"Director of Leadership Giving & Annual Fund Programs"

Job Details

Wheaton is a leading private, coeducational, liberal arts college of 1800 students located in Norton, MA and within easy commuting distance of Boston and Providence.

Posting Details

• Posting Number: 0601246
• Position Title: Director of Leadership Giving & Annual Fund Programs
• FLSA: Exempt
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Staff Term: 12 Months
• Staff Work Schedule (hours/dates): 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday
• Academic Year Schedule (dates): 12 months
• Faculty Term: Full Academic Year
• Position Type: Staff
• Department: College Advancement

Job Summary/Basic Function

Wheaton College is seeking an experienced Director of Leadership Giving & Annual Programs to lead and grow a program responsible for raising $4M+ annually in unrestricted giving. As a member of the individual giving team, the Director is responsible for overseeing all front-line fundraisers, the annual fund staff and all Annual Fund programs and staff, as well as working closely with all members of the advancement division and select members of the President’s Council, Board of Trustees, and Alumni Board of Directors. In addition to leading Wheaton’s Leadership Giving and Annual Giving programming, this position carries a portfolio of top annual fund prospects with the capacity to make outright gifts of $2,500-$25,000+ (i.e. multi-year commitments of $10,000-$125,000+).To be successful in meeting the goals set by the Vice President for Advancement and the Vice President for Finance and Administration, the candidate is expected to devise cultivation strategies which advance relationships and lead to the solicitation of hundreds of prospects. This position will often work closely with Advancement leadership and selected college administrators to maximize fundraising productivity and high-value leadership fundraising volunteer engagement.

Supervise and mentor a team of senior development officers, annual fund staff and support staff, including hiring, training, development, workflow, and performance management. This management is inclusive of oversight and assessment of the development, execution, and progress of annual campaigns and the on-going comprehensive campaign in partnership with the Senior Associate Director of Annual Giving and Associate Vice President for Individual Giving.

Manage a portfolio of leadership prospects and lead key solicitations for multi-year gifts of $10,000-$125,000+.

Manage the College’s, high-value Annual Giving Leadership Council to ensure the growth of annual Impact Fund dollars and leadership donors.

Performs all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for the role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5+ years of experience in leadership giving, fundraising, or similar field
• Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with seven to ten (7-10) years of prior leadership giving (or major gift) frontline fundraising experience and a proven track record of growing annual fund results, preferably within (but not limited to) the college/university setting or in an independent school environment.
• Proven experience managing high-value leadership volunteers.
• Flexibility, excellent attention to detail, initiative, and understanding of results-driven philosophy with the ability to problem-solve.
• Highly motivated, disciplined work ethic, a competitive drive, an entrepreneurial spirit, a creative approach, a positive attitude, and a proven ability to work within diverse teams.
• Excellent organizational skills including experience independently overseeing and executing complex projects and programs in a timely manner.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required including the ability to write in multiple styles/voices and proactively edit as necessary.
• Appreciation of Wheaton’s mission and the ability to effectively communicate it to all constituencies.
• Ability to convey discretion and good judgment with confidential information.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community and make an impact in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment.
• Must be willing to travel and work outside of normal working hours.
• A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation
• An offer of employment will be contingent on the completion of a successful background check.

Compensation and Benefits

To attract and retain the most talented individuals, Wheaton College maintains a flexible and competitive staff compensation and benefits program.

When determining and establishing hiring rates or recruitment ranges for a position, the College considers a number of factors including the budget for the position, the range of the grade, the external market for the position or similar positions, level and scope of responsibilities, required education, skills and relevant experience as well as internal equity. All salary offers must have the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

The anticipated hiring or recruitment range for this position is $100 – $130K,commensurate with the qualifications, education and experience of the candidate selected.

Physical Demands

Sitting, repetitive hand motion (such as typing), hearing, listening, talking, and standing. Office environment/no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.

ADA Statement

Individuals must possess these knowledges, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Eeo Statement

Wheaton College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich an intellectually diverse learning environment, the Department and the College actively encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Wheaton’s core belief is that valuing diversity is pivotal to personal development, intellectual expansion, and societal equity. Our community is united by a shared dedication to equity and access that is essential to providing a transformative education in the Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Posting Date

10/22/2025

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Contact(s)

Office of Human Resources

Contact Phone/Extension

508-286-8206

Contact Email

careers@wheatoncollege.edu

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. List of References
3. Resume