The Office of Annual Giving is focused on meeting and growing our annual donor goal of 4000 alumni donors contributing $2.7M+ towards the school’s annual operating budget through The Whitman Fund and W Club. This position is both an individual contributor as well as an important member of the Annual Giving team. The Assistant Director of Annual Giving is focused on direct solicitation of gifts, volunteer management, and contributing to team-based projects. The Office of Annual Giving is part of the Development and Alumni Relations department.

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving is charged with increasing and retaining support from Whitman alumni and parents through annual gifts to the College. The Assistant Director will work directly with our extensive volunteers representing each Whitman class, and will specifically manage all class reps excluding Whitman’s youngest alumni. The Assistant Director also works with our affinity groups on approved fundraising projects. This position is also responsible for meeting with volunteers and other alumni in 1:1 and group settings to educate these constituents about the Whitman Fund and secure leadership level gifts.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

General

• Serve as a member of the Annual Giving team, focused on supporting group-wide initiatives like days of giving.
• Manage the alumni class representatives program, sorority and fraternity life alumni volunteers, the W Club board fundraising committee, and other ad-hoc groups on college-approved fundraising projects.

Volunteer Management

• Recruit and train alumni class representative fundraising volunteers, communicate with volunteers on a consistent basis with fundraising updates and assist volunteers with their outreach to Whitman alumni in asking for gifts to The Whitman Fund.
• Create and track fundraising dollars and participation goals for classes, sets measurable strategies and tactics for achieving those goals, and communicates progress.
• Oversee and edit class solicitations written by volunteers.
• Collaborate with the annual giving team and the Director of Alumni Relations to plan workshops and training sessions for the annual Volunteer Summit.
• Use, troubleshoot and train all assigned volunteers in volunteer management software.
• Maintain online volunteer resources page to help recruit, onboard and engage volunteers.  

Volunteer Management – Affinity Groups

• Partner with affinity fundraising volunteers, communicates with volunteers on a consistent basis with fundraising updates and assists volunteers with their outreach to prospective donors.
• Facilitate volunteers in producing and sending solicitations, often in coordination with affiliated on-campus departments (e.g. Athletics).

Direct Fundraising

• Schedule and complete 25-30 in-person or virtual substantive contacts each year with the purpose of soliciting volunteers or other prospects for leadership level Whitman Fund gifts, recruiting and training volunteers and qualifying prospects for Planned Giving and Major Gifts. 
• In consultation with the Director of Annual Giving, identify prospective leadership gift donors and potential volunteers for milestone reunions.
• Participate in on-campus and regional events, often in partnership with other campus units including the Whitman Alumni Association, to engage donors and prospects.
• In consultation with the Director of Annual Giving, establish professional goals, objectives, and strategies for fundraising. Participate in assessing progress toward goals.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

• Skill in developing and implementing project plans that are longitudinal and complex in nature.
• Highly motivated self-starter who is goal oriented, has attention to detail and adheres to timelines.
• Desire and ability 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.
• Ability to learn fundraising and volunteer best practices, particularly in alumni giving programs. 
• Knowledge of volunteer best practices, particularly in alumni giving programs and experience in fundraising.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, with a focus on communicating the importance of philanthropy and alumni and family giving.
• Skill in using computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software and donor databases and highly adaptable to changing technologies.
• Knowledge of modern data management practices and techniques that lead to data driven decisions.
• Skill in developing and implementing strategic donor solicitation plans.
• Success in managing an individual portfolio.
• Ability and commitment to support, respect and work effectively with diverse groups.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information.
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends and travel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree OR four or more years of professional experience in an administrative capacity.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Two or more years of professional experience in fundraising, donor relations, public relations, or sales; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Thorough understanding of the value of a residential liberal arts and sciences education and ability to articulate that understanding.