Director, Development and Alumni Relations
Company: New England College of Optometry
Location: Boston
Posted on: November 15, 2024
Job Description:
Description: New England College of Optometry (NECO) was founded
in 1894, and is the oldest, continuously operating College of
Optometry in the United States. We invite applications for the
position of Director of Development and Alumni Relations. NECO is
one of three remaining private, nonprofit, tuition-dependent
schools of optometry. We prepare the next generation of eye care
providers, educators, and innovators through a rigorous curriculum,
extensive clinical experiences, state-of-the-art facilities, and a
strong support network. As an independent optometry school, we
focus solely on optometry. The College has approximately 520
students. The operating budget for FY25 is $32M and the current
endowment is $66M. For additional information about NECO, please
visit www.NECO.edu
The Opportunity: The Director of Development and Alumni Relations
is a full time, front-line fundraising position with eligibility
for a hybrid schedule after training completion. The Director
manages a team of professionals that includes an Assistant
Director, Development and Alumni Relations, a Development and
Alumni Relations Coordinator, and a part time Alumni Relations
Liaison. The Director is responsible for setting and executing
ambitious fundraising goals (outlining one; three; and five-year
goals for their team), aligning fundraising objectives with NECO's
strategic plan, growing the pipeline of relationships, and
maintaining a comprehensive list of potential financial donors
including alumni, corporations, foundations, and individuals. This
Director will build and cultivate lasting relationships with donors
and NECO alumni. and keep them informed about the impact of their
financial contributions. We are about to embark on a 5-year
$10million capital campaign and expect the next Director to review,
refine and spearhead this initiative.
The Director will collaborate with the Alumni Board of Directors
and the Development and Alumni Relations committee of the Board of
Trustees to support engagement and inspire a culture of
philanthropy among all constituents. This individual reports to the
Executive VP, COO/CFO and works closely with the President, the VP
of Professional Affairs. the VP of Academic Affairs, and the
Director of Marketing and Communications.
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the Board of Trustees, President and
President's Leadership Team to create and implement a fundraising
plan for NECO.
- Develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising
priorities and articulate compelling cases to secure financial
support from individuals (including alumni), the board of trustees,
corporate partners, and foundations.
- Over the first three years, progressively increase annual funds
raised from $1.25M to $2M through solicitations and face to face
meetings.
- Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major
donors.
- Identify and manage a portfolio of prospects.
- Identify major gift prospects and developing plans to secure
significant funding opportunities.
- Collaborate closely with donors, volunteers, and NECO leaders
to identify new prospects. Perform administrative duties related to
advancement work including documenting activity, writing proposals,
inputting engagement plans in relationship management database, and
adhering to Foundation policies.
- Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the
development staff by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven
environment.
- Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by
engaging in organization-wide activities such as development
management meetings and events.
- Set priorities for leadership travel associated with
fundraising opportunities.
- Oversee the planning and management of key fundraising
events.
- Develop and track proposals and reports for all foundation and
corporate fundraising activities.
- Furnish the board and president's leadership team with regular
progress reports on fundraising activities and achievements
- Generate development materials such as grant proposals,
fundraising appeals and case statements
- Work with the Alumni board to support a network of former
graduates who will, in turn provide philanthropic support to NECO
and help to raise the profile of the college
- In coordination with the Alumni Board Executive Committee and
the Alumni Relations Liaison, identify and lead the planning of
alumni engagement events, such as alumni receptions at conferences,
reunions, and regional gatherings, ensuring both short- and
long-term goals align with overall strategic goals.
- Ensure alumni and industry student events activities are
coordinated with the Center for Academic and Professional
Achievement.
- Develop policies for fundraising and alumni with the
consultation and approval of the Board Development and Alumni
Relations Committee and the Presidents Leadership Team.
- Collaborate with Marketing and Alumni Relations Liaison to
produce a quarterly alumni newsletter, sharing alumni events,
updates, news and fundraising opportunities at NECO.
- Collaborate with the marketing/communications team to develop a
digital fundraising strategy.
- Oversee the use of development software (Little Green
Light)
- Manage staff responsible for data entry and gift processing,
fundraising and alumni relations.
- Collaborate with the business office to ensure accuracy in gift
recording and account reconciliation.
Successful Candidates will offer:
- Successful experience writing proposals for gifts from
foundations
- High level of motivation, as well as an ability to work both
independently and collaboratively and to exercise independent
judgment
- Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy
- The ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with
a broad range of constituents
- Strong written and verbal communications skills, including
ability to effectively communicate NECO's priorities to donors and
prospects, and to positively represent NECO
- Ability to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order
priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and
prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor
information
- Demonstrated experience managing development staff
- Hands-on experience and success in stewardship and
fundraising
The New England College of Optometry is an Equal Opportunity
Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will
receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national
origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated
against on the basis of disability. Required skills and
abilities:
New England College of Optometry offers a robust benefits program
including:
- 3 plan options for BCBS medical coverage
- Mental Health and Wellness benefits
- BCBS Dental
- Discounted vision services
- 13 paid holidays, 4 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of sick time,
and 4 personal days
- Employer-paid life insurance, and short-term and long-term
disability
- Voluntary Insurance: life, critical illness, hospital
indemnity, accident,
- Voluntary Benefits: employee discounts, ID theft protection,
and pet insurance
- 9% employer contribution to a 403(b)-retirement plan after 1
year of service with no vesting schedule or match requirement
- Qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employer
PM23Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree required
- 3 plus years demonstrated success in fundraising and leadership
required
- 5 plus years of recent experience as a full-time professional
fundraiser preferred
- Experience closing 5-figure gifts required
- Fundraising experience at the highest level of an organization
preferred
- Experience with Little Green Light or similar fundraising
software required
- Experience within an academic, research, hospital/health care
environment is preferred but not required
Compensation details: 120000-140000 Yearly Salary
PIefd238c64425-37248-35923250
Keywords: New England College of Optometry, Portland , Director, Development and Alumni Relations, Executive , Boston, Maine
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