The Hamilton Fund is one of the top performing college annual giving programs in the US, regularly in the top 10% and often used as a benchmark for others. With greater competition from local, regional and national not-for-profits, we are re-imagining the work to build a new path for annual giving in academia. To that end, the focus is on securing and retaining talent who are looking for a highly rewarding, fast-paced professional experience; working with a dedicated team and incredibly loyal alumni and parents.

This position will work with the Hamilton Fund leadership team to help develop and implement a new strategic direction to engage Hamilton’s Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD Group). These alumni make up 25% of all Hamilton Graduates and engaging them is essential to increasing alumni participation to the Hamilton Fund.

This is an exempt position with a pay range of $57,459 - $60,000 for an Assistant Director and $61,000 - $63,000 for an Associate Director.

The Assistant/Associate Director will:

• Identify new opportunities for engagement, both through events and working with volunteers. They will look to convert GOLD alumni engaging with the College in other ways (Career Center, Virtual Events, etc.) to become donors to the Hamilton Fund.

• Liaise with Hamilton Fund volunteers and help facilitate their peer-to-peer solicitation efforts for the GOLD classes, including the 5th and 10th reunion classes.

• Cultivate relationships with, and manage strategies for, an individual portfolio of prospects within the Hamilton Fund. As part of this work, the person filling this role will have opportunities to qualify, steward and develop donors to secure, retain and upgrade Hamilton Fund GOLD Leadership level gifts.

• Make solicitation calls to prospective Hamilton Fund donors. The successful candidate must be comfortable asking for money.

• Collaborate and work closely with the student-led Senior Gift Campaign with the graduating class, working with them on programs to facilitate their engagement as they graduate into the alumni body.

• Develop strategic partnerships with athletic teams, student organizations, and campus departments to communicate opportunities and construct various student engagement programs and events to develop tomorrow’s alumni leaders who will inspire peer alumni to become informed, involved and invested in Hamilton College.

• Plan and implement programs and events which inspire a culture of service, philanthropy and engagement among students at Hamilton. The Assistant/Associate Director will identify opportunities for campus partnerships in creating a successful 4-year student engagement and philanthropy program.

• Travel both independently and with other staff for both engagement and portfolio management.

Responsibilities

• GOLD Group Programs (70% of time allocation)

• GOLD engagement programs (25% of time allocation)

• Manage GOLD portfolio (20% of time allocation)

• Coordinate Hamilton Fund volunteers and their peer-to-peer solicitation efforts (25% of time allocation)

• Student Philanthropy program (30% of time allocation)

• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree

• Demonstrated direct fund-raising, political campaign or constituent management and/or sales experience preferred including program management, or comparable experience in a business, nonprofit or related setting

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Willingness and ability to ask alumni, parent and friend prospects for money

• Exceptional interpersonal skills

• Strong oral and written communications skills

• Ability to work with colleagues effectively

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, paying close attention to detail while meeting deadlines

• Experience devising and managing fund-raising or similar sales programs

• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions

• High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office required

• Capacity to master new software, especially the GiveCampus VMS platform and the Ellucian Colleague/Advancement database

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a collaborative team environment

• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including experience developing or supporting initiatives that serve underrepresented groups

• Ability to work well within a fast-paced, high-volume environment

• Commitment to personal growth and development is highly desirable

• Disposition to take initiative and be a self-starter

• Willingness and ability to travel and to work on evenings and weekends during on-campus alumni events

Please submit cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references. Consideration of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Hamilton College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer and is committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes diversity in all of its forms and a wide array of cultural experiences as integral components of academic excellence. Candidates who can contribute to those goals are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in these areas.