Lafayette College offers an outstanding opportunity for a motivated and driven individual to become part of an accomplished alumni engagement and annual giving team. The Assistant/Associate Director will lead efforts to increase philanthropic participation among historically underrepresented groups including but not limited to alumni who identify as Black and of African descent, LGBTQ+ alumni, Asian and Pacific Islander alumni, Latinx alumni, and women. The Assistant/Associate Director assists in raising critical philanthropic resources to help Lafayette meet its ambitious annual fundraising goals as well as deepen the relationship between alumni and their alma mater. Successful cultivation, qualification, and solicitation of leadership gifts is essential to this role. The Assistant/Associate Director must actively seek out opportunities, both on and off-campus, to develop and implement initiatives to ensure a strong base of high-level philanthropic support.

This position, as a result of the recently launched alumni and parent engagement multi-year plan, will join a newly integrated team of high-achieving alumni engagement and annual giving professionals.

 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead identity-based philanthropy efforts as part of Development and College Relations division’s integrated and strategic approach to affinity engagement.

• Form collaborative partnerships with gift officers, division staff, faculty, and other members of the Lafayette community to create opportunities for increased engagement with alumni, parents and families from historically underrepresented groups.
• Leverage volunteer recruitment strategies to ensure a robust pool of potential volunteers from identity-based groups.
• Partner with the Alumni Engagement team for an integrated and strategic approach (including communications and programming). 
• Assist with written case statements supporting key identity-based programs and projects.

• Collaborate with the Annual and Leadership Giving team on a balanced visit and outreach strategy to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects for identity-based giving opportunities.
• Manage and solicit an assigned prospect and volunteer portfolio of prospects to increase engagement and philanthropic support/resources needed to advance the student experience.

• Qualify new prospects, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors. Develop prospect relationships around donor interests and College priorities.
• Utilize the Division’s CRM system for prospect and volunteer management, report generation, contact report sharing, and data analysis.

• Provide necessary documentation and follow-up to donors, volunteers & internal contacts.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as needed.
• Evening and weekend work, as well as travel required, in support of College priorities and events.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• A minimum of one to three years of development, alumni relations, volunteer engagement/management and/or equivalent experience, with annual fund/giving experience preferred.
• Possess well developed listening, written, and interpersonal skills with a creative mindset.
• Strong proficiency in various forms of technology including Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Experience working with large databases and capability to perform detailed data analyses.
• Ability to communicate with volunteers/prospects/donors/colleagues effectively and efficiently through direct face-to-face and remote via technology.
• A high level of energy and a team orientation.
• Ability and willingness to take initiative and a sense of humor are essential.

Application Process

Submit letter of interest and resume online at http://apply.interfolio.com/99432. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

About the Division of Development and College Relations

The Division consists of three major areas, Development, Alumni Engagement, and Gateway Career Center. Our work is closely aligned in support of shared goals for engagement, programming, and fundraising. We are committed to advancing the mission and strategic direction of Lafayette College by fostering meaningful engagement and lifelong connections, and by securing the resources needed to realize powerful outcomes. The values of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, lifelong relationships, outstanding service, and respect guide all aspects of our work.

Lafayette is deeply committed to creating a diverse community, one that is inclusive and responsive and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. All members of the College community share in the responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced. All Lafayette operations reflect the College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, and Lafayette welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.