Assistant Vice President Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
Listed on 2026-01-08
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Management
Education Administration
Location: Northfield
Overview
Job Title: Assistant Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
Department: Annual Giving/Alumni Relations
Classification: Exempt
Grade: 16
FTE/Working
Schedule:
1.0 FTE (40 hours/week)
Position Overview:
The Assistant Vice President (AVP) is a senior strategic partner and critical member of the Development and Alumni Relations leadership team. This role drives the college's long-term financial stability by leading the integrated strategy for constituent experience and sustainable philanthropic growth across all constituencies (alumni, parents, and friends). The AVP is responsible for leveraging data-driven strategy to maximize annual support, cultivate future major gift prospects, and elevate the profile of philanthropy through compelling communications.
Compensation:
The expected starting salary range for this position is between $135,700 and $140,200. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.
Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities- Develop and guide the overall strategy for the strategic philanthropy portfolio (Annual Giving, Parent/Family Giving) to shape a sustainable tradition of support.
- Ensure rigorous program evaluation, using data analysis to set performance metrics, achieve annual revenue targets, and maximize the program’s cost-benefit ratio.
- Collaborate with Major and Planned Giving teams to strengthen the pipeline and ensure personalized, comprehensive approaches to donor solicitation and stewardship.
- Provide executive direction for all alumni and parent engagement programs, ensuring a comprehensive strategy that fosters long-term, mutually-enriching relationships.
- Serve as senior counsel to the Vice President and institutional leadership on sensitive alumni and parent-related issues.
- Oversee key volunteer governance boards (e.g., Alumni Council, Parents Advisory Council) to align their efforts with institutional philanthropic priorities.
- Build and lead high-performing teams, supervising the Directors of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, and the Communications Manager.
- Drive organizational effectiveness by establishing team accountabilities, facilitating professional development, and conducting rigorous performance appraisals.
- Provide leadership for the division's Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity initiatives, ensuring DEI is a foundational principle in internal culture and external engagement strategies.
- Lead the development of annual and multi-year communications plans that support fundraising and engagement goals, including the strategic deployment of direct marketing tools to mobilize support of the institution.
- Oversee the strategic utilization of resources to prioritize narrative positioning that amplifies philanthropic commitments and institutional impact.
Position Requirements
- Must be able to work independently, seeking counsel as needed
- Commitment to work across the entire academic community and collaborate within the Development and Alumni Relations team. Provide support for making a persuasive case for supporting key programs and projects and effectively matching the interests of prospective donors to Carleton’s priorities; steward long-time important relationships
- Proven track record of success in leading comprehensive giving programs
- B.A. required
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive management experience at a director level or above in advancement or a related field
- Strong commitment to the liberal arts mission of the College
- Exceptional written, verbal, and public communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively about the institutional mission to high-level audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to design and implement plans
Must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral work instructions, operations, safety procedures, and hazardous labels.
Note: This position description is not intended to be…
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