Manager of Development and Alumni Relations

Manager Of Development And Alumni Relations

The manager of development and alumni relations serves as a strategic partner to the center for philanthropy and Methodist College leadership, driving alumni engagement, donor cultivation, and scholarship-focused fundraising for Methodist College. This role strengthens the philanthropic pipeline by building relationships with alumni, community stakeholders, and donors, while aligning communications, events, and governance activities to advance institutional priorities. The position plays a critical role in expanding early-stage giving programs, stewarding donor intent, and enhancing engagement structures that support long-term sustainability.

Through cross-functional collaboration and data-informed strategy, the manager helps grow philanthropic investment and deepen stakeholder connection to Methodist College's mission and impact.

Qualifications

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree or experience in lieu of education
• Work experience:
  
  Fundraising; communication skills; business development; event coordination

Responsibilities

• Lead regional fundraising initiatives aligned with scholarships and institutional priorities.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in partnership with executive leadership.
• Build and sustain a strategic donor stewardship pipeline.
• Manage a portfolio of scholarship and annual donors to ensure ongoing engagement.
• Oversee stewardship of restricted and unrestricted funds in alignment with donor intent.
• Serve as primary liaison for alumni and key community stakeholders.
• Develop and implement structured alumni engagement strategies and programs.
• Create pathways to transition students into active alumni and emerging donors.
• Plan and execute strategic events (e.g., scholarship breakfast, donor and alumni events).
• Manage early-stage giving programs (e.g., recent graduate initiatives).
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, alumni groups, and council engagement activities.
• Partner with marketing to deliver coordinated, impact-driven communication strategies.
• Support board and council operations, including meeting preparation and alignment with governance processes.
• Track and analyze donor and alumni engagement data to inform strategy and report outcomes.
• Maintain high-quality donor data and ensure accurate, timely reporting of engagement and giving trends.