Chief Development Officer

Wesleyan
College, a four-year national liberal arts college for
women founded in 1836, is a leader and innovator in women’s
education. The first college in the world chartered to grant
degrees to women, Wesleyan’s academically challenging, inclusive
environment helps prepare women to live purposeful and connected
lives. A strength of this small liberal arts college is our diverse
student population and our commitment to liberal arts and justice
throughout our curriculum. Faculty are known for their commitment
to teaching, diversity, and community.

Wesleyan College is currently seeking an exceptional individual
to fill the pivotal role of Chief Development Officer to help
expand our development capacity and propel our fundraising
significantly forward in 2024 and beyond. The successful candidate
will ideally have experience in sophisticated development
operations with expertise to grow our capacity in major gifts.

The right candidate will be a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader
who will be successful as an individual contributor in a robust
fundraising operation through solicitations and closing major gifts
at the five and six-figure and above level. The Chief Development
Officer (CDO) will develop, engage, solicit and steward a portfolio
of prospective donors capable of gifts of five figures and above
while helping to grow the College’s presence and brand throughout
the United States and abroad.

Reporting to the Vice President, Institutional Advancement, the
Chief Development Officer will focus primarily on securing
operating, capital and restricted support from individual,
corporate and foundation donors and prospects. This includes
developing and broadening the major gifts pool, soliciting
leadership gifts, preparing letter of inquiries, proposals and
strengthening donor stewardship. Exceptional candidates must have
the creativity and grit required to connect with current donors and
new prospects through a variety of mediums including letters of
inquiry, cold calls/emails, identification of warm introductions
through common connections, leveraging the networks of our
Trustees, etc.

The Chief Development Officer will staff the President on key
fundraising calls and be responsible for preparing the strategy,
outreach and follow-up for the President. Other responsibilities
include developing and managing a portfolio of donors for the
purpose of supporting the various priorities of Wesleyan College.
The CDO will work independently to arrange in-person meetings
including follow up, working collaboratively and creatively with
the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and President to
plan and implement thoughtful engagement, solicitation, and
stewardship strategies. The selected candidate will contribute in a
comprehensive manner to Wesleyan’s strategic plan, priorities,
programs, and key financial measures to best represent our
interests.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major
  gifts prospects including individuals, corporations and
  foundations.
• Develop strategies and approaches to generate higher levels of
  giving; including conducting donor contacts/visits with prospects
  and donors each month.
• Make at least 15 major gift solicitations per year once fully
  on-boarded.
• Identify and research/qualify new prospects by working
  independently and with colleagues to develop a robust philanthropic
  pipeline.
• Work in partnership with Vice President of Institutional
  Advancement and/or President on identifying a customized
  cultivation and solicitation strategy for those prospects with gift
  capacity at $100K and above.
• Lead specialized donor cultivation and recognition activities
  for high-capacity donors
• Track all prospect outreach and information in Raiser’s Edge
  and input contact reports in a timely fashion.
• Will support the many efforts of the Institutional Advancement
  team as needed.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Masters or other advanced degree,
  or additional certifications preferred.
• At least 5 years of development experience (higher-education
  sector preferred) with proven experience in major gifts
  cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship and/or campaigns with a
  proven record of success engaging high-net worth prospects and
  donors.
• The candidate must be visionary and possess strategic planning
  abilities to be applied toward developing the infrastructure of an
  innovative fundraising program and the leadership necessary to
  ensure its successful implementation.
• Must have strong executive presence and can connect effectively
  with a wide range of constituents. Must be able to clearly describe
  the College’s mission and impact.
• Strong level of comfort and confidence making the case for
  philanthropic support.
• Strong balance of both strategy and marketing
  capabilities.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter who works well independently and proactively with
  the ability to work in both an autonomous and team-based
  environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills to express
  the mission, vision, and impact of the College with clarity,
  passion, and persuasion.
• Candidates must be committed to implementing best practices,
  demonstrate an adherence to the highest standards of ethical
  fundraising practices.
• Must have a strong appreciation for the mission of the Wesleyan
  College.
• Experience and proficiency with Raiser’s Edge (NXT) or another
  CRM tools and working knowledge of Moves Management as a
  fundraising strategy and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel,
  PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Some travel required.

To apply for this position, please upload a letter of interest,
resume, and three references in pdf format. This position is
subject to close once a satisfactory candidate pool has been
identified.

Wesleyan College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The College
supports equal employment opportunities for all persons without
regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation,
religion, gender, national origin, status as a war veteran, age,
disability, or any other status protected by law. Hiring is
contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States,
individuals will be required to provide proof of identity and
eligibility for employment in the United States upon acceptance of
an employment offer.

Wesleyan College is a certified drug-free workplace employer.
All applicants being considered for employment are required to
submit to substance screening and must pass a criminal background
check as a condition of employment.

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