Assistant/Associate Director of Alumni Affairs and Development, School of Architecture

Overview

Reporting to the Senior Director of Alumni Affairs and Development, the Assistant/Associate Director serves as a key member of the development team for the School of Architecture in the planning, organization, and implementation of the school’s comprehensive alumni relations and fundraising program. Key responsibilities follow. Provides high-level strategic thinking, writing, and coordination to enhance the schools’ development efforts. Leads and administers direct mail, email, and phone solicitation program, including goal setting, strategy and design, volunteering management, and liaising with the Yale Alumni Fund team. Serves as a partner for the Senior Director of Alumni Affairs and Development in the identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of leadership and major gifts donors and manages their own portfolio of individual donors. Engages with and supports leadership councils as needed. Prepares and analyzes reports to assess metrics, and implements improvements to better capture, track, and report on donor and alumni activity. Drafts and maintains written development materials for print, web, social, reports, and individual correspondence for the School of Architecture. Manages gift stewardship process and timeline. Assists in devising and implementing an alumni engagement strategy. Organizes, executes, and staffs development and alumni relations events as requested. Researches grant opportunities and works with colleagues in Corporate and Foundation Relations, and when required the Office of Sponsored Projects, on applications and reporting.

Additional duties may include: Representing the unit at school and university meetings. Serving as an ambassador of the school at public functions, reunion gatherings, and other school and university events. Serving on committees and attending meetings as assigned.

The information provided in the Principal Responsibilities below is generic in nature; prospective applicants will find the information in this Position Focus to be most relevant to the position.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Professionalism, mature judgement and discretion, sense of humor, and ability to work well within a collegial and collaborative work environment. Able to maintain strict confidentiality.
2. Outstanding editing, strategic and analytical thinking, and persuasive and concise spoken and written communication skills.
3. Demonstrated ability to meet competing deadlines on time, while working independently and exercising thoughtful prioritization, including an aptitude for analytical tools and quantitative measurements for management, tracking, planning, and communication of fundraising progress and effectiveness.
4. Appreciation and respect for principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Ability to engage with diverse audiences (age, gender, nationality, race/ethnicity, profession, sexual orientation, etc.).
5. Must have a flexible schedule and the availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed, to accommodate events, meetings, and travel program. Must be able to travel both in the United States and internationally, as needed.
6. Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

1. Advanced degree in a related field such as architecture, history of art, writing, or communications.
2. Experience in non-profit administration, particularly in fundraising, alumni/membership affairs, or grant writing.
3. A genuine passion for the mission of Yale, the School of Architecture, and for the importance of architecture, design, and/or higher education.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Measures success of developmental events and programs; recommends changes.
2. Contributes in planning and implementing cultivation and solicitation activities.
3. Researches and identifies potential new donors.
4. Contributes in development of financial solicitation programs, meets activity and revenue goals.
5. Analyzes grant-making organizations to identify likely funding sources for specific projects and programs.
6. Compiles, writes, and edits grant applications; federal, state, foundation, corporate.
7. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required. Four years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.