Reports To: Vice President of Advancement
Position Overview
As we prepare for our upcoming comprehensive campaign, the Associate Director of Advancement will serve as a key strategic partner and operational lead. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Advancement, this role provides high-level support to the VP by driving campaign operations, conducting prospect research, managing meeting logistics, and building critical progress reports.
The ideal candidate is the perfect blend of tactical and strategic—someone who can flawlessly execute projects and systems, while also thinking critically about pipeline development and campaign strategy. In addition to supporting the VP and the broader Advancement team, the Associate Director will have the opportunity to directly manage and solicit a select portfolio of their own prospects.
Key Responsibilities
- Campaign Strategy & Executive Support
- Serve as the operational lead for campaign infrastructure, including tracking goals, managing timelines, and driving day-to-day campaign execution.
- Act as the primary support to the VP of Advancement, coordinating their prospect strategy, managing follow-up, and preparing all travel and meeting materials.
- Provide high-level support to the Campaign Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, including meeting planning, strategic presentations, minutes, and communications.
- Collaborate with the VP and Advancement leadership to develop and maintain systems, processes, and tools that support large-scale fundraising efforts.
Prospect Research & Pipeline Management
- Provide comprehensive donor research and screening; develop strategic prospect profiles and briefings to support the VP and major gift officers.
- Facilitate campaign prospect pipeline meetings to coordinate strategy, oversee major gift portfolios, and ensure appropriate follow-up.
- Implement and maintain a robust Moves Management process, accurately documenting engagement and solicitation activity within the CRM database.
Direct Fundraising
- Manage a select portfolio of individual prospects, developing strategies for their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Prepare compelling gift proposals, grant requests, and solicitation materials for prospective donors and foundations.
Reporting & Data Management
- Create and maintain campaign dashboards and comprehensive reports detailing progress, total gifts/pledges, cash flow projections, and volunteer performance.
- Analyze data to assess performance against campaign goals, presenting strategic insights to leadership and campaign committees.
- Manage campaign gift agreements, recognition policies, and campaign counting guidelines in accordance with industry best practices.
Events, Communications & Stewardship
- Coordinate and support all campaign-specific events, including luncheons, regional events, the launch gala, and the close-out celebration.
- Partner with marketing and communications staff to execute a comprehensive campaign communications plan (newsletters, website, videos, impact pieces) and ensure timeliness of deliverables.
- Work closely with Donor Relations to support comprehensive stewardship efforts, including tailored reports, recognition, and personalized follow-up.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree required. 3–5 years of progressive experience in advancement, fundraising, or campaign operations, ideally in an educational or nonprofit setting.
- Technical Proficiency: Strong proficiency in CRM databases (e.g., Raiser's Edge) and prospect research tools a plus. Excellent command of Google Suite and Microsoft Excel for reporting, analysis, and dashboard creation.
- Strategic & Tactical Mindset: Proven ability to independently execute complex administrative projects while also contributing to high-level fundraising strategy.
- Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; adept at creating compelling proposals and clear executive reports.
- Interpersonal Skills: Highly collaborative team player who is comfortable engaging confidently and professionally with donors, volunteers, and senior leadership.
- Organization & Discretion: High attention to detail, ability to manage multiple shifting priorities, and a strict commitment to maintaining confidentiality with sensitive donor data.