Assistant Director of Advancement Services

Summary:

The Assistant Director of Development oversees various advancement and fundraising operations of William James College (WJC). These responsibilities include individual donor prospect identification and stewardship, developing and expanding WJC’s Alumni Relations and Annual Giving programs, and maintaining the College’s Blackbaud Raiser's Edge database in concert with other Institutional Advancement team members. This position will work closely with other Institutional Advancement colleagues–particularly the VP of Business Development and Strategy–as well as the Marketing and Communications team. As a visible and reliable point of contact and resource to WJC leadership, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders, this position is fundamental to helping WJC fulfill its mission and achieve its strategic goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Creatively identify and qualify new, potential, individual donors.

• Manage the stewardship of, and relationships with, current supporters of the College (e.g., sending acknowledgement letters, processing gifts through–and generally coordinating with–the WJC Controller).

• Work closely with and support WJC colleagues (e.g., Career Services, Field Placement, Academic Departments, “Centers of Excellence”, and Continuing Education) to develop, expand, and manage an active alumni relations network.

• Develop and implement creative ways to grow Annual Fund participation rates and total giving by alumni, other WJC stakeholders (trustees, friends, students/parents, faculty/staff, Continuing Education participants), and businesses.

• Develop and manage available mechanisms (e.g., Alumni eNewsletter, LinkedIn group) to facilitate increased Alumni and WJC stakeholder engagement.

• Work closely with Marketing & Communications – and other WJC colleagues, as needed – to support or help develop public relations and social media campaigns that advance and grow the Alumni Relations and Annual Giving programs, respectively.

• Develop, manage, and/or support programs (e.g. speaker series, admissions/recruitment activities, alumni mentor programs, class or academic program reunions, affinity groups, etc.) that meaningfully engage alumni and other WJC stakeholders.

• Play an active role–in coordination with other Institutional Advancement team members–in maintaining current alumni, prospect, and donor contact information in WJC’s Blackbaud Raiser's Edge database.

• Create and manage written appeals in support of the Annual Fund.

• Develop Alumni Relations and Annual Giving materials to be used by the president, trustees, other institutional leaders, and WJC stakeholders for meetings, visits, or individual contacts.

• Serve as the principal administrator for all aspects of Blackbaud Raiser's Edge with an eye toward efficiency and effectiveness.

• Enter data into Blackbaud Raiser's Edge on a timely basis for prospect tracking purposes while also considering ease of search-ability.

• Create, run and analyze standard reports agreed upon by advancement team and others.

• Create, run and analyze ad hoc reports as needed by advancement team and others.

• Conduct and synthesize research on individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations

• Participate in the planning and execution of advancement-related events.

• Submit timely and detailed contact reports for prospect and donor visits.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and three-plus years of successful experience with Alumni Relations and/or Annual Giving, preferably in higher education. Five-plus years of relevant experience (e.g., database and/or philanthropic donor prospect management) will be considered in lieu of direct experience with alumni relations and/or annual giving.

• Superior organizational skills and proactivity are critically important.