Assistant/Associate Director of Leadership Gifts

Apr 30

Anticipated Start Date: TBD

Description

Reporting to the Senior Director of Leadership Gifts, The Assistant/Associate Director of Leadership Gifts has primary responsibility for qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of current and potential donors. This position will be assigned specific regional territories and will work independently and with other members of Advancement, campus partners, faculty, and high-level volunteers to create and implement plans that result in the acquisition and retention of major gifts from individual donors. Vassar launched its $500 million Fearlessly Consequential: A Campaign for our Collective Future in October 2022.

Now 75 percent toward our goal, the Office of Advancement is seeking two Associate or Assistant Directors of Leadership Gifts (Leadership Gifts Officers) to help bring the campaign to a successful conclusion over the next two years and to develop a pipeline of prospective donors for post-campaign priorities. The team helped achieve the College's largest-ever fundraising total last year and we are poised for continued success. We are now excited to bring new creative leadership gift officers to work with our alums across the country. Compensation

The starting annual base salary range is $91,700- $130,000. When extending an offer, Vassar College considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, budget, and other market and organizational considerations. The starting salary range represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting.

Responsibilities

Independently raise financial support for the College through careful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship from a pool of prospects who have the ability to make leadership-level gifts in both current funding and through deferred gifts.
Seek and maintain consistent support for the Vassar Fund at levels between $1,500 and $50,000 each year from the majority of prospects in the gift officer's portfolio.
Travel 7-10 days each month on behalf of the College to meet with current and prospective donors. Responsible for management of travel budget.
Work collaboratively with other members of the Advancement team to identify, qualify, cultivate, research, and solicit prospective and current donors.
Work collaboratively with other members of the Vassar community including faculty and campus constituents to raise money in support of programs and campaign priorities.
Work closely with senior management, the President, members of the Board of Trustees, and other alum leadership committees.
Create opportunities to conduct face-to-face meetings from an assigned portfolio of approximately 175 current and prospective prospects and donors.
Follow up all donor or prospective contacts with meticulous, thoughtful, and appropriate correspondence and maintain internal record-keeping as defined by office protocols.
Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of Vassar College, its history, people, programs, initiatives, and current priorities.
Attend and support engagement and donor relations activities related to assigned responsibilities.
Understand and meet department standards, policies, and procedures with respect to all aspects of the work.
Work certain weekends throughout the year (Reunion, some Regional Program events, various campus events, etc.).
Perform additional responsibilities as delegated to support the operations of the department.

Requirements

Required knowledge, skills and abilities

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience developing authentic relationships with constituents.
Experience in closing major gifts with individuals.
Must be an independent self-starter and possess effective decision making skills.
Organized workflow process and careful attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Suite Office products.
Understanding and experience with a CRM database.
Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to relate comfortably with people of diverse profiles, interests, and backgrounds.
Ability to travel frequently; a valid driver's license.

Preferable knowledge, skills and abilities

Minimum of five years of relevant experience.
Experience with and understanding of a four-year institution of higher education.
A solid track record of success in fundraising, financial services, marketing/sales, or educational management.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$91,700- $130,000

How to Apply for this Job

Apply Now

About the Organization

Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion and respect for difference. Vassar College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, and applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged. Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus.

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