Carney, Sandoe & Associates Hiring for Director of the Alumni Fund|Kent School Job at Kent, CT Full Time

CARNEY SANDOE & ASSOCIATES has been retained by Kent School located in Kent, Connecticut, to conduct a national search for their next Director of the Alumni Fund.

Founded in 1906, Kent School is an independent co-educational college preparatory school serving 520 students in grades 9-12 on a 1,200 acre campus nestled between the Appalachian Trail and the Housatonic River in Kent, Connecticut.

As an independent boarding school in keeping with the Episcopal Church, Kent prepares students for college and for life with a rigorous and comprehensive program. The school teaches those who strive to grow, nurtures striving where it falters, fosters academic excellence, and promotes understanding of and respect for one another’s beliefs and differences.

Director of the Alumni Fund

The Director of the Alumni Fund will be tasked with the operations and day-to-day management of a complex Alumni giving program, ensuring alignment with the School’s institutional priorities. The Director of the Alumni Fund will work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, Director of Development, Director of Parent Giving, Director of Donor Relations, Director of Advancement Services & Operations, and other internal and external stakeholders to strengthen and grow both dollars and donors year-over-year to the Kent Annual Fund and other institutional priorities.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with the creation of Alumni & Development’s (A&D’s) strategic plan, especially as it relates to alumni giving, aligning fundraising efforts with institutional priorities, and preparing for an upcoming comprehensive campaign.
• Develop and manage an 18-month operational plan to address the immediate and long-term goals of Alumni and Development, working in alignment with all areas of Alumni and Development, especially with alumni engagement and donor relations.
• Create and manage a robust, data-driven solicitation strategy to grow the number of annual fund supporters and dollars each year by acquiring, retaining, and upgrading donors and to meet targeted annual fund goals.
• Track and measure results to lead conversations with the A&D team, drive future strategies, and provide a historical context.
• Enhance donor recognition programs including leadership and annual giving societies ensuring that those programs serve as both retention and acquisition programs.
• Working with the Director of Alumni Engagement, re-energize the Class Agent Program, define clear goals and objectives (with a focus on giving), and oversee select Reunion Class Volunteers (including their Reunion giving), and the Volunteer Management System (VMS).
• Strengthen the Reunion Giving Program aligned with the School’s fundraising priorities.
• Support the Alumni & Development team in all initiatives.
• Travel for donor visits and Alumni & Development events.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Development.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of development/advancement experience, with a preference for a background at an independent boarding school or higher education.
• Experience with NXT, BBNC, and GiveCampus preferred.
• A proven track record of successful collaboration with teammates, volunteers, donors, and school leadership, including Head of School/President, and Alumni Council/Alumni Association.
• Experience driving institutional change through an organization’s history through a communicative, collaborative, and inclusive approach.
• Be fluent with, and committed to, the mission of the School.
• Ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the full range of experience within a development team.
• Possess a high degree of professional discretion, integrity, good judgment, and high standards of professional conduct.
• Collaborate actively by soliciting and suggesting new ideas and improving upon the ideas of others.
• Superior organizational and planning skills that enable the department and School to meet both short and long-term goals.

Additional Requirements:

• Successful completion of post-offer, pre-employment criminal background checks, and drug tests.
• Work is performed on a smoke free campus.

A full position description can be viewed here: https://www.carneysandoe.com/assets/Kent-DoAF-CSA.pdf

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Kent, CT: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Education:

• Bachelor’s (Required)

Work Location: One location