Leadership Annual Giving Officer - Hybrid

At Wellesley, our mission is to deliver an outstanding liberal arts education

to women who will make a difference in the world. Our collaborative

community, comprising of faculty, students, staff, and alumnae, is guided by

our shared commitment to educational excellence. Join us in this transformative journey!

When applying for the position, please ensure a thorough review of the job
details. If you are an internal employee, kindly utilize the internal portal on
Workday for your application. Prepare a comprehensive resume/cv and cover
letter for upload. Acceptable formats for these documents are either PDF
(.pdf) or Word (.doc).

Job Posting Title

Leadership Annual Giving Officer - Hybrid

Job Description Summary

Administrative Exempt

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts and Leadership Annual Giving, the Leadership Annual Giving Officer is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a rapidly shifting portfolio of 250-400 alumni, parents, and friends with the capacity to make annual gifts at the leadership level to The Wellesley Fund. This role will focus on increasing both the number of donors and the overall philanthropic support to the college, engaging constituents with varying levels of prior involvement and attachment. Success in this position will require strategic outreach and a nuanced understanding of diverse donor motivations, rapid qualification, and commitment to working with colleagues to identify donors for greater engagement by other Development units. The Leadership Annual Giving Officer will use approved AI tools and software for efficiency and personalization within the portfolio. 

Primary Position Responsibilities:

• Cultivate and solicit Wellesley alumnae, parents, and friends with the capacity to make gifts of $2,500-$100,000 or more to support College priorities and The Wellesley Fund, employing appropriate strategies and tactics in prospect and portfolio management that meet donor interaction and dollar goals.  

• Implement use of AI and emerging technology for the benefit of prospect and donor engagement. Maximize existing database and layered products to create and execute strategies and plans for all constituents in assigned portfolio. Craft compelling and personalized communications that articulate the impact of leadership annual gifts. 

• Collaborate with other frontline colleagues in the department to identify and successfully transition qualified prospects to  Major Gifts, Principal Gifts, and Gift Planning teams. 

• Participate in events on campus, as well as other national and international events as scheduled throughout the year at which alumnae, parents, and friends are present, such as Family & Friends Weekend, Commencement, and Reunion.

Basic Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of front-line fundraising, outreach, sales, or comparable experience

• Experience working with volunteer leaders, prospects and donors a plus

• Comfort with technology needed to communicate and share information confidently, as well as experience with a prospect database or constituent relationship management software

• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the U.S. or its territories and obtain clearance per Wellesley College's Vehicle Use Policy. An Motor Vehicle Record check is required.

Skills and Abilities:

• A commitment to the mission of Wellesley College—to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world—and a desire to embrace Wellesley’s distinct traditions, values, and vision

• Be adept with technology and have a high comfort level learning new tech and incorporating it into your work. 

• Excellent project management skills

• An ability to complete complex tasks and multiple projects simultaneously, working both independently and as a member of a team

• Superior written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills appropriate for engaging prospects and members of the campus community

• Strategic thinking and analytical skills, including an ability to draw informed conclusions from data

• An ability to adapt to changing circumstances

• Comfort with ambiguity and an ability to pivot

• An innovative and creative temperament

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