Associate Director of Alumni Engagement & Development Operations
The Associate Director of Alumni Engagement & Development Operations is a key role within Watkinson School’s Development Office. Reporting to the Director of Development, this position is focused on strategic development efforts, driving alumni engagement, grant research and applications, and overall fundraising initiatives. This individual plays a crucial role in cultivating and stewarding relationships with alumni, parents, families, and other constituents to support Watkinson’s mission and long-term sustainability. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in nonprofit fundraising and development, with a proven track record of success in annual giving, alumni relations, grant writing, donor stewardship, and database management.
Key Responsibilities:
- Fundraising Strategy and Planning:
- Develop and implement comprehensive annual fundraising strategies to achieve revenue goals and support institutional priorities.
- Create and execute targeted fundraising campaigns, including annual appeals, fundraising pages, and major gift initiatives, to engage donors and solicit support for key programs and initiatives.
- Utilize data-driven insights and analysis to inform fundraising strategies, identify prospective donors, and track progress towards fundraising goals.
- Alumni Relations:
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with school alumni through targeted outreach, events, and communications initiatives.
- Develop and implement strategies to increase alumni engagement and participation in school activities and volunteer opportunities.
- Broaden and enhance the Alumni Relations Committee, as well as other stakeholders, to enhance alumni programming and foster a sense of pride and connection among alumni community members.
- Donor Stewardship:
- Serve as a primary point of contact for donors, providing personalized stewardship and recognition to cultivate lasting relationships.
- Assist with donor meetings, phone calls, and written communications to express gratitude, provide updates on impact, and solicit ongoing support.
- Assist with the implementation of stewardship plans for major donors, ensuring regular communication and engagement opportunities tailored to donor interests and preferences.
- Grant Writing and Management:
- Conduct prospect research to identify grant funding opportunities from local, regional, and national foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
- Develop compelling grant proposals and applications, articulating the school's mission, programs, and impact to secure grant funding in support of institutional priorities.
- Manage grant reporting requirements and stewardship activities to maintain positive relationships with grant funders and fulfill grant obligations.
- Fundraising Events:
- In collaboration with the Development Events Manager, assist with the planning, execution, and evaluation of fundraising events, including alumni reunions, donor appreciation events, and cultivation receptions.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders, volunteers, and vendors to ensure seamless event logistics and maximize donor engagement and participation.
- Communications and Database Management:
- Create and write regular communications with constituents to keep them informed of ongoing activities and accomplishments within the school.
- Utilize database systems such as Raiser's Edge NXT, Bloomerang, Salesforce, or DonorPerfect to manage donor records, track engagement, and generate reports for analysis and decision-making.
- Ensure data integrity and compliance with privacy regulations by maintaining accurate and up-to-date donor information in the database.
- Board Relations:
- Collaborate with the Board of Trustees and relevant committees to advance fundraising and alumni relations goals, providing support, guidance, and strategic input as needed.
- Work on Board of Trustee committees related to development, alumni relations, and fundraising events, facilitating meetings, setting agendas, and driving progress towards established objectives.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, communications, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, alumni relations, or related fields.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing annual fundraising strategies, including annual appeals and solicitation of major gifts.
- Proven experience in alumni relations, donor stewardship, and event planning, with a focus on building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Experience in grant writing, including identifying, defining and developing funding sources to support existing and planned program activities as well as lead the development, writing, and submission of grant proposals to federal, state, and private funding agencies.
- Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and effectively communicate the school's mission and impact to donors and stakeholders.
- Experience working with database systems such as Raiser's Edge NXT, Bloomerang, Salesforce, or DonorPerfect, with a strong understanding of data management best practices and privacy regulations.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, volunteers, Board members, donors, and external partners.
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
The Associate Director of Alumni Engagement & Development Operations plays a critical role in advancing the school's mission and strategic priorities through effective fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship initiatives. This individual will contribute to the overall success and sustainability of the institution by fostering meaningful relationships, implementing strategic fundraising strategies, and ensuring the effective management of development operations and communications efforts.
Watkinson School is an equal opportunity employer and an open and affirming community. We seek candidates of diverse backgrounds. Qualified candidates, please send a letter of interest, resume, and a list of no fewer than three references