Responsible for development and execution of a comprehensive strategy for the Centennial Circle of Dartmouth Alumnae, a solicitation and engagement strategy and stewardship program to encourage alumnae to make annual leadership gifts through the DCF or the annual funds of the professional schools, with an initial minimum commitment of $100,000. This program is designed to raise at least $8.5 million annually. Recruits, trains, and motivates high-level volunteer teams and collaborates with Leadership and Principal gifts to execute strategies to achieve fundraising goals.

Key Accountabilities:

Strategic and Program Planning: Develops a comprehensive solicitation and engagement strategy and stewardship program to encourage alumnae to join the Circle with an initial minimum commitment of $100,000, and, as members, make annual leadership gifts through the DCF or the annual funds of the professional schools. This program is designed to raise upper-level DCF gifts and is responsible for raising at least $8.5 million annually and growing that amount each year. Establishes goals for total DCF revenue raised by existing members, participation rates for existing members, and acquisition of new members. Implements strategies to achieve those goals and monitors and evaluates progress. Helps educate all alumni about philanthropy and the case for supporting the Dartmouth College Fund.

Volunteer Management: Recruits, trains, and motivates high-level volunteer teams to add new members to the Circle and create ongoing stewardship and programming opportunities for existing members. Serves as a resource for leadership volunteers and ensures they are equipped with the training and materials necessary to carry out their responsibilities. Develops effective volunteer-staff partnerships that rely on productive recruitment, best practice development, training, and ongoing communication with and stewardship of volunteers.

Prospect Management: Works with DCF, Leadership Giving staff, and Principal Gifts staff to develop strategy for annual solicitations not only to encourage new members to join the Circle but also with an emphasis on building annual fund leadership gifts from the existing 325 members. Manages a team of volunteers to collaborate with Class Managing Directors to cultivate and solicit new members, particularly in the 25th and 20th reunion classes. Manages relationships with colleagues in the organization – DCF Class Managing Directors, Leadership Giving officers and Principal Giving officers – to ensure that frontline and DCF staff are collaborating to develop appropriate strategies and solicitation asks at a leadership level.

Engagement and Stewardship: Works closely with the Executive Director and volunteers to create an annual framework for meaningful engagement opportunities with existing members of the Circle, both through broad outreach and communications and in-person and live online programming. Manages a volunteer team to execute these plans. Ensures quality events of value to leadership-level donors by working with trustees, volunteers, faculty, and student speakers to facilitate practices and rehearsals and adapting program as needs arises. Travels as necessary to visit prospects and volunteers or to attend events. Keeps current with emerging trends in women’s philanthropy and works collaboratively with internal partners to design comprehensive giving opportunities for women.

Required Qualifications – Education and Yrs Exp:

Bachelors plus 6 or more years’ experience or combination of education and experience

Required Qualifications – Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Seven years of experience in a complex college or university development operation with a proven record of successful fundraising and management of high-level volunteers
• Demonstrated success soliciting and closing six-figure gifts coupled with deep understanding of and appreciation for the philanthropic process and individual giving behaviors
• Ability to work with and command the respect of faculty, senior officers, Trustees, and other high-level volunteers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated presentation abilities
• Strong interpersonal, negotiating, and listening skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong project management and organizational skills; self motivated and proactive
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking capabilities
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with appropriate discretion
• Understanding of and appreciation for the philanthropic process and individual giving behaviors combined with direct solicitation experience
• Demonstrated integrity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory experience
• Comprehensive campaign experience preferred