Position Purpose:

The Whitman College Office of Development and Alumni Relations raises over $15 million annually in gifts and pledges from alumni, parents, and friends, and the Office of Annual Giving sustains an alumni participation rate of over 30%. Related to the strategic initiatives of Whitman College, this position will focus on increasing the participation rate and dollars raised from alumni and parents.

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving is charged with increasing and retaining support from Whitman College alumni and parents through annual gifts to the College, particularly among graduates within the last five years. Throughout the academic year, the Assistant Director will also manage Whitman’s phonathon and student philanthropy programs, carrying out all projects relating to phone solicitation as well as student and young alumni giving. Focused on the engagement of young alumni as well as the use of technology and data analysis to increase alumni participation, this position reports to the Associate Director of Annual Giving and will assist in staffing other areas of Annual Giving as needed.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Manages all aspects of the phonathon program, including implementation of calling segments, all phonathon donor correspondence, management of phonathon software, and management of phonathon student workers.
  • Phonathon programming occurs Sunday through Wednesday throughout the academic year.
• Implements cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and engagement for young alumni using email, social media, mail, texting, and calling.
  • Works in partnership with the Office of Annual Giving to implement an annual calendar and operating plan targeted for young alumni.
  • Identifies, recruits, trains, and manages volunteers, including class representatives and associate class representatives for young alumni. On an as needed basis, partners with the Alumni Office to assist in their outreach to young alumni and recruitment of volunteers for regional events as well as the 5th and 10th reunions.
• Oversees and directs the Senior Fund Campaign and student philanthropy programs on campus.
  • This includes the tracking and solicitation of seniors to meet goal of the Annual Giving Office, as well as working with students to plan and manage events related to student philanthropy and days of giving.
  • This position collaborates with the Alumni Office on the Future Alumni Leadership Council (FALC) to promote a culture of philanthropy.
• Completes other duties as assigned by the Associate Director of Annual Giving, such as 1:1 end of year solicitations, days of giving, staffing reunion events, etc. Annually evaluates the assigned activities and programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree required. Candidates should be familiar with and able to communicate the value of a residential liberal arts and sciences education. Experience with fundraising is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

Individuals must be able to communicate and demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• This position’s regular working schedule includes evening and weekends. Willingness to work evenings and weekends is a must.
• Interest with fundraising work and experience with annual giving programs is preferred.
• Strong communication skills required.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to manage competing deadlines and simultaneous projects with attention to detail and without daily oversight.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to create strong partnerships and relationships with internal and external college constituents, including volunteers, staff and students.
• Tenacity to follow up with these constituents.
• Ability to supervise a large group of students with varying needs and abilities.
• Experience and knowledge of common software programs, social media, and other online tools, paired with the ability to learn new programs quickly and provide technical support to other users. Experience with databases is a plus.
• The ability to analyze and utilize data to make data-driven decisions that inform new initiatives and shape strategies.
• Self-motivated to accomplish goals and objectives to improve Annual Giving programs.
• Maintain high level of confidentiality.

Work Hours

Full-time position. During the academic year this position will work Sunday afternoons and Monday/Tuesday evenings.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Whitman College is building a diverse academic community and welcomes nominations of and applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring additional dimensions to the College’s learning environment. Whitman is responsive to the needs of dual career couples. Whitman College is an EEO employer.