Senior Director of Development & Alumni Engagement

Kansas City International; Northern, Danbury (KY, CT); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Connecticut State University is seeking a Director of Development & Alumni Engagement to lead fundraising and alumni relations, managing high-potential donor portfolios and guiding staff toward strategic goals.

You will develop diversified revenue strategies—including major gifts, planned giving, and partnerships—while strengthening donor engagement and campus partnerships across the university's mission and priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's preferred.
• Six years of progressive fundraising or alumni relations experience.
• Proven track record in closing major gifts ($25,000+).
• Capital campaigns and higher education advancement experience preferred.
• Ability to craft donor-centric cases for support and engagement opportunities.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and project management skills.
• Experience with CRM systems like Blackbaud Raiser's Edge and related tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of high-potential donors and alumni prospects with tailored strategies.
• Lead data-informed fundraising, campaigns, and alumni engagement initiatives.
• Supervise staff and monitor progress toward fundraising goals.
• Collaborate with campus partners to create alumni participation opportunities.
• Develop and implement diversified revenue strategies through major gifts, planned giving, partnerships, and grants.
• Establish and monitor fundraising and alumni engagement metrics; adjust strategies as needed.
• Prepare materials for the President and Advancement leadership for donor and alumni engagements.

Skills

Fundraising

Alumni relations

Major gifts

Campaign management

Donor engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Outlook

AI fundraising tools

Job description

Western Connecticut State University is seeking a Director of Development & Alumni Engagement to lead fundraising and alumni relations, managing high-potential donor portfolios and guiding staff toward strategic goals.

You will develop diversified revenue strategies—including major gifts, planned giving, and partnerships—while strengthening donor engagement and campus partnerships across the university's mission and priorities.