Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Centre College in the search for an Executive Director of Annual Giving and Donor Experience.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement, the Executive Director of Annual Giving and Donor Experience will lead a comprehensive, multi-channel annual giving campaign, balancing high level strategy and organizational leadership with tactical efforts to create and successfully execute fundraising solicitations. The Executive Director will utilize strong strategic thinking skills and the ability to present compelling cases for support to campus constituents including alumni, current and past parents, and friends of the college to increase philanthropy and deepen engagement.

Centre College was founded by Presbyterian leaders and officially chartered by the Kentucky Legislature on January 21, 1819. The name reflects the college’s location in the geographic center of Kentucky. Instruction began in Old Centre—the college’s first building—in the fall of 1820 with a faculty of two and a student body of five. Today, there are approximately 1,400 students and 150 full-time faculty members dedicated to the mission of preparing students for lives of learning, leadership, and service.

Centre College is committed to providing a deeply engaging, intensely personal education with guaranteed opportunities for all students to explore the world, gain on-the-job experience, and conduct research alongside their professors. It is easy for students to make their mark at Centre. With over 85 clubs and organizations, 25 NCAA Division III athletics teams, and more than 2,000 events each year, there is always something to do, somewhere to go, and someone to cheer on.

Centre helps to ensure success after graduation from day one. The Center for Career & Professional Development offers personal coaching to help students explore majors and careers, find summer jobs and internships, work on resumes and cover letters for graduate schools and jobs, and network with alumni. Personal attention from outstanding professors allows students to progress faster. The 10-to-1 studentto-faculty ratio means professors know students by name and can offer personalized support.

With a variety of international study options that broaden student perspectives while providing a competitive advantage in the global economy, Centre is ranked among the top in the nation for percentage of students who study abroad with 85% of Centre students taking advantage of the opportunities available.

Centre’s nearly 14,000 alumni are fiercely loyal and eager to help students make valuable job contacts in almost any field and location imaginable. Memorable alumni from the past include two U.S. Vice Presidents, two U.S. Supreme Court justices, and a founder of the Hard Rock Café. More recent alumni are equally distinguished and love to talk to Centre students.

College Raptor, a college planning platform, has recognized Centre College among some of the nation’s best colleges and universities. Centre was named a 2024 “Hidden Gem” and was recognized as the no. 1 “gem” in the state of Kentucky. It is also one of the top-ranked colleges in the Southeast and a top-five Division III college in the rankings. The 2023 edition of The Princeton Review’s guide to America’s “Best 389 Colleges” recognizes Centre College as one of the best in the country. Professors took center stage for the college in its rankings: Centre faculty ranked 13th in the country as “Professors Get High Marks,” and ranked 24th nationally for “Most Accessible Professors.” Earlier in the year, the publication listed Centre as one of the Best Value Colleges for 2023.

Centre College pledges continuing efforts to build and strengthen a community enriched by differences and founded upon common humanity. Centre respects the right of all members of the community to express their individuality in a manner that is consistent with the dignity and welfare of others. Centre strives to create an environment where differences are celebrated rather than discouraged, where individuals can exchange ideas and share in the richness of mutual experience.

A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred for this position as is at least three years of fundraising experience within a higher education or a non-profit setting. Centre College will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to Centre College, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Centre College as well as the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the prospectus.

The salary for this position is $75,000 to $100,000 annually and includes a bonus structure based on performance.