Associate Director, Annual Fund and Development Events

6RC; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Longy School of Music of Bard College, based in Cambridge, MA, seeks an Associate Director of Annual Fund and Development Events to lead annual giving appeals and donor-centered events, including the Gala. You will manage a portfolio of donors up to $5,000, renewals, increases, and new gifts, while supporting grant efforts.

You will work with the Development Operations team on data-driven strategy, reporting, and gift processing, reporting to the Senior Director of Development and contributing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of experience in a fundraising environment.
• Experience with individual gift solicitation through annual campaigns and appeals.
• Experience planning and executing fundraising events.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the annual giving solicitation plan across direct mail, email, digital, and crowdfunding channels.
• Review campaign results and refine audience and channel mix.
• Manage a portfolio of donors giving up to $5,000 and meet annual goals.
• Plan and carry out donor stewardship and recognition activities.
• Support foundation/government grants by drafting proposals and coordinating attachments.
• Plan events including the annual Gala and donor cultivation events.
• Track ROI and apply learnings to future fundraising plans.
• Collaborate with Finance, Operations, and Leadership for data accuracy and reporting.

Skills

Fundraising analytics

Donor stewardship

Event planning

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

AudienceView

Salesforce

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Associate Director, Annual Fund and Development Events

Institutional Advancement Cambridge, MA, US

Salary Range: $80,000.00 To $90,000.00 Annually

Status: Full-time, exempt

Reports to: Senior Director of Development

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Director of Annual Fund and Development Events leads the planning and execution of Longy’s annual giving appeals and donor-facing events. The position manages a portfolio of individual donors giving up to $5,000, as assigned, and plays a key role in raising unrestricted support through renewals, increases, and new gifts. The Associate Director also provides periodic support for grant proposals and reports as needed, and plans and executes cultivation, stewardship, and special events, including the annual Gala.

This position uses data and analytics to shape strategy, working in partnership with the Associate Director of Development Operations, who manages gift entry, list pulling, and database administration. The Associate Director of Annual Fund and Development Events reports to the Senior Director of Development and supports the Development team and Leadership Team.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Annual Fund

• Develop and execute the annual giving solicitation plan across direct mail, email, digital, and crowdfunding channels, including copy, timelines, and coordination of mailings and sends with internal and external partners.
• Review campaign and appeal results, such as response rates, retention, upgrades, and donor segments, and use findings to refine audience selection, messaging, and channel mix. Request lists and reports from Development Operations as needed.
• Contribute to the strategic plan for annual and campaign fundraising.
• Manage and solicit an assigned portfolio of individual donors giving up to $5,000 as assigned, working toward a set annual goal through renewals, increases, and new gifts.
• Maintain portfolio and moves management for assigned donors, including regular outreach, documented contact reports, and next steps.
• Plan and carry out stewardship for individual donors, including recognition, and fulfillment of giving-level benefits.
• Identify donors with the capacity and interest for greater involvement and refer them to the Senior Director of Development for qualification.
• Provide periodic support for foundation and government grant efforts, such as drafting and editing proposals, assembling attachments, preparing reports, and tracking deadlines and requirements, in coordination with the Senior Director of Development.

Special Events

• Plan events in coordination with the Senior Director of Development and execute donor centered development events, including the annual Gala, pre- and post-event receptions, dinners, and donor cultivation and stewardship events.Support other institutional events, as necessary.
• Build and manage the timeline and budget and manage venue, logistics, catering, and vendor contracts and payments.
• Solicit table and ticket sponsors as assigned, manage registration and ticketing, and coordinate with on event materials and post-event follow up
• Track event ROI, attendance, and stewardship follow-up, and apply results to future events and fundraising plans.

Collaboration and Reporting

• Partner with the Associate Director of Development Operations, Finance, Communications, and executive leadership to align messaging, ensure accurate data and gift processing, and track progress against goals in Raiser’s Edge.
• Prepare regular reports on portfolio, annual fund, and event performance for the Senior Director of Development.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform the job.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 3 plus years of experience in a fundraising environment.
• Experience with individual gift solicitation through annual campaigns and appeals.
• Experience planning and executing fundraising events.

Preferred

• Experience in fast-paced fundraising, sales, or marketing.
• Experience with a donor database such as Raiser’s Edge, AudienceView, or Salesforce.
• Experience supporting grant proposals and reporting.
• Knowledge of the Greater Boston funding community.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The following are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.

• Working knowledge of development principles and of using information systems to support fundraising.
• Analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data and apply it to fundraising strategy.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and strong writing and editing skills.
• Basic accounting and budget knowledge.
• Computer proficiency.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Long periods of mental concentration.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and through communication media.
• Constant coordination of mental and visual attention.
• Ability to lift and move light objects and materials occasionally.
• Some travel required, but infrequent.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Usual office conditions.
• Evening and weekend work required for events, as needed.

About Longy

Because the world needs music now more than ever, Longy has reimagined conservatory education. We are leading the seismic shift, by centering music as social change, expanding the world’s understanding of what a life in music can mean. We prepare you to engage new audiences, teach anyone, anywhere — and make a difference with your music. Longy is a degree‐granting institution that serves over 300 undergraduate and graduate students from over 35 states and 25 countries at its Conservatory campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded as Longy School of Music in 1915 by renowned oboist Georges Longy, Longy is a conservatory with a social imperative, providing for all students a distinguished faculty that promotes profound musical understanding and technical prowess, encourages growth of imagination, and fosters inquiry about the role of music and the musician in society. Longy’s mission is to prepare musicians to make a difference in the world. Longy School of Music of Bard College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status, or age. Longy values the diversity of its community.