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Director of Leadership Annual Giving
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Position Number: 2637628
Location: Worcester, MA
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

JOB TITLE
Director of Leadership Annual Giving

LOCATION
Worcester

DEPARTMENT NAME
Annual Giving

DIVISION NAME
Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Lifetime Engagement, the Director of Leadership Annual Giving is a front-facing gift officer responsible for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Leadership Annual Giving prospects and donors, to secure annual gifts and develop a pipeline of leadership donors and volunteers. The Director will manage projects and initiatives that focus on engaging supporters and ambassadors of the University, and provide leadership and develop strategies for engagement and philanthropy with a particular focus on President's Circle donors, reunion classes, and diverse alumni populations.

WPI is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We are looking for candidates who can support our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Applicants must have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and/or commitment to do so as an employee at WPI.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities:

Manage a portfolio of 75-100 prospects capable of making annual leadership gifts of $2,000 to $25,000. Cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects through personal visits and other forms of engagement to secure annual gifts and achieve Annual Giving goals. Participate in individual portfolio reviews and group sessions related to prospect management and strategy; promptly submit contact reports and other essential follow-up to donor interactions.
Work creatively, thoughtfully, and strategically to grow membership in the President's Circle, WPI's leadership annual giving society, and move donors through the pipeline to the highest levels of annual giving. Collaborate with WPI front-line fundraisers to review current and potential President's Circle donors to renew and build membership.
Conduct discovery and qualification visits with annual giving donors, generating referrals for volunteer leadership, major gifts, and planned gifts as appropriate.
Solicit alumni as part of targeted Annual Giving initiatives aimed at increasing alumni participation, e.g., LYBUNT renewal, recurring gift renewal and upgrades, year-end giving, and securing challenge donors for fundraising challenges.
As assigned, manage fundraising campaigns for class and group-based fundraising initiatives. Develop and implement fundraising strategies based on data analysis and proven tactics designed to maximize revenue and donor participation. Manage volunteer fundraising committees, and work with volunteers to achieve committee goals. Strengthen volunteer teams through training, management, and communication.
Collaborate with colleagues in Lifetime Engagement and Events & Communications to engage alumni in reunion years. Manage the reunion committee for a milestone reunion class, working with volunteers to encourage engagement and philanthropy from classmates.
Develop and execute strategies to deepen engagement with WPI among diverse alumni populations, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ alumni. Partner with volunteer leaders from WPI's Alumni of Color Association to expand volunteer advocacy and involvement in supporting key campus priorities, and foster connections between alumni, students, and the university.
Oversee cultivation and stewardship initiatives of the Crimson Crew, WPI's volunteer recognition program. Develop and mobilize an active, engaged, and diverse base of volunteers in support of Lifetime Engagement programs, through personal contacts and ongoing relationship management; manage development and delivery of ongoing volunteer communications, training opportunities, and stewardship activities.
Serve as an advocate for WPI. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of the division and the university.
Carry out other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree required.
Minimum of 6 years progressively responsible experience in Annual Giving or a related field. Direct fundraising experience preferred.
Volunteer management experience preferred; proven ability to collaborate with, inspire, and motivate diverse constituencies.
Demonstrated oral and written communications skills. Comfortable and proficient in public speaking.
Ability to work well as a member of a team and to collaborate effectively with colleagues in other university departments.
Excellent organizational skills with track record of setting priorities, managing multiple responsibilities, and meeting deadlines.
Ability to apply good judgement; tact and discretion is required to deal with highly confidential information.
Some evening and weekend work is required, as well as travel in the New England region.

Please include a cover letter with your resume for consideration.

WPI requires employees to be fully-vaccinated for COVID-19. For additional information on WPI's response to COVID-19, refer to https://www.wpi.edu/we-are-wpi.

FLSA STATUS
United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. We are seeking individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity and collaboration, inclusion, problem solving and change making.

To apply, visit: https://wpi.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WPI_External_Career_Site/job/Worcester/Director--Alumni-Engagement-and-Philanthropy_R0001622

About WPI
WPI is a vibrant, active, and diverse community of extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, and state of the art research facilities. At WPI, we have competitive and comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, long-term care, retirement, tuition assistance, flexible spending accounts, work-life balance and much more.

Diversity & Inclusion at WPI
WPI is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected; a place where every student, faculty and staff member can be themselves, so that they can study, live, and work comfortably, to reach their full potential, and make meaningful contributions in order to meet departmental and institutional goals. WPI thrives on innovative practice and welcomes diverse perspectives, insight, and people from diverse lived experiences, to enhance the community environment and propel the institution to the next level in a competitive, global marketplace.