Senior Associate Director

Summary

The Senior Associate Director, Class Giving focuses on developing and promoting a culture of lifelong giving among alumni and oversees programs, initiatives, and staff that drive class giving in Reunion and non-Reunion classes. 

The Senior Associate Director is a relationship manager and front-line fundraiser, responsible for developing philanthropic relationships with an assigned group of prospects and volunteers; qualifying prospective donors, identifying interests and inclination, educating and cultivating, soliciting gifts, and stewarding appropriately. The Senior Associate Director solicits financial support for all of the College’s fundraising priorities. 

They strategize and manage results in 10-15 classes (at least three Reunion classes each year, including the milestone 50^th) and recruit/motivate, train, and support 100+ fundraising volunteers. A working knowledge of gift planning vehicles and strategies is useful when working with these classes. 

In addition to supervising the work of two Assistant Directors and an Administrative Assistant, the Senior Associate Director is a mentor to the entire Skidmore Fund team. They share best practices, foster enthusiasm for the work in support of Skidmore’s mission, and help to build collaborative bridges among Skidmore Fund, Major, Planned, and Principal Gifts colleagues. The Senior Associate Director is a primary sounding board and conversation partner for the Skidmore Fund’s Senior Director. 

Primary Job Duties

Oversee class giving and the programs/initiatives that support this effort, directing the Reunion Giving program as well as the non-Reunion class fundraising effort

• Develops and implements an overall strategic plan, meeting and surpassing related metrics and/or dollar and donor goals
• Class giving provides 65-70% of the Skidmore Fund each year, including the Reunion program. Long term growth for Reunion is expected to reach 25%
• Provides data analysis that helps guide current and future activity
• Collaborates on strategy around print, website, email, and social media outreach
• Works with Alumni Engagement colleagues to conceive engagement opportunities in anticipation of Reunion Weekend 
• Collaborates with Constituent Relations colleagues to further engage alumni through strategic alumni stories/highlights in Advancement materials and the College’s alumni newsletter and print magazine
• Collaborates with the Associate Director, Gift Planning on class-related efforts around planned giving, including recruitment/oversight of class gift planning chairs, management of mailings related to IRA gifts, and marketing planned giving opportunities

Prospect and Volunteer Management: Develops philanthropic relationships with an assigned pool of prospects and volunteers (75+)

• Identifies and cultivates new, capable donors and volunteers 
• Solicits leadership gifts for the Skidmore Fund as well as other College priorities 
• Meets with class leadership and volunteers to recruit, motivate, educate, cultivate, and train them to be effective in their roles 
• Attains and surpasses annual individual fundraising metrics 
• Creates proposals and projections for assigned pool 

Supervisory responsibility:  Manages two Assistant Directors and an Administrative Assistant. These staff members have primary responsibility for class giving and the programs/initiatives that support this effort. 

• Provides mentoring and professional development; one-on-one direction and assists in prioritizing work load
• Supervises their work as relationship managers and supports them in reaching and exceeding their individual annual metrics. Helps them to incorporate Skidmore’s Donor Engagement Process into their work
• Sets priorities, monitors progress, provides regular feedback, and completes annual reviews
• Understands and helps staff navigate the complexity of inner office relationships

Directly supports fundraising in 10-15 classes, including classes celebrating Reunion, and leading milestone 50^th Reunion fundraising. General responsibilities include volunteer recruitment and management, goal setting (both dollars and donors), planning, prospecting, donor cultivation, and direct solicitation of volunteers and other classmates. 

• Develops overall strategy and ensure each class meets and/or surpasses goals. Focus is on managing class leadership, volunteers, and 18-month outreach efforts leading up to Reunion
• Manages key Reunion classes: 50^th, 55^th, 60^th Reunions
• Analyzes class trends and set stretch goals, raise sights, and meet Skidmore Fund needs
• Identifies, recruits, and trains leadership volunteers and class agents. Ensures that volunteers are registered on and utilize the Volunteer Information Portal in their outreach
• Facilitates involvement by providing timely motivation and support, as well as information about campus and Alumni Engagement activities
• Demonstrates proficiency of planned giving options for appropriate classes

Qualifications and Competencies

Education: Bachelor’s degree required 

Experience: 5-8 years of progressively responsible experience working in a fundraising or non-profit organization. Proven track record of developing philanthropic relationships with donors and volunteers. Recruiting and managing volunteers.  

• Strong interpersonal and volunteer management skills
• Combination of major and annual giving experience preferred
• Excellent time management, judgment/decision making, and strong computer skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Works well with varied constituents, including alumni, parents, families, friends, senior leadership, and staff
• Discretion and ability to maintain confidence and confidential material is a must
• Valid Driver's License

Salary range: $80,000 - $90,000

Required documents needed to apply:

• On-line application
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of Three References

EEO STATEMENT

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable post-offer background check result.

CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position