Associate Director for Annual Giving

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.

Position Details
The Office of Advancement builds lifelong relationships with alumni, parents, and friends, and engages them in support of Wesleyan’s educational mission and financial goals. Wesleyan University is currently in the quiet/leadership phase of a comprehensive fundraising campaign.

The Advancement team fosters pride in the Wesleyan community and develops support for university initiatives through outreach activities, including development/fundraising, alumni & parent relations, and both on- and off-campus events. Reporting to the Director for Annual Giving, the Associate Director will be responsible for maintaining and expanding the milestone 50th Reunion giving program. Specific responsibilities include:

• Leading each year’s 50th reunion program and developing programs for classes between the 45th and 50th reunion to culminate in a successful 50th reunion.
• Cultivating and coordinating volunteer efforts for all the reunion years between the 45th and 50th reunions.
• Support and recruit Class Agents in non-reunion years to maximize peer-to-peer fundraising for non-reunion classes.
• Working with class agents and other volunteers approaching their milestone reunions to create and support fundraising initiatives.
• Creating and implementing programing that leverages alumni excitement and increases the connection to Wesleyan while maximizing class giving and participation.
• Supervise an Assistant Director for Annual Giving who will work with the Associate Director to ensure all key goals and core responsibilities are met.
• Work with volunteers to draft class-specific fundraising communications that utilize segmentation and other data-driven techniques to ensure communications are personalized and timely.
• Working in collaboration with members of Advancement, Gift Planning, and other areas across the University, oversee the post-50th program, including management of class-level fundraising volunteers and ensuring post-50th solicitations include a planned giving component.
• Provide periodic briefing materials for the Board of Trustees.
• Work closely with Majors Gifts to ensure high-level prospects are engaged and solicited for multi-year commitments.
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional fundraising experience or similar experience in related field or a combination of educational experience. Proven track record of program management and development. Demonstrated ability to engage individuals and articulate institutional needs, while exercising discretion and maintaining confidentiality. Ability to work effectively with volunteers, colleagues, and various constituencies nationally. Proven ability to set goals, and to develop strategies and timelines to complete projects and reach goals. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with a solutions-based and innovative approach while working with varied personalities and work styles.
Excellent writing skills, with the ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources. Intermediate Microsoft Word and Excel skills. Ability to work some evening and weekend, as well as overnight travel.
Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact collegially with individuals of different backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience managing key volunteers.

Experience with virtual program development and technology platforms

Experience soliciting and closing leadership annual or major gifts.


Special Instructions to Applicants
Application close date is November 5
Additional Information
Any and 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 requires all employees to be vaccinated against Covid 19 unless they meet the criteria for a medical or religious exemption. New employees must be vaccinated prior to their start date. If an employee needs an exemption for medical or religious reasons, they must submit a request to Wesleyan and be approved before their start date

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: Alison Williams, Vice President for Equity & Inclusion/ Title IX Officer, 860-685-3927, awilliams@wesleyan.edu.