Assistant Director, Student & Young Alumni Giving

LM Wind Power / GE; City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation and holidays

Healthcare coverage

Tuition exchange

Retirement plan (403b)

On-campus fitness access

Job summary

Union College in Schenectady, NY, seeks an Assistant Director of Student and Young Alumni Giving to strategize and execute programs that foster a culture of giving among students and recent graduates. You will lead the GOLD program, manage student philanthropy initiatives, and oversee the Annual Giving Phonathon as part of the college’s engagement and fundraising goals.

The role supervises student workers, collaborates with Alumni & Parent Engagement, and helps shape the annual giving plan to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years in annual giving or related fields.
• Understanding of philanthropy trends in higher education fundraising.
• Experience managing student workers or volunteers.
• Proven fundraising strategy experience for students and young alumni.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders and maintain confidentiality.
• Data analysis skills to inform decision-making.
• Familiarity with fundraising software/CRM systems.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Lead and champion the GOLD program and volunteer-led fundraising for young alumni.
• Oversee the GOLD Committee and develop initiatives for increased alumni participation.
• Cultivate and steward GOLD donors and prospects to advance major gift potential.
• Expand student philanthropy, including the senior class gift campaign.
• Recruit and lead the Senior Class Gift Committee.
• Oversee Phonathon program and analyze performance data for optimization.
• Recruit, train, and mentor student workers and ensure a positive, high-performance environment.
• Contribute to annual strategic plan for the Office of Annual Giving and support campus events.

Skills

Fundraising

Alumni relations

Volunteer management

Data analysis

CRM systems

Interpersonal skills

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM software

Job description

The Assistant Director of Student & Young Alumni Philanthropy leads the strategic development and execution of programs designed to build a culture of giving among students and recent graduates. This role directs the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) program, manages student philanthropy initiatives, and oversees the Annual Giving Phonathon program, directly contributing to the College’s engagement and fundraising goals.

Position Title

Assistant Director, Student and Young Alumni Giving

Pay Status and Classification

Exempt, Regular Full-time

Relocation & Visa

This position is not eligible for relocation assistance or visa sponsorship.

Supervisor

Director of Annual Giving

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Young Alumni Philanthropy: Program Management: Lead and champion the GOLD program, driving a volunteer-led fundraising strategy for young alumni. Collaborate with Alumni & Parent Engagement to align philanthropic initiatives with broader engagement goals.
• Volunteer Management: Oversee the GOLD Committee to develop initiatives that increase young alumni participation. Lead fundraising efforts for 1st, 5th, and 10th ReUnion Committees.
• Portfolio Management: Cultivate and steward a portfolio of GOLD leadership donors and prospects, strategically advancing relationships to identify major gift potential.
• Student Philanthropy: Program Management: Expand student philanthropy program, including the senior class gift campaign, to educate students on the impact of giving.
• Volunteer Management: Recruit and lead the Senior Class Gift Committee to champion the class campaign.
• Phonathon: Program Management: Oversee a dynamic Phonathon program that integrates with the Annual Giving solicitation strategy. Analyze performance data and prepare statistical reports for the Director of Annual Giving to refine program efficacy.
• Student Supervision: Recruit, train, and mentor student workers, fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performance environment that motivates student callers to achieve fundraising goals.
• General College Relations: Participates in the development and execution of an annual strategic plan for the Office of Annual Giving. Staff College Relations events as needed, including Homecoming and Family Weekend and ReUnion. Contribute to other campus initiatives and key college priorities if and when opportunities arise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two or more years of experience in annual giving, development, alumni relations, or related fields, or a combination of relevant education, training, certifications, and/or work experience.
• Strong understanding of philanthropy trends and best practices in higher education fundraising.
• Experience in managing and motivating student workers or volunteers.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing successful fundraising strategies for students and young alumni.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and foster an inclusive environment among students, alumni, and colleagues.
• Proficiency in data analysis and utilizing metrics to inform decision-making.
• Familiarity with fundraising software and Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel, work occasional weekends, and participate in evening events as required.
• Passion for higher education and the mission of the College.
• Ability to exercise exceptional judgment, ensure strict confidentiality, and demonstrate outstanding professionalism in a range of situations.

Compensation

The annual salary range for this position is $64,000. Except for roles with a set rate of pay, the wage/salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The stated hiring rate/range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the rate/range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Location

Schenectady, NY

Benefits

• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time
• Winter Recess Break in Addition to Paid Holidays (in accordance with policy)
• Healthcare: Medical (PPO & HDHP), Dental, and Vision Insurance (Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts)
• Free On-Campus Fitness Facility Access and Discounts for On-Campus Wellness Programs
• Pre and Post Tax participation in a 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Salary Continuation Program in the event of Disability
• Tuition Exchange

Background Checks

In accordance with our background check policy, finalists for hire will undergo a background check that includes education, employment, and criminal convictions.

E-Verify Participation

Union College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify and your Right to Work (Derecho a Trabajar).

Union College Overview

Union College Officially chartered in 1795, Union College is the fifth-oldest liberal arts college in the country. Located in the Capital District of New York State, Union is a highly selective residential and undergraduate college, home to 2,200 students and 220 faculty, and offering 44 majors. Union was the first liberal arts college to rethink the traditional liberal arts education and adopt an engineering curriculum. That pioneering approach continues today with an education that encourages students to work beyond the limits of disciplinary boundaries, allowing them to think globally and lead innovatively in a world where problem-solving requires breadth across humanities, arts, social sciences, science, and engineering.

Accommodations

If you require an accommodation throughout the interview process, please don't hesitate to contact our Human Resources department at [e-mail] or 518-388-6108.

Equal Access & Diversity

We are committed to ensuring that all candidates have equal access to opportunities and can participate in a fair and inclusive hiring process.

Diversity at Union College Union College is an equal-opportunity employer and is strongly committed to student and workforce diversity. Increasing diversity on campus is a critical priority for Union, one that is integral to our mission of preparing students for a globally interconnected world. Union provides a blend of intellectual, social, and cultural opportunities to facilitate the integrated academic, social, and personal development of a diverse community. We value and are committed to a host of diverse populations and cultures including, but not limited to, those based on race, religion, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, and veteran status. Union College is committed to providing access and will provide reasonable accommodation in its application process to individuals with disabilities who request such accommodations.

Union College will not discriminate in the recruitment or selection of faculty and employees, or in any other area of employment, on the basis of age, sex, race, national origin, religion, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and veteran status. In this regard, opportunities for advancement will be made available without bias. Union College will comply with the letter and intent of all State and Federal laws and applicable orders pursuant to Equal Employment Opportunity.