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Assistant Director of Donor Relations

Employer
Colby College
Location
Waterville, ME

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Administrative Jobs
Academic Affairs, International Programs
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Assistant Director of Donor RelationsDepartment: College Advancement Date: 07/09/2019 POSITION VACANCY

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America’s most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby’s rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 58 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of 2,000 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences.

In a period of fast-paced progress, Colby is building on its strong foundation while remaining committed to excellence, to supporting students and faculty at the highest levels, and to the College’s deep liberal arts traditions. This new chapter includes the creation of innovative academic initiatives and partnerships, strengthening the connections between the liberal arts and the professional world, revitalizing downtown Waterville, and pursuing significant capital projects for performing arts and athletics. Colby invites applicants to apply for the position of:


ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DONOR RELATIONS
College Advancement

Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

The assistant director of donor relations reports to the director of donor relations and maintains close working relationships with other members of the College Advancement staff, Colby faculty, and administration. The assistant director plays an integral role in establishing a structured, systematic program for donor stewardship while maintaining the College’s reputation of integrity and fund compliance. The successful candidate will possess the ability to develop creative strategies for the acknowledgement, reporting, and ongoing stewardship of donors, with the goal of increasing donor engagement and giving in support of Colby’s fundraising efforts.

The assistant director is an essential member of the principal gift proposal group and the team that crafts letters of intent. The assistant director participates in providing donors with reporting related to select set of endowed and current use funds as part of a College-wide stewardship program designed to foster and sustain long-term, meaningful relationships between the College and its donors. This includes preparing substantive reports to principal gift donors which demonstrate the impact of their philanthropy to the College, and financial reporting for endowed gifts. The assistant director will work closely with the College Advancement’s chief campaign officer and other departments on campus to achieve these objectives. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop creative strategies for the acknowledgement, reporting, and ongoing stewardship of donors, with the goal of increasing donor engagement and giving in support of Colby’s fundraising efforts
  • Manage the reporting process for all of the College’s endowed funds, including financial reporting, ensuring that donors receive timely and meaningful stewardship that demonstrates the impact of their philanthropy
  • Collaborate effectively with senior leadership and all departments across the division in fulfilling reporting objectives and goals; when necessary, write narrative reports as required by gift agreements
  • Serve as an essential member of the principal gift proposal group and the team that crafts proposals and letters of intent
  • Draft complex proposals as requested
  • Develop and sustain a well-organized proposal tracking system
  • Provide general advancement writing, presidential, vice presidential correspondence, and other high touch high impact writing projects
  • Work with the vice president for administration and chief financial officer and the Office of Financial Services to update Colby’s Investment Practice and Performance document in preparation for sharing financial fund value reports to endowed fund donors
  • Assist with the planning and implementation of principal gift individualized stewardship plans
  • Hire, manage, and evaluate student employees for the department; ensure that appropriate training is established and that work schedules are well coordinated
  • Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
  • Minimum of three years of advancement experience within an institution of higher education preferred
  • Experience with Raiser’s Edge or comparable relational database
  • Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word and PowerPoint) required; desktop publishing software desired
  • Creative production skills such as writing, design, and photography are desired
  • Ability to interact with high level donors, prospects, trustees, and College officials with tact, diplomacy, and discretion
  • Must be able to work independently and balance multiple responsibilities effectively
  • Must be flexible, have great attention to detail, show initiative, and have a results-driven philosophy with the ability to problem-solve
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; able to communicate effectively with a wide range of constituents and collaborate across campus
  • Unflappable in the face of multiple challenges, highly motivated, disciplined work ethic, a competitive spirit, a creative approach, and a proven ability to lead
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills including experience independently overseeing complex projects and programs
  • Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community and make an impact in a complex, fast-paced, and team-oriented environment
  • An entrepreneurial spirit and positive attitude
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
This position has significant interaction with faculty, staff, peers, Officers of the College, alumni, parents, friends, and donors.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary.
TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply Now" button on the Colby College website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references. Materials should be addressed to:
Assistant Director of Donor Relations - Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901-8855
To apply electronically send to hr@colby.edu. If you choose to apply electronically you do not need to send duplicate copies by U.S. Mail. If your electronic materials are unreadable we will notify you promptly.

A review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Colby is a private, coeducational liberal arts college that admits students and makes employment decisions on the basis of the individual's qualifications to contribute to Colby's educational objectives and institutional needs. Colby College does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or military or veteran’s status. Colby is an equal opportunity employer and operates in accordance with federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. Colby complies with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an institution’s education programs and activities. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to Colby’s Title IX coordinator or to the federal Office of Civil Rights. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our college.

For more information about the College, please visit our web site: www.colby.edu.

Organization

Working at Colby College 

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America’s most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby’s rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 57 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of 1,850 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences.


Under the leadership of its new president, David A. Greene, Colby is building on this strong foundation while remaining committed to excellence, to supporting students and faculty at the highest levels, and to the College’s deep liberal arts traditions. This new chapter includes plans for creating innovative academic initiatives and partnerships, strengthening the connections between the liberal arts and the professional world, revitalizing downtown Waterville, and pursuing significant capital projects for performing arts and athletics.

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