Located in the historic community of http://www.wallawalla.org/, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

http://whitman.edu/ is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

Annual Giving Office: 

The Office of Annual Giving educates alumni, families, friends, staff/faculty and current students about the importance of the six focus areas of The Whitman Fund: Greatest Need; Scholarships & Student Aid; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Internships; Sustainability and Academic Excellence. This position will collaborate with colleagues campus-wide to build a strong culture of philanthropy throughout the Whitman community.

Position Purpose: 

The Director of Annual Giving leads Whitman College’s annual giving program focused on alumni, parents, faculty/staff, and other supporters of Whitman. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Director develops and implements annual plans for reaching dollar and donor goals; manages, mentors and guides staff; and collaborates with colleagues on the development team and across campus in advancing the mission of Whitman College.

Principal Accountabilities: 

• Lead, motivate, and mentor the Annual Giving staff toward increasing financial support of The Whitman Fund.
• Grow the alumni donor pool with attention toward both donor retention and donor acquisition, especially among recent graduates.
• Create goals and plans to achieve targets for dollars raised and donor participation in conjunction with the VP and AVP for Development. Monitor activity toward goals and report on progress.
• Design and implement comprehensive multi-channel solicitations with direct mail, telemarketing, email, social media, texting, and personal solicitation to increase alumni participation and build the base of donors, including alumni, parents, and friends of Whitman College. Partner with the Office of Communications on large projects such as anchor mailings and Give Day campaigns.
• In consultation with the AVP, prepare a budget and annual operating plan to maximize the effectiveness of annual giving efforts. Participate in the leadership and development of policies and procedures relating to the development program, annual fund materials and annual fund recognition.
• Work collaboratively with members of the Athletics Department and Development Office to support the W Club via solicitations and stewardship, including the annual give day.
• Provide strategic leadership in designing and implementing programs needed to sustain an annual giving effort. Coordinate with Major Gifts and Gift Planning colleagues for donor upgrades, Reunion fundraising efforts, and securing significant unrestricted gifts.
• Work with Advancement Services to ensure accurate donor segmentation, results reporting and coordination of efforts with other colleagues.
• Develop and enhance meaningful volunteer experiences for alumni and family volunteers by providing relevant information and through stewardship/recognition of volunteer roles. Train and support volunteers (through Volunteer Summit or other vehicles).
• Use software such as Blackbaud’s Fundraiser Performance Management to record activity, relevant conversations and other contact, as well as project management platforms such as Asana and Wrike.
• Serve as a member of the Development and Alumni Relations Senior Team to collaborate and support all programs facilitating the investment and engagement of alumni, parents, and friends in the life and mission of the College.

Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Highly motivated, goal-oriented self-starter with strict adherence to timelines. Ability to be flexible in working in a fast-paced environment with numerous deadlines and pressures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with an attention to detail.
• Demonstrated history of collaboration with colleagues with an ability to independently execute. Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with volunteers, staff members, administrators, and faculty.
• Skill in developing and implementing long-term solicitation cycles, with separate strategies for donor retention, acquisition, and upgrades. Background of proactively creating, developing, or enhancing fundraising programs in creative or unique ways.
• Understanding of the value of a residential liberal arts and sciences education.
• Desire to actively and positively contribute to Whitman’s core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the Development and Alumni Relations Department’s values of integrity, trust, respect, collaboration, accountability and inclusion.
• Familiarity with and ability to learn relevant technology platforms to prepare reports and other written documents using spreadsheets, databases, and project management programs.
• Discretion in dealing with confidential information and demonstrated willingness to uphold high ethical standards.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five years of non-profit fundraising or equivalent experience.
• Experience in successfully managing individual staff and/or leading project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current valid driver’s license and insurable under Whitman’s liability policy.

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

Working Conditions: 

• Occasional evenings and weekends, including but not limited to Reunion, Family Weekend, Volunteer Summit, Give Day, and end of fiscal year outreach.
• Infrequent travel.

Benefits: 

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Learn more about benefits eligibility https://www.whitman.edu/human-resources/benefits.

Disability Accommodation for Job Candidates: 

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

Application Review: 

Application review will begin August 1, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

Start Date: September 2023