"Deputy Director, Yale Alumni Fund"

Overview

Yale University seeks an experienced and successful manager to join the university’s division of Alumni Affairs and Development.

Yale’s annual fund programs, including Yale College, Yale Parents, and the Graduate School and Professional Schools, play a vital role in raising unrestricted funds that support the university’s fundamental priorities. These priorities encompass financial aid, the enhancement of student life, and the advancement of teaching and research.

As a senior leader within the Alumni Fund team, the Deputy Director offers strategic leadership and guidance to a dedicated team charged with advancing fundraising and engagement efforts throughout Yale’s annual fund programs. This position is not only a frontline fundraiser but also oversees both staff and volunteers, ensuring that projects and priorities are managed effectively to increase donor participation and provide essential support for the university’s core needs.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director of the Yale Alumni Fund, the Deputy Director works collaboratively across the institution, acting as a resource for team members and campus partners. This collaborative approach helps foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, which is crucial for sustaining and enhancing engagement and fundraising outcomes among students, alumni, and parents.

The ideal candidate for this role will have a proven track record in fundraising, effective staff management, and demonstrated success as a collaborative leader. The Yale Alumni Fund serves as an integral part of Yale University's For Humanity Campaign, a university-wide fundraising initiative designed to address pressing global challenges. This campaign is scheduled to conclude in June 2026.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Proven ability to mentor and guide staff to collaborate with colleagues and execute immediate strategies and long-term projects. Experience in leading, coaching and motivating other professionals. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
2. Proven track record in fundraising. Demonstrated accomplishment in managing or executing a wide range of solicitation, marketing, or stewardship activities.
3. Possesses excellent written, oral and presentation skills. Experience synthesizing and prioritizing information from a wide array of sources while maintaining attention to detail and effectively managing workflow. Excellent organizational and analytical skills and the ability to improve business practices and processes.
4. Proactive, productive team contributor with a positive attitude.
5. Possesses initiative, creativity, a data-driven work ethic, and willingness to take personal responsibility for outcomes. Results-oriented, driven to succeed, innovative, and inspired by challenging goals.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Directs and grows a team of development professionals responsible for generating an increased volume of successful development activities and establishing a culture that encourages ever-improving levels of performance and responsiveness to donors.
2. Works closely with senior management to develop both short- and long-term fundraising goals and strategies.
3. Works with staff to develop and implement plans to carry out the organization's goals and strategies, including establishing specific activity goals for all phases of the donor/prospect life-cycle (cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship).
4. Manages engagement of faculty, administrators, and University officials in fundraising efforts.
5. Personally maintains a portfolio of gift prospects.
6. Works regularly and cooperatively with other development offices to ensure overall development priorities, plans, and initiatives are coordinated.
7. May travel (possibly extensively) commensurate with Yale’s standard expectations for fundraising activity, contact and travel.
8. Performs additional development-related activities/efforts at the request of manager.
9. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree and six or more years of related work experience in an academic institution or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in managing/leading a team of fundraising professionals in an academic setting is preferred.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Valid driver’s license required.