Strategic Development & Alumni Engagement Director

Tri Cityherald; Northern, Danbury (KY, CT); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Western Connecticut State University seeks a Director of Development & Alumni Engagement to provide strategic leadership for fundraising and alumni relations. The role oversees major gifts, donor stewardship, and volunteer programs while guiding staff toward fundraising goals.

The position manages a portfolio of high-potential donors and alumni prospects, partners with campus units, and develops diversified revenue strategies to advance institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred.
• Six (6) years of progressive, successful experience in fundraising, alumni relations, advancement, constituent engagement, or related nonprofit/higher education work.
• Proven track record of closing major gifts ($25,000+) and strengthening alumni participation, volunteer engagement, and philanthropic support.
• Background in capital campaigns and higher education advancement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of high-potential donors and alumni prospects by developing and implementing individualized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and major gift strategies.
• Implements data-informed fundraising, campaign, and alumni engagement strategies that increase donor engagement, alumni participation, philanthropic support, retention, and revenue growth.
• Oversees development staff by monitoring portfolio activity, tracking progress toward individual and team fundraising goals, and providing guidance to ensure consistent performance.
• Uses pipeline activity, alumni engagement data, and CRM/Raiser’s Edge records to assess donor movement, identify gaps, document interactions, and report progress toward fundraising and engagement benchmarks.
• Leads a comprehensive alumni relations program that strengthens lifelong alumni connection through events, communications, volunteer leadership, affinity groups, reunions, regional engagement, student-to-alumni initiatives, and donor stewardship.

Skills

Fundraising

Alumni engagement

Donor relations

Event planning

CRM systems

Data analytics

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Western Connecticut State University seeks a Director of Development & Alumni Engagement to provide strategic leadership for fundraising and alumni relations. The role oversees major gifts, donor stewardship, and volunteer programs while guiding staff toward fundraising goals.

The position manages a portfolio of high-potential donors and alumni prospects, partners with campus units, and develops diversified revenue strategies to advance institutional priorities.