Development Programs Manager

Babson College • Wellesley, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Development Programs Manager is responsible for designing, leading, and delivering complex, high-impact development programs that advance Babson College’s philanthropic goals and strengthen engagement with global alumni, donors, and institutional leaders. This role serves as the strategic driver for Babson Connect Worldwide (BCW), Board-related engagement initiatives, and select high-profile development moments, ensuring each program aligns with institutional priorities and produces meaningful advancement outcomes. Specifically responsible for leading program strategy, content development, stakeholder management, and outcomes, while working in close partnership with Advancement colleagues and cross-functional partners in Events and Marketing, who lead logistical execution and promotion; and requires strong judgment, executive presence, and the ability to manage sophisticated constituencies, including high-net-worth individuals, advisory committee members, sponsors, and senior leadership. WHAT YOU WILL DO Conceive, develop, and drive the programmatic vision for Babson Connect Worldwide (BCW), a multi-day international convening that advances Babson’s philanthropic priorities and global engagement strategy. Lead agenda development, content strategy, and speaker themes to support learning, idea exchange, donor engagement, and philanthropy. Identify and evaluate international destinations for BCW, applying cultural fluency and strategic judgment to ensure locations support program objectives, audience engagement, and advancement outcomes. Lead the development and execution of signature Advancement programming that aligns with presidential travel, fundraising initiatives, and donor‑engagement trips, ensuring cohesive experiences that elevate institutional visibility and philanthropic impact. Provide programmatic leadership across all BCW components, with a defined scope focused on strategy, while partnering closely with Donor Experience Events and Marketing teams, who manage responsibility for logistics, communications, and production. This role focuses on clarity of roles, timelines, and expectations, to drive seamless delivery, not the direct management or execution of event or marketing functions. Establish, manage, and lead a high-level Advisory Committee composed of major and principal gift prospects. Cultivate relationships with committee members; guide discussions; influence outcomes; and, when necessary, push back to maintain alignment with Babson’s priorities. Drive sponsorship strategy and engagement for BCW, including individual and corporate partners. Manage ongoing relationships, facilitate regular touchpoints, and ensure sponsor participation supports both the program and broader advancement goals. Fundraising and sponsor engagement are core performance metrics. Ensure BCW progresses toward long-term sustainability, including diversified sponsorship support (cash and in-kind), strong attendance, and demonstrable advancement outcomes. Research, recruit, and engage site-specific committee members and partners, convening focus sessions to surface ideas, opportunities, and partnerships that strengthen the BCW program year over year. Manage additional high-profile development programs and engagements as assigned, including board-related initiatives and signature institutional moments. Collaborate with Donor Experience (Events, Marketing and Stewardship) to provide strategy and programmatic leadership for these additional high-profile development programs and engagements as assigned, including board-related initiatives and signature institutional moments. Partner closely with Babson leadership and advisory committees to shape program topics, speaker strategy, and overall direction, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and campaign priorities. Serve as the primary strategic lead for committee engagement and decision-making. Collaborate with Donor Experience and College Marketing to ensure messaging, positioning, and visibility efforts align program strategy and target audiences, while not directly executing marketing or media plans. Engage senior leadership, including the President and President’s Council, to ensure a coordinated “One Babson” approach across signature engagements and maximize institutional impact. Oversee program-level registration strategy, reporting, and stakeholder updates. Work within established program budgets for BCW and related initiatives, partnering closely with the Events team to ensure alignment with financial parameters and advancement objectives. Lead programmatic planning and engagement strategy for the Global Advisory Board’s annual multi-day destination experience, ensuring meaningful content, strong participation, and advancement outcomes. Assume additional responsibilities consistent with a senior development program role in a complex advancement organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 8-10+ years of experience in advancement, development programs, executive education, convenings, or complex stakeholder-driven initiatives.
• Proven ability to lead sophisticated programs with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Must have previous experience in strategic event programing
• Must have experience in personal solicitation
• Strong judgment, diplomacy, and confidence navigating challenging conversations.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working with a diverse student body, faculty, staff, and other constituents
• Ability to envision and propose new methods to perform tasks that support ET&A; work independently to solve problems; look for opportunities to take on responsibility; take thoughtful risks; and accept new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions to gain sought-after results.
• Ability to anticipate and embrace change; demonstrate willingness to achieve, acquire, and utilize new skills and challenging tasks; and is flexible in changing conditions.
• Must have strong technology skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
• Highly organized, strategic thinker with the ability to drive outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish credibility and confidence with stakeholders
• Must have exceptional collaboration and interpersonal skills, and the ability to be effective engaging with all levels within the college
• Demonstrated effectiveness in planning, administration, and fiscal management
• Must have exceptional presentation skills and strong project management skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Must have the flexibility and willingness to assume new tasks and special projects
• Ability to travel and staff events as necessary, domestically and internationally.
• Requires work onsite a minimum of 3 days a week (Monday and a minimum of 2 other days; additional requirements based on outlined department policy); the on-campus requirement is subject to modification based on organizational need.
• Must have had a valid unrestricted U.S. Driver’s License for one year, and maintain throughout employment an insurable (as determined by the College’s insurer’s criteria) or a satisfactory driving record; must successfully complete and pass the College’s vehicle training program within the first 60 days of employment; annual or more frequent review of employee’s driving record based on the College insurer’s criteria; and safety training as required by management.
• Requires occasional nights/weekends

