Assistant Director for Annual Giving (Class Management, Reunion Management, Prospect Management)

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.

The present and future are bright for Wesleyan University. Wesleyan is in the quiet phase of the largest comprehensive campaign in the University’s history.

Reporting to the Associate Director for Annual Giving, the Assistant Director is primarily responsible for managing Wesleyan Fund (Annual Fund) fundraising efforts across several alumni classes. This will include coordinating the volunteer efforts of class agents and reunion committees ensuring that these volunteers have the resources needed to effectively solicit classmates for gifts to the Wesleyan Fund.

In addition to class management responsibilities, the Assistant Director will also qualify, cultivate, and solicit a pool of assigned annual giving prospects throughout the country.

Specific responsibilities include:

Class Management:

• Manage and implement solicitation strategies for assigned reunion and non-reunion classes.
• Coordinate class-specific fundraising efforts to engage and solicit unassigned leadership donors in each class.
• Lead class agents to effectively solicit classmates for participation gifts.
• Partner with Alumni and Parent Relations to coordinate class-level engagement opportunities.

Reunion Management:

• Identify, recruit, and manage alumni reunion committees.
• Developing a solicitation strategy to increase dollars and donors raised in honor of the reunion.
• Coordinate reunion fundraising volunteers to solicit and secure multi-year commitments.
• Partner with colleagues in Advancement to innovate and develop class-level engagement; encouraging attendance at Reunion & Commencement Weekend.

Prospect Management:

• Develop and cultivate relationships with an assigned portfolio of annual giving prospects throughout the country.
• Solicit prospects for single- and multi-year commitments, and qualify them for potential as major gift donors, planned gift donors.
• Share relevant news, events, and other engagement touchpoints with prospects.
• Travel to cultivate prospects through in-person meetings.
• Represent Wesleyan in meetings with alumni and parents in one-on-one, group, and event settings, both on and off campus.
• Staff both on and off campus Wesleyan Fund Advancement events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of one year (professional or student experience) of direct or related experience in facilitating events, programming, fundraising, customer service, marketing and outreach, or other related work or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Proven ability to set measurable goals, develop strategies to reach goals, and adhere to timelines.

Experience in engaging individuals through meetings, phone banking, canvassing, or social media to convey organizational needs and priorities, build relationships, and promote business or work.

Ability to effectively guide and educate others to accomplish strategic goals, find positive solutions to nuanced challenges, and maintain a calm demeanor.

Proven ability to engage and interact effectively with diverse
constituents, build effective relationships and serve as an ambassador.

Experience working in a team to achieve shared goals, negotiate and build consensus with others.


Preferred Qualifications
At least one year of experience in direct fundraising, especially higher education fundraising.

Experience soliciting and closing leadership annual gifts.

Experience communicating with and leading groups of volunteers.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Application close date is June 22, 2022
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.