Senior Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations

• Working in conjunction with the president, board, senior leadership, and broadly across the College to identify gift objectives and translate Bowdoin’s fundraising goals into a clear, specific, and compelling set of objectives and measures of success;
• Managing both a presidential and personal portfolio of leadership gift prospects and donors while building a robust fundraising program, significantly expanding the College’s constituency of large-gift donors;
• Acting as a public-facing leader for Bowdoin, deftly engaging with diverse constituencies both within and external to the College to achieve desired outcomes; and
• Seeking creative pathways to identify, activate, and engage new prospects.

Results-Driven, Entrepreneurial Spirit –

• Embodying a readiness to set ambitious goals and take intelligent risks while accepting responsibility, leading by example, and translating strategies into measurable actions that deliver results;
• Enhancing Bowdoin’s philanthropic efforts and processes by benchmarking against industry best practices;
• Encouraging the Bowdoin culture of experimentation and risk-taking, bringing a fresh perspective while evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the division, seeking best-practice improvements and new creative ideas, keeping apprised of market trends, and seizing opportunities as they arise;
• Building a palpable sense of confidence and pride about philanthropy and fundraising across Bowdoin; and
• Communicating regularly about long-term goals to reinforce the bigger picture, frequently reviewing progress toward goals, giving critical feedback to team members, and providing strong, inclusive leadership.

Relationships, Impact, and Influence –

• Building strong, authentic, collaborative relationships with and bridges to colleagues at all levels across the organization and earning trust by working effectively across functions;
• Collaborating with the development team as well as leadership to manage projects, creatively solve problems, discuss challenging issues, and lead the philanthropic efforts;
• Galvanizing the board, division staff, and broader College staff around fundraising while guiding and mentoring as needed to help each individual reach their fundraising commitments; and
• Motivating, inspiring, and mentoring their team, with a rigorous understanding of capability and potential, creating uniquely tailored career development plans for employees.

Other Personal Characteristics –

• An inclusive, respectful, and team-oriented leader who enjoys learning from other perspectives and takes pride in shared success.
• Emotional intelligence, with the ability to interact effectively in a broad range of situations and with a variety of personalities.
• Desire and ability to communicate clearly, listen attentively, and engage and persuade others as a trusted colleague, partner, and mentor.
• High level of integrity and demonstrated use of good judgment.
• Creative thinker who is able to respect, honor, and balance the long-standing strengths of Bowdoin’s development operations while envisioning and implementing innovative approaches.

• Senior management experience: Progressive leadership experience, with time spent at the executive or senior level, and a track record of leading a cross-functional advancement team within a complex organization.
• Fundraising acumen: Proven ability to raise large-scale resources, exceptional track record of working with a wide range of donors, comfort interacting with high-net worth donors and securing significant investments in support of the College’s strategic priorities.
• Team-building and talent development: Experience building strong teams of highly functioning and collaborative individuals, as well as an exemplary background in recruitment and retention of talented staff; track record of building staff skills and experience and of preparing the division for growth and more creative approaches.
• Mission alignment: Passion for working in an institution committed to the premise that higher education should serve the common good by transforming lives and developing “leaders in all walks of life.”