Nice To Haves

• Ability to translate strategy into operational objectives and tactics

Responsibilities

• Conceive, develop, and drive the programmatic vision for Babson Connect Worldwide (BCW)
• Lead agenda development, content strategy, and speaker themes to support learning, idea exchange, donor engagement, and philanthropy.
• Identify and evaluate international destinations for BCW, applying cultural fluency and strategic judgment to ensure locations support program objectives, audience engagement, and advancement outcomes.
• Lead the development and execution of signature Advancement programming that aligns with presidential travel, fundraising initiatives, and donor‑engagement trips, ensuring cohesive experiences that elevate institutional visibility and philanthropic impact.
• Provide programmatic leadership across all BCW components, with a defined scope focused on strategy, while partnering closely with Donor Experience Events and Marketing teams, who manage responsibility for logistics, communications, and production.
• Establish, manage, and lead a high-level Advisory Committee composed of major and principal gift prospects.
• Drive sponsorship strategy and engagement for BCW, including individual and corporate partners.
• Ensure BCW progresses toward long-term sustainability, including diversified sponsorship support (cash and in-kind), strong attendance, and demonstrable advancement outcomes.
• Research, recruit, and engage site-specific committee members and partners, convening focus sessions to surface ideas, opportunities, and partnerships that strengthen the BCW program year over year.
• Manage additional high-profile development programs and engagements as assigned, including board-related initiatives and signature institutional moments.
• Collaborate with Donor Experience (Events, Marketing and Stewardship) to provide strategy and programmatic leadership for these additional high-profile development programs and engagements as assigned, including board-related initiatives and signature institutional moments.
• Partner closely with Babson leadership and advisory committees to shape program topics, speaker strategy, and overall direction, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and campaign priorities.
• Serve as the primary strategic lead for committee engagement and decision-making.
• Collaborate with Donor Experience and College Marketing to ensure messaging, positioning, and visibility efforts align program strategy and target audiences, while not directly executing marketing or media plans.
• Engage senior leadership, including the President and President’s Council, to ensure a coordinated “One Babson” approach across signature engagements and maximize institutional impact.
• Oversee program-level registration strategy, reporting, and stakeholder updates.
• Work within established program budgets for BCW and related initiatives, partnering closely with the Events team to ensure alignment with financial parameters and advancement objectives.
• Lead programmatic planning and engagement strategy for the Global Advisory Board’s annual multi-day destination experience, ensuring meaningful content, strong participation, and advancement outcomes.
• Assume additional responsibilities consistent with a senior development program role in a complex advancement organization.

Benefits

• Babson College offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees working at least 28 hours per week.
• Insurance Coverage: Medical, dental, vision, group life and long-term disability insurance, business travel accident insurance, and mental health benefits.
• Time Off: Starting at 3 weeks of vacation annually, 2 weeks of sick time, 1 week of paid family illness time, 6 weeks of paid parental leave, and 12 paid holidays per year. President’s holidays are determined each year.
• Retirement: Participation in a 403(b) retirement plan with mandatory employee contributions and a 4:1 employer match.
• Additional Benefits: Wellbeing programs, virtual fitness platform, and employee assistance program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager