Position Purpose:

The Associate Director plays a key role on the Annual Giving team and is responsible for the annual fundraising campaigns for both Reunion and non-Reunion classes by managing effective volunteer committees, assisting with communications and solicitation strategy, and soliciting a slate of annual leadership giving prospects in person or via Zoom.

Job Duties:

• Manage the volunteer-driven fundraising campaigns for 10-15 classes including the Reunion Gift Committees for 2-3 Reunion classes. Recruit lead volunteers and develop inspiring but achievable goals for each class with the purpose of increasing giving and participation to the college – primarily to the Bates Fund.
• Oversee 2-3 Reunion social committees. Recruit lead volunteers and develop inspiring but achievable goals for each class with the purpose of increasing participation and class pride around the respective Reunion classes.
• Increase the percentage of the Bates Fund that comes from Mount David Society giving and from Reunion classes by managing a pool of 20-40 assigned annual giving leadership prospects. Work with AVP and, as appropriate, the Research team to move this cohort through prospect discovery and set a yearly personalized schedule for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for these individuals. Refer members of this pool for the managed prospect pool, as appropriate.
• As team staffing demands, directly supervise one to two Assistant Directors.
• Coordinate and lead 2-3 conference calls per class per year, provide updates and reports on a monthly basis, review agent/committee activity and success on a monthly basis, steward and thank all fundraising volunteers.
• Spend 1-2 days per month traveling to visit with volunteers and donors both at events and through individual and joint meetings.
• Oversee projects and communications relating to segments of our alumni and donor populations for the Bates Fund. Identify, analyze, and interpret trends or patterns in donor behavior data to improve effectiveness of solicitation strategies.
• Work with colleagues in Leadership Gifts, Planned Giving, Alumni Engagement, and Donor Programs to develop new and successful ways of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, particularly as they come into their Reunion year.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience

• 3-5 years of experience working in education or an organization of comparable complexity and scale preferred.
• 3-5 years of volunteer management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate donor or client relationships.
• Demonstrated track record of progressive achievement in fundraising or related metrics-driven environment.

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a highly organized way with minimal supervision.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain relationships. Must be flexible, collaborative and have a positive attitude.
• Strong communication skills (written, verbal and presentation). The ability to convey complex issues and lead group discussions.
• Excellent analytical problem-solving skills; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information and experience working with complex data sets.
• Ability to remain composed and friendly and to demonstrate poise under stress while working in a deadline-driven environment.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings, and other non-traditional schedules.
• Personal commitment to excellence and the mission of a top-tier small liberal arts college.

Benefits:  

Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke-free workplace.