Chief Development Officer

, a four-year national liberal arts college for women founded in 1836, is a leader and innovator in women’s education. The first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women, Wesleyan’s academically challenging, inclusive environment helps prepare women to live purposeful and connected lives. A strength of this small liberal arts college is our diverse student population and our commitment to liberal arts and justice throughout our curriculum. Faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, diversity, and community.

Wesleyan College is currently seeking an exceptional individual to fill the pivotal role of Chief Development Officer to help expand our development capacity and propel our fundraising significantly forward in 2024 and beyond. The successful candidate will ideally have experience in sophisticated development operations with expertise to grow our capacity in major gifts.

The right candidate will be a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader who will be successful as an individual contributor in a robust fundraising operation through solicitations and closing major gifts at the five and six-figure and above level. The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will develop, engage, solicit and steward a portfolio of prospective donors capable of gifts of five figures and above while helping to grow the College’s presence and brand throughout the United States and abroad.

Reporting to the Vice President, Institutional Advancement, the Chief Development Officer will focus primarily on securing operating, capital and restricted support from individual, corporate and foundation donors and prospects. This includes developing and broadening the major gifts pool, soliciting leadership gifts, preparing letter of inquiries, proposals and strengthening donor stewardship. Exceptional candidates must have the creativity and grit required to connect with current donors and new prospects through a variety of mediums including letters of inquiry, cold calls/emails, identification of warm introductions through common connections, leveraging the networks of our Trustees, etc.

The Chief Development Officer will staff the President on key fundraising calls and be responsible for preparing the strategy, outreach and follow-up for the President. Other responsibilities include developing and managing a portfolio of donors for the purpose of supporting the various priorities of Wesleyan College. The CDO will work independently to arrange in-person meetings including follow up, working collaboratively and creatively with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and President to plan and implement thoughtful engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. The selected candidate will contribute in a comprehensive manner to Wesleyan’s strategic plan, priorities, programs, and key financial measures to best represent our interests.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gifts prospects including individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Develop strategies and approaches to generate higher levels of giving; including conducting donor contacts/visits with prospects and donors each month.
• Make at least 15 major gift solicitations per year once fully on-boarded.
• Identify and research/qualify new prospects by working independently and with colleagues to develop a robust philanthropic pipeline.
• Work in partnership with Vice President of Institutional Advancement and/or President on identifying a customized cultivation and solicitation strategy for those prospects with gift capacity at $100K and above.
• Lead specialized donor cultivation and recognition activities for high-capacity donors
• Track all prospect outreach and information in Raiser’s Edge and input contact reports in a timely fashion.
• Will support the many efforts of the Institutional Advancement team as needed.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Masters or other advanced degree, or additional certifications preferred.
• At least 5 years of development experience (higher-education sector preferred) with proven experience in major gifts cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship and/or campaigns with a proven record of success engaging high-net worth prospects and donors.
• The candidate must be visionary and possess strategic planning abilities to be applied toward developing the infrastructure of an innovative fundraising program and the leadership necessary to ensure its successful implementation.
• Must have strong executive presence and can connect effectively with a wide range of constituents. Must be able to clearly describe the College’s mission and impact.
• Strong level of comfort and confidence making the case for philanthropic support.
• Strong balance of both strategy and marketing capabilities.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• Self-starter who works well independently and proactively with the ability to work in both an autonomous and team-based environment.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills to express the mission, vision, and impact of the College with clarity, passion, and persuasion.
• Candidates must be committed to implementing best practices, demonstrate an adherence to the highest standards of ethical fundraising practices.
• Must have a strong appreciation for the mission of the Wesleyan College.
• Experience and proficiency with Raiser’s Edge (NXT) or another CRM tools and working knowledge of Moves Management as a fundraising strategy and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Some travel required.

To apply for this position, please upload a letter of interest, resume, and three references in pdf format. This position is subject to close once a satisfactory candidate pool has been identified.

Wesleyan College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The College supports equal employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, gender, national origin, status as a war veteran, age, disability, or any other status protected by law. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States, individuals will be required to provide proof of identity and eligibility for employment in the United States upon acceptance of an employment offer.

Wesleyan College is a certified drug-free workplace employer. All applicants being considered for employment are required to submit to substance screening and must pass a criminal background check as a condition of employment.