Senior Director, Annual Giving Programs - Hybrid

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Job Posting Title

Senior Director, Annual Giving Programs - Hybrid

Job Description Summary

Administrative Exempt

Job Description

The Senior Director, Annual Giving Programs is the chief architect and strategist for Wellesley College’s annual fundraising ecosystem. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Development and Campaign Director, the Senior Director provides visionary leadership for a comprehensive program that secures essential unrestricted and current-use support. This role is responsible for the design, execution, and continuous optimization of a multi-channel operation that engages alumnae and friends to support Wellesley’s mission: to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world.

The Senior Director holds explicit accountability for meeting and forecasting annual revenue goals ($12M+) and overseeing the strategic growth of the donor pipeline. A high-priority mandate is to drive participation among young alumnae (2010s/2020s) and ensure annual giving strategies are seamlessly integrated with broader Campaign priorities. Leading a high-performing team focused on volunteer management and frontline fundraising, the Senior Director serves as a key bridge-builder with the Wellesley College Alumnae Association (WCAA) and Communications and Public Affairs (CPA).
 

Primary Position Responsibilities:

Revenue Accountability & Strategic Growth:

• Direct ownership of annual dollar and participation goals. Responsible for revenue forecasting and the design of multi-year strategies to reverse national participation trends, with a specific focus on the 2010s and 2020s cohorts.

Reunion Giving & Campaign Alignment:

• Lead the overarching strategy for Reunion Giving, ensuring annual fund goals are aligned with broader Campaign priorities and Major Gift objectives. Drive strategy for milestone reunions to maximize both immediate revenue and long-term donor lifetime value.

Omni-Channel Strategy & Digital Depth:

• Lead a sophisticated omni-channel approach with an emphasis on digital acquisition, peer-to-peer fundraising, SMS, and the adoption of emerging technologies to emphasize modernization. Serve as a key strategic partner to CPA and Development Marketing in the design of Giving Day.

Team Leadership & Volunteer Management:

• Supervise a team of frontline fundraisers and support staff. Oversee high-level volunteer recruitment and training, fostering a culture of high-stakes results and professional mentorship.

Data-Informed Strategy:

• Partner with the Fundraising Analytics team to translate data-driven insights and models into actionable fundraising tactics. Incorporate provided analytics to identify leadership prospects and refine segmentation strategies.

Budget & Vendor Coordination:

• Manage the Annual Giving departmental budget and maintain relationships with external direct response agencies. Coordinate with LTS and the AVP of Information Strategy and Operations on technology-related vendor partnerships and platform integrations.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position supervises up to three frontline fundraisers and up to three annual fund coordinators, in addition to an administrative assistant

Basic Qualifications:

• Educatio