Assistant Director of the Skidmore Fund

Summary

The Assistant Director of the Skidmore Fund works to develop and promote a culture of lifelong giving to Skidmore among key constituents of the College. They are responsible for managing annual fund strategies and results (dollars and donors) for Young Alumni and Senior Class cohorts. Duties include developing and implementing the overall strategic plan for assigned programs, setting and meeting key goals and metrics, directing select stewardship initiatives, and helping to manage young alumni volunteers. In addition, the Assistant Director manages the fundraising efforts for two key reunion classes: the 5th and 10th reunions as well as Skidmore’s Senior Class Gift fundraising effort. Collaboration is very important in this role as the Assistant Director works closely with colleagues in the Skidmore Fund and Alumni Relations on building relationships and increasing young alumni participation. Finally, they will develop relationships with an assigned group of alumni volunteers and prospective donors; identifying capacity, interests, and inclination, educating and cultivating these individuals, soliciting gifts, and stewarding donors and volunteers appropriately.

The Assistant Director of the Skidmore Fund will be required to travel throughout the year, as needed.

Primary Job Duties

• The Assistant Director is responsible for overseeing Skidmore’s young alumni giving program for the Skidmore Fund, including management of the overall program, coordination of an effort that involves multiple staff and programs within the Advancement team.

• Develops overall strategy and annual work plan, ensuring the programs meets or exceeds annual goals.

• Analyzes trends and best practices in young alumni giving to strengthen and grow Skidmore’s efforts

• Serves as primary contact for Alumni Board, Chair of Young Alumni Giving

• Partners with class managers to manage the relationship with class fundraising chairs

• Facilitates involvement by providing volunteers timely reporting of progress of the program and their own solicitation efforts

• Works closely with Operations team to develop accurate and timely reporting

• Collaborates with Major Gifts team, Gift Planning, Alumni Relations and College Events, Parent and Family Giving, Donor Engagement and Stewardship, as well as Advancement Operations staff.

1. Responsible for directly supporting fundraising in two key reunion classes assigned classes. General responsibilities include volunteer recruitment and management, developing relationships, goal setting (both dollars and donors), planning, prospecting, donor cultivation, and direct solicitation as necessary.

• Develop overall strategy and ensuring each class meets and surpasses individual donor and dollar goals. Focus is on managing class leadership, volunteers, and 12-month outreach efforts leading up to Reunion.

• Manage and staff key Reunion classes: 5th and 10th Reunions.

• Analyze class trends and profiles and set stretch goals for dollars and donors, raise sights, and meet Skidmore Fund needs.

• Identify, recruit, and train class leadership volunteers and class agents.

• Train volunteers and encourage their use of the Volunteer Information Portal to facilitate their outreach to classmates and streamline their fundraising activities.

• Facilitate involvement by providing volunteers with timely class reports, as well as information about campus and Alumni Relations activities.

1. Responsible for developing philanthropic relationships with an assigned group of volunteers and prospects (75+); identifying capacity, interests, and inclination, educating and cultivating these individuals, soliciting gifts, and stewarding donors and volunteers appropriately.

• Personally visit with class leadership and volunteers to recruit, motivate, educate, cultivate, and train them to serve effectively in their assigned roles

• Identify and cultivate new, capable donors and volunteers

• Solicit Young Alumni P.S. gifts for the Skidmore Fund as well as other College priorities.

• Set goals and projections for overall dollars raised and participation from assigned pool

1. Develops and executes an annual giving effort focused on Skidmore’s Senior Class Gift.

• Create an annual plan and calendar to educate and solicit members of the senior class for gifts through the Skidmore Fund prior to graduation

• Identify, recruit, and train Senior Gift Chairs and committee members-work in partnership with them throughout the year to meet or exceed goals.

• Provide data analysis that guides current and future activity.

• Develop meaningful stewardship opportunities to help Skidmore students and recent grads feel recognized for their financial gifts in addition to their professional contributions.

• Work closely with appropriate departments as needed: Office of Communications, Student Life, Alumni Relations, etc.

Qualifications and Competencies

Education: Bachelor’s degree required

Experience: 1-3 years of increasing, directly related or applicable experience.

• Fundraising within a higher education or non-profit setting.

• Recruiting, developing, and motivating volunteers.

• Willingness to personally develop philanthropic relationships with prospective donors and volunteers.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Organization ability and interpersonal skills.

• comfort with handling multiple projects simultaneously.

Salary Range: $63,000 - $68,000

Required documents needed to apply:

• On-line application

• Cover Letter

• Resume

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

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position

Equal Employment Opportunity 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.

CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.