Director of Family Philanthropy and Leadership Annual Giving

College Advancement: Annual Giving
Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

 

Over the past five years, outreach efforts to communicate the value and impact of a Colby education have resulted in more than doubling the number of students seeking admission to Colby and setting several institutional records for funds raised. Major initiatives made possible through Colby’s campaign, Dare Northward, are enriching the student experience and positioning Colby’s home city, Waterville, as a destination for the arts and culture.

 

Propelled by visionary leadership, a compelling array of initiatives, and record fundraising in fiscal year 2017, Colby  launched the largest fundraising campaign ever at a liberal arts college—$750 million—in October 2017. With the success of the Dare Northward campaign, the College will be known for a distinctive set of multidisciplinary academic offerings; an even more cohesive and accessible institutional culture for students from all backgrounds; the foremost art and athletic facilities in the educational sector; a welcoming, thriving, and dynamic surrounding community; increased global connections and resulting perspectives; the richest set of universal student experiences to enhance the Colby academic program; and the capacity to support the postgraduate success of every one of their students.

 

Thus far, more than 24,000 alumni and friends have made donations in support of initiatives such as the downtown Waterville revitalization, academic partnerships, financial aid, and global experiences and internships—collectively raising more than $625 million to date toward the Dare Northward campaign. Colby now ranks as a national leader among the nation’s colleges and universities in alumni giving participation. To learn about the Colby Dare Northward campaign, visit https://darenorthward.colby.edu/.

 

Colby College is seeking a highly motivated director of family philanthropy and leadership annual giving at an exciting and defining moment in Colby’s history. This key position offers a unique opportunity to be part of an ambitious and transformational campaign. Reporting to the senior director of annual giving, the director will manage the solicitation and engagement of leadership-level donors to Colby’s annual fund in support of an $11M+ revenue goal and serve as an active partner and liaison with the leadership annual giving officers team to support Colby Fund engagement with all donors. This position will be responsible for maintaining a portfolio of mid- to high-level prospects and cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding leadership annual gifts. The director will assist in the oversight and development of events, volunteer opportunities, and communications to maximize engagement and philanthropy of all Colby alumni and families. As a highly visible representative of the College, the director will identify and cultivate leadership annual giving volunteers to support peer to peer solicitation and high-touch engagement and stewardship opportunities.

 

The director of family philanthropy and leadership annual giving has comprehensive experience in and an understanding of leadership and annual giving solicitation and of the many ways in which constituents can rely upon and can contribute to the College. The successful candidate has a deep appreciation for the liberal arts college experience and a strong personal commitment to Colby’s core values. The director oversees and directs three professional staff members. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a pool of 100-150 alumni and families with the capacity to make gifts of $2,500-$100,000; responsible for a comprehensive moves management strategy for prospects through the processes of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Supervise three staff members who manage annual leadership giving for key populations and their corresponding volunteer and engagement structures (1813 Society, Parents Executive Committee, and Athletics). Develop campaigns and strategies to encourage annual leadership support of the Dare Northward campaign and the Colby Fund
• Partner with the senior director of annual giving to enhance Colby Fund giving efforts in support of revenue and participation goals
• Collaborate with the director of leadership gifts as well as the prospect research and analysis, donor relations, and leadership gifts teams to develop leadership annual giving solicitation priorities and strategies
• Identify additional points of evaluation, metrics, and analyses necessary for the assessment and management of Colby's leadership annual giving donors
• Meet a minimum of 200 prospects each fiscal year achieving annual personal and team revenue goals
• Create opportunities to engage the president, trustees, visitors, annual leadership volunteers including 1813 Society, Parents Executive Committee, and Athletics, faculty, and staff members in the cultivation and the solicitation of current and potential donors
• Support engagement goals by attending events as needed
• Explore opportunities and build programs for international alumni and family engagement and annual leadership giving that align with institutional interests and priorities as well as assessment for major giving support from international families
• Build strong personal relationships with alumni, parents, and friends as well as key faculty and staff partners; travel frequently to serve as an ambassador for Colby, advocate and be a spokesperson for leadership support, develop relationships, support events and solicit gifts as appropriate
• Work closely with prospect research and analysis team to identify and suggest management for leadership annual giving prospects all incoming family prospects
• Participate in professional development training offered by the College, Division of College Advancement, and professional associations to enhance expertise and skills
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
• At least 5 years fundraising experience in a college, university, or similar setting with success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing annual and major gift solicitations
• Previous supervisory experience preferred
• Superb verbal and written communication skills
• Able to meet multiple simultaneous deadlines with an attention to detail
• Prior experience working with staff and volunteers, the ability to manage complex relationships, and proven collaboration and teamwork skills in a diverse community to leverage activities, initiatives, and programs for multiple purposes
• Understanding of the Moves Management process and ability to think and work strategically
• Proficiency with fundraising/alumni relations databases and technology
• Willingness to travel and to work hours outside the normal working day (i.e. nights and weekends)
• Appreciation of Colby’s mission and the ability to effectively communicate it
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, establish priorities, and work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community
• An entrepreneurial spirit and a positive attitude

• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements

 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to the senior director of annual giving, the director will have direct contact with the assistant vice president for college advancement, director of leadership gifts, vice president and chief institutional advancement officer, chief campaign officer, president, trustees, senior administration, key faculty, and staff members across campus. The position also requires interaction with students, visitors, and outside constituencies.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Ability to move around campus and interact with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external constituencies regularly is crucial. Travel and work outside of normal business hours are required.

 

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:

 

Director of Family Philanthropy and Leadership Annual Giving - Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME  04901-8855