Associate Director, Development - Yale Divinity School

Overview

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The Associate Director will report to the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Development and serve as a partner in the planning, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive alumni engagement and annual giving program that secures the necessary philanthropic resources for the current and future needs of the school. This role will be responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of events and outreach for the Divinity School’s alumni and friends, annual appeal program, volunteer management, while contributing to the development of overall advancement strategy.

This position works closely with colleagues throughout the Divinity School and coordinates key volunteer and constituent relationships with the advancement staff at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Andover‑Newton Seminary.

• Oversee the development of a comprehensive program to deepen alumni engagement and increase donor support with Yale Divinity School’s Annual Fund, which directly supports student financial aid.
• Design and coordinate the annual appeal program in coordination with the Yale Annual Fund team, including direct mail, email, text, social media and personal visits.
• Coordinate and support the annual appeal schedule with advancement partners at Berkeley Divinity School and Andover Newton.
• Recruit, train and manage the Class Agent volunteers in support of class fundraising goals. Utilize Give Campus software program to facilitate volunteer activities.
• Lead and manage the 50th reunion events and giving program.
• Advise, educate and solicit potential alumni and friend donors through external face‑to‑face meetings, phone/virtual contacts and written communications.
• Monitor regular gift reports to ensure donor intent and proper recognition and stewardship of gifts.
• Oversee and manage volunteers, especially the Alumni Association Board and its committees.
• Develop and manage student engagement efforts in partnership with other departments at YDS.
• Design and lead alumni engagement events and activities, including the annual Convocation and Reunion program, to advance fundraising priorities.
• Special projects as determined by the Sr. Director of Alumni Engagement and Development.
• Must be willing to work occasional weekends and evenings, attend events, and travel as needed.

• Experience as a strategic thinker, well‑organized, and goal‑oriented, with an enthusiastic and positive personality and the ability to manage complex projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient technological skills in Microsoft suite; highly skilled in ability to analyze and interpret financial data and in creating complex spreadsheets, Yale CRM (Hopper) experience a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and work effectively with alumni, friends, volunteers, faculty, and administrators and to maintain a high degree of confidentiality of sensitive materials. Commitment to an inclusive workplace, and exhibits the highest level of personal integrity, honesty, and trust.
• Ability to multi‑task, observe deadlines, prioritize, and execute assignments with attention to detail and with limited supervision.

Bachelor's Degree and two to five years of experience in engagement and annual giving, preferably in higher education, or equivalent experience in a related field, is required.

• Identifies, cultivates and solicits Yale alumni/alumnae and friends who are capable of making gifts to the University. Meets assigned activity and revenue goals.
• Devises and implements cultivation and solicitation strategies. Evaluates various gift opportunities and giving vehicles; recommends the most suitable for a particular donor. Develops, writes and presents proposals in keeping with university…