Associate Director, Development

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The Associate Director of Development reports to the VP of Institutional Advancement (IA) and will develop and maintain a robust mid-level and annual fund leadership gift portfolio with gifts ranging in size from $10,000 to $100,000, working within Institutional Advancement. The Associate Director's responsibilities also include managing key aspects of Emerson's Annual Giving Day as well as an emphasis on recruiting new members to the Family Executive Council (FEC). The Associate Director will strengthen and steward current relationships with family, friends and alumni, network to attract new prospects, and help to create opportunities for donors and prospects with the primary goal of soliciting mid-level and annual fund leadership gifts. The Associate director will perform multiple fundraising duties that contribute to the overall functionality and success of Emerson College and Institutional Advancement. This role requires strong leadership and management skills, as well as excellent interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Collaborate closely with the VP of Institutional Advancement and the Development team to design, plan, and execute a fundraising plan to engage and solicit qualified and rated alums, parents, friends and partners with a focus on gifts of $10k and above.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of mid-level donors which are alums, friends, parents, and partners with a giving capacity of $10k to $100k.
• Work collaboratively with the annual fund team to identify donors for increased annual asks.
• Work closely with the Director of Annual Giving to execute Annual Fund campaigns, with a primary focus on support for the Annual Giving Day.
• Manage logistical planning, operations, and execution of meetings and agendas, group events, including communications for the FEC.
• Develop and implement individualized donor engagement strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Update and maintain donor contact information, notes, actions, and proposals in Raiser's Edge and use sophisticated prospect research techniques to help grow the market.
• Work in collaboration with the stewardship team to ensure that all FEC members and mid-level donors are well-informed, acknowledged in meaningful ways, and appreciated in an appropriate manner throughout the year.
• Draft and edit proposals, reports, and briefings as appropriate
• Provide ongoing updates to IA regarding funding opportunities, events, updates.
• Engage with project management tools utilized by the department such as ClickUp and Almabase.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS - Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform job.

• Bachelor's Degree in Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, Business, or a related field or equivalent experience required
• Minimum 5 years of direct experience in individual gift fundraising and donor communication required
• Experience with annual giving efforts preferred
• Valid driver's license required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.

• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail required
• Deep understanding of and passion for the College's mission, vision, goals, and funding priorities
• Ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a wide range of donors
• Proficiency in using AI and computer software and the ability to learn new software easily
• Strong organizational, administrative, oral and written communication skills
• Confident public speaking skills and the ability to represent the department at meetings and on committees
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal communication and collaboration skills

PHYSICAL ABILITIES - Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Generally sedentary in nature, movement throughout the area is required from time to time.
• Ability to have continuous oral and written communication with co-workers and supervisors is essential.
• Repetitive movements, occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds, reaching, lifting, stooping and the ability to read a computer screen, detect color-coding and read fine print will be expected.
• Ability to travel as needed

WORK ENVIRONMENT - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• General office conditions. Exposed to moderate noise levels

IN-OFFICE EXPECTATIONS

This position is primarily a hybrid role with expected days in the office each week.

The hybrid arrangement will be made upon hire. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the Boston campus to ensure operational effectiveness. This arrangement must be approved as outlined in the Remote Work Policy

Compensation: $104,000.00 - $130,000.00 annually, commensurate with experience.


Grade of Position: 23-12E

Employment Category: Regular

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.


Emerson Employment Categories influence work schedules, benefits eligibility, and time off policies. Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits, such as life and disability coverage and commuter offerings, are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.