Senior Director, Annual Giving Programs

Role Overview

• 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.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in educational fundraising or a related field.
• Leadership: Proven track record of managing staff and large-scale, multi-channel projects.
• Financial Oversight: Proven experience managing budgets and accountability for eight figure revenue targets.
• Skills and Abilities: Strategic Architect: Ability to align annual giving with long-term campaign goals and major gift pipelines.
• Modernization & Digital Depth: Expert knowledge of the modern digital landscape, including digital acquisition, peer-to-peer tools, and omni-channel orchestration; ability to work collaboratively across departments (CPA/Marketing) to execute digital initiatives.
• Collaborative Leadership: Ability to navigate a complex institutional environment, specifically partnering with Communications, the Alumnae Association, Fundraising Analytics, and Information Strategy/LTS.
• Analytical Application: Ability to interpret complex data and reports from the Fundraising Analytics team to pivot strategies and improve performance metrics.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation : Experience competitive wages ensuring your dedication is recognized and rewarded.
• Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits, life insurance, disability coverage, and more to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.
• Commuting and Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of free parking on our picturesque campus, easily accessible from major roadways. We are also accessible via the MBTA commuter rail.
• Paid Time Off : Take advantage of paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life harmony.
• Retirement Savings : Plan for the future with our retirement savings plan. Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees
• Work/Life and Wellness: A hybrid work environment for select positions (additional details will be provided during the interview process), caregiving support through Wellthy, legal plan insurance, pet insurance discount and a variety of other resources including retirement planning, and access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
• Professional Development: Enhance your skills and explore growth opportunities through continuing training and pathways for growth within our supportive environment.
• Tuition and Education Benefits : Invest in your education with tuition benefits, and access resources to navigate student loan forgiveness, reinforcing our commitment to your ongoing learning.
• Campus Privileges : Enjoy free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes, Library resources, and seize opportunities to attend diverse campus events that contribute to a vibrant community.