Head of Leadership Giving & Donor Development

Colby College; Waterville (ME); On-site; USD 106,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Colby College in Waterville, ME seeks a Senior Director of Leadership Giving & Donor Development to lead leadership annual giving and donor development strategy. The role oversees frontline fundraising, engages high-level donors, and mentors LAGO/DXO staff while growing a portfolio of leadership donors and volunteers.

The position reports to the Executive Director of Annual Giving and focuses on building donor participation, retention, upgrading, and long-term philanthropic growth across Colby’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience.
• 7+ years of fundraising, donor development, or relationship management experience.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing staff, including establishing metrics and ensuring accountability.
• Experience leading volunteers to achieve organizational goals.
• Strong organizational, project management, and operational leadership skills.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.
• Comfort using fundraising technology, analytics, and donor management systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee frontline fundraising leadership and management of LAGOs, DXOs, Class Philanthropy Officers, and other team members.
• Develop leadership giving and donor engagement strategies to increase retention, upgrades, and contributions.
• Manage a portfolio of leadership-level donors and volunteers, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospects.
• Coordinate with Advancement colleagues to strengthen donor movement from participation through leadership and major giving.
• Build and operationalize donor journeys, fundraising programs, and campaign outreach across Colby Advancement.

Skills

Leadership

Portfolio management

Donor development

Staff coaching

Relationship management

Communication

Fundraising technology

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Donor management systems

Job description

Colby College in Waterville, ME seeks a Senior Director of Leadership Giving & Donor Development to lead leadership annual giving and donor development strategy. The role oversees frontline fundraising, engages high-level donors, and mentors LAGO/DXO staff while growing a portfolio of leadership donors and volunteers.

The position reports to the Executive Director of Annual Giving and focuses on building donor participation, retention, upgrading, and long-term philanthropic growth across Colby’s