Alumni Relations Coordinator, Alumni Engagement

Job Description

The Assistant Director of Development will be responsible for soliciting gifts of $25,000 and larger for Vanderbilt University, with a focus on outright gifts and pledges to its colleges and schools.  The Assistant Director will be assigned to support specific areas of the University.

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals.  The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Actively cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts by:

• Conducting 100+ visits (electronically or in-person as deemed appropriate) annually with prospects capable of making annual gifts and pledges of $25,000+, with the expectation of closing one or two gifts of $100k+.
• Effectively communicating results of prospect visits to appropriate personnel, such as other development staff, with particular emphasis on major donor prospect identification
• Qualifying 4-8 major donor prospects each year
• Using data to identify prospects for annual gifts and larger
• Support retention and increased giving of current leadership donors

Establish oneself as a knowledgeable staff member by:

• Learning the Vanderbilt mission and being knowledgeable about Vanderbilt and the assigned school’s responsibilities to the mission
• Attaining an in-depth understanding of the development programs and their goals in the assigned school.

Cultivate relationships with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) staff, Deans and administrators within the assigned school, and Vanderbilt University as a whole.  In addition, cultivate relationships with external constituencies such as alumni, parents, and friends of the University by:

• Collaborating with DAR staff to build and maintain best practices in giving
• Establishing a sound working relationship with DAR staff to enhance collaboration.  This includes working with major gifts officers, operations/advancement services, school leadership, reunion teams, and the DAR leadership team.

Enhance departmental performance standards by:

• Performing as a team player
• Maintaining a level of reliability that generates stability in the department
• Meeting or exceeding department performance standards
• Fostering a spirit of cooperation

Contribute to departmental efficiency by:

• Understanding and effectively communicating departmental policy and procedures
• Clearly communicating concerns and questions to supervisor and staff
• Soliciting guidance from supervisor and co-workers when uncertainty arises
• Conveying thoughts to supervisor on improving departmental performance
• Performing other duties as assigned

Approach each situation with a professional attitude by:

• Exercising good judgment in discussing issues and results
• Maintaining composure and a calm demeanor during challenging situations
• Respecting the need for confidentiality of donors and colleagues

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary
• One year of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is necessary
• Two or more years of experience in development or alumni relations preferred, with direct donor solicitation experience  
• Willingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $25,000 and larger
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employees
• Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information
• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system
• Fundraising experience within higher education preferred
• Experience with trip planning, domestic travel, and scheduling “discovery” appointments with individuals (i.e., donors, prospects, clients, customers that applicant may have never met before).
• Value of the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Routine overnight travel is required
• Some evening and weekend work, as needed

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.