversee grant proposals and funding applications.
• Design donor recognition and stewardship programs.
• Support capital campaigns for scholarships, campus development, and strategic initiatives.

Board Relations

• Partner with the Foundation Board to strengthen governance and fundraising engagement.
• Support Board recruitment and orientation.
• Prepare Board materials, reports, and strategic updates.
• Facilitate Board meetings and committee work.

Partnerships and External Relations

• Represent Musizi University Foundation with donors, partners, universities, corporations, and government agencies.
• Develop strategic partnerships that advance the University's mission.
• Build relationships with alumni, diaspora communities, and global networks interested in African higher education.
• Serve as a compelling ambassador for Musizi's vision.

Organizational Leadership

• Build and supervise the Foundation team over time.
• Establish operational systems, policies, and administrative processes.
• Oversee Foundation finances in partnership with the Treasurer and Board.
• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance for a U.S. nonprofit organization.
• Manage external consultants and service providers.

Communications

• Help shape the Foundation's fundraising communications strategy.
• Develop compelling cases for support.
• Oversee donor communications, newsletters, annual reports, and campaign materials.
• Collaborate with the University's communications team to ensure consistent messaging.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, philanthropy, higher education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and managing donor relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership abilities.
• Experience working with boards of directors.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Preferred

• Experience launching or scaling nonprofit organizations.
• Experience in higher education fundraising or university advancement.
• Familiarity with African education or international development.
• Experience managing grants from foundations and institutional donors.
• Existing relationships within philanthropic, corporate, or higher education networks.
• Experience leading capital or comprehensive fundraising campaigns.

Desired Competencies

• Strategic Agility
• Business Acumen
• Composure
• Decision Quality
• Leadership

• Entrepreneurial mindset
• Strategic thinker
• Relationship builder
• Exceptional storyteller
• Strong project manager
• High integrity and sound judgment
• Cultural humility and global perspective
• Results-oriented with strong execution skills
• Collaborative leadership style
• Passion for educational transformation

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Executive Director will be evaluated annually based on progress across the following areas.

1. Fundraising & Revenue Growth

• Raise annual philanthropic revenue in line with Board-approved targets.
• Secure 10–20 new ultra major donor ($10,000 or above) prospects annually.
• Submit 10–15 high-quality grant proposals annually.
• Achieve a year-over-year increase in unrestricted funding.
• Diversify funding sources across individuals, foundations, corporations, and institutional grants.
• Maintain a healthy fundraising pipeline with qualified prospects at each stage of cultivation.

1. Donor Engagement & Stewardship

• Maintain regular, meaningful engagement with existing donors.
• Ensure timely stewardship, recognition, and impact reporting.
• Develop personalized engagement strategies for major donors.
• Increase donor retention and recurring giving.

KPIs

• Donor retention rate of 75% or higher.
• 100% of major donors receive at least two meaningful stewardship interactions annually.
• All donor reports delivered on schedule.
• Increase recurring donors each year.

1. Strategic Partnerships

• Develop partnerships that strengthen Musizi University's academic excellence, student opportunities, and financial sustainability.
• Expand relationships with corporations, family foundations, and philanthropic organizations.

KPIs

• Establish 5–10 new strategic partnerships annually.
• Secure corporate sponsorships and foundation collaborations aligned with Musizi's priorities.
• Increase the number of collaborative initiatives supporting scholarships, research, internships, or innovation.

1. Organizational Development

• Build strong operational systems for the Foundation.
• Strengthen governance and Board engagement.
• Ensure legal, financial, and regulatory compliance.

KPIs

• Annual operating plan approved and implemented.
• Annual budget achieved within agreed variance.
• Successful completion of required nonprofit filings and compliance obligations.
• Positive Board evaluation of Executive Director performance.
• Recruit and onboard additional Foundation staff as growth requires.

1. Communications & Visibility

• Increase awareness of Musizi University among philanthropic audiences.
• Position the Foundation as a trusted investment partner for transformational education in Africa.

KPIs

• Publish an annual impact report.
• Deliver quarterly donor communications.
• Increase Foundation visibility through speaking engagements, conferences, and strategic events.
• Grow engagement across newsletters, donor events, and digital communications.

1. Collaboration with Musizi University

• Maintain strong alignment between Foundation activities and University priorities.
• Support fundraising for strategic institutional initiatives, including scholarships, academic programs, faculty development, and campus expansion.

KPIs

• Quarterly strategic planning meetings with University leadership.
• Timely reporting on fundraising progress and donor commitments.
• Successful execution of fundraising campaigns supporting University priorities.
• High levels of satisfaction from University leadership regarding Foundation partnership and responsiveness.

Overall Measures of Success

Success in this role will be demonstrated by the Executive Director's ability to:

• Build a sustainable culture of philanthropy around Musizi University.
• Grow annual philanthropic support while strengthening long-term donor relationships.
• Position Musizi University Foundation as a respected and trusted philanthropic organization.
• Expand the University's network of strategic partners and supporters globally.
• Build the organizational systems, team, and governance structures necessary to support the Foundation's long-term growth and impact.

Why Join Musizi?

This is an opportunity to help build one of Africa's most ambitious higher education institutions from the ground up.

Rather than joining an established organization, you will help create one—working alongside visionary educators, entrepreneurs, and global partners to expand access to transformative education and prepare a new generation of African leaders.

Your work will directly contribute to scholarships, academic excellence, campus development, research, and the long-term sustainability of an institution designed to serve Africa for generations to come.

No additional benefits at this time.

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