Associate Director, Post 50th and Gateway Giving

The Office of Advancement is in the first year of an exciting restructuring that includes the bringing together of a comprehensive Engagement Team, reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Engaged Philanthropy. The annual giving, engagement programs, special events, and advancement communications teams are working together to redefine engaged philanthropy and find opportunities for strategic collaboration. The Annual Giving effort is vital to the current campaign where we are in the second public year of a $600 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, the largest in school history, and are more than a year ahead of schedule. While raising financial support for key University initiatives, the campaign also aims to broaden Wesleyan's donor base and build a pipeline of donors for the future. Working with an alumni body of more than 30,000, as well as current and past parents, the Advancement team inspires the Wesleyan community and cultivates support for university initiatives through outreach activities, including development/ fundraising, alumni & parent relations, and both on and off-campus events. Wesleyan's fundraising dollars have increased consistently over the last ten years. In addition to meeting fundraising goals, the campaign also aims to broaden Wesleyan's donor base and build a pipeline of donors for the future. Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, the Associate Director is responsible for ensuring the execution of day-to-day operations and implementing a comprehensive strategy for Annual Giving's post-50th Reunion program and gateway giving initiatives. This includes leading the execution of processes, projects and tactics within the comprehensive strategy for post-50th philanthropy, managing post-50th classes during each reunion cycle, and managing individual prospects to meet class and program goals. The Associate Director will also manage a comprehensive approach to gateway giving by developing, executing, testing and evaluating giving opportunities that leverage key moments and shared experiences (e.g. event attendance, affinity group participation, class challenge giving, Giving Day, and more) to bring more donors into the pipeline. Responsibilities include Execute the day-to-day operations and implement a comprehensive strategy for both the post-50th philanthropy program and gateway giving initiatives Assess potential and create a data-informed strategy around post-50th annual giving and gateway giving initiatives. Achieve year-over-year fund growth by consistently evaluating and improving these programs. Work with colleagues, especially in gift planning and alumni & parent relations to reach program goals. Manage assigned reunion and non-reunion classes. Track key success metrics throughout the year to both inform strategy and keep Advancement leadership informed of progress. Facilitate prospect handoffs across the post-50th program and gateway initiatives to annual giving, major gifts, principal gifts, and gift planning teams as appropriate, with a focus on identifying planning-giving prospects. Outreach, engage, communicate and meet with, and solicit a dynamic stream of post-50th leadership annual giving donors and prospects each year. Arrange phone, virtual and in-person visits with prospects, travelling locally and nationally as needed. Create and maintain a yearly outreach, travel and solicitation schedule. Facilitate prospect handoffs from own stream to major gifts, principal gifts, and gift planning teams as appropriate, with a focus on identifying planning-giving prospects. Other duties as assigned. At least the first 90 days will be on campus, after that the on-campus and remote work schedule will be at the discretion of the supervisor.Hybrid work is only considered for residents of MA, VT, NH, ME, CT, RI, or NY. (Relocation assistance to CT is available for those who qualify). Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of successful fundraising, relationship management, project management, or related experience including working knowledge of annual giving programs in a higher education or secondary school setting. Knowledge of and experience in fundraising and the ability to recognize opportunities, identify critical, high pay-off activities and prioritize them to attain goals. Knowledge of and experience in recruiting, training, motivating, soliciting, and communicating with a donor/volunteer population. Ability to work cooperatively to achieve common goals; support cooperation, collaboration and the sharing of information. Demonstrated ability to accept and implementing new ideas. Demonstrated ability to react and adapting to changing situations appropriately. Proven innovative/strategic, analytic big picture thinker with effective communication skills especially in the digital environment. Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team environment. Ability to travel and to work nights and weekends, as required. Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact openly with individuals of different backgrounds. Preferred Qualifications Experienced fundraiser within an annual giving program Position is open untill filled. For full considersation please apply by October 18, 2024 when first review of applications will begin. As a part of your application please upload a cover letter and resume. Compensation: $61,300 - $72,300 Work Location: Hybrid All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate's completion of a pre-employment background check screening ( to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University. Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator. 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Created: 2024-10-30