Director of Development & Alumni Engagement

Western Connecticut State University•Danbury, CT

8d•$115,773 - $11,573•Onsite

About The Position

Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is committed to enhancing its diverse university community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities, veterans, and women to apply. WCSU is honored to be awarded the federal designation as a Hispanic Servicing Institution (HSI). This accomplishment marks a pivotal moment in our progress toward fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our campus community. This position sits within the Office of Institutional Advancement, the university’s fundraising and external engagement division. Institutional Advancement is responsible for securing philanthropic support to advance the university’s mission, strategic priorities, and student success initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, master’s preferred.
Six (6) years of progressive, successful experience in fundraising, alumni relations, advancement, constituent engagement, or related nonprofit/higher education work.
Proven track record of closing major gifts ($25,000+) and strengthening alumni participation, volunteer engagement, and philanthropic support.
Background in capital campaigns and higher education advancement preferred.
Demonstrated ability to create compelling, donor-centric cases for support and alumni-centered engagement opportunities.
Excellent oral and written communication, relationship-building, event planning, organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
Experience with constituent relationship management systems like Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Outlook platforms, advancement communications, data-informed engagement strategies, and AI-based tools for fundraising and alumni outreach preferred.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Background in capital campaigns and higher education advancement preferred.
Experience with constituent relationship management systems like Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Outlook platforms, advancement communications, data-informed engagement strategies, and AI-based tools for fundraising and alumni outreach preferred.

Responsibilities

Manages a portfolio of high-potential donors and alumni prospects by developing and implementing individualized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and major gift strategies in support of institutional priorities and fundraising goals.
Implements data-informed fundraising, campaign, and alumni engagement strategies that increase donor engagement, alumni participation, philanthropic support, retention, and revenue growth.
Oversees development staff by monitoring portfolio activity, tracking progress toward individual and team fundraising goals, and providing guidance to ensure consistent performance.
Uses pipeline activity, alumni engagement data, and CRM/Raiser’s Edge records to assess donor movement, identify gaps, document interactions, and report progress toward fundraising and engagement benchmarks.
Leads a comprehensive alumni relations program that strengthens lifelong alumni connection through events, communications, volunteer leadership, affinity groups, reunions, regional engagement, student-to-alumni initiatives, and donor stewardship.
Serves as the primary liaison to alumni boards, committees, class ambassadors, and volunteer leaders in support of University and Foundation priorities.
Partners with campus departments, faculty, athletics, admissions, career services, student affairs, and community organizations to create meaningful alumni participation opportunities.
Cultivates relationships with alumni, parents, faculty, donors, businesses, and community partners to advance engagement, stewardship, visibility, and philanthropic support.
Collaborates with Advancement leadership, university administrators, deans, and faculty to identify funding opportunities, alumni stories, campaign priorities, and engagement strategies.
Develops and implements strategies that diversify philanthropic revenue through major gifts, alumni giving, planned giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and comprehensive campaign initiatives aligned with institutional priorities.
Establishes and monitors fundraising and alumni engagement performance metrics, evaluating progress toward institutional goals and recommending strategic adjustments to improve outcomes.
Prepares, briefs, and supports the President, in partnership with the Director of Institutional Advancement, for donor, alumni, community, and institutional advancement engagements that advance university priorities.
Performs other duties and responsibilities related to those enumerated above which do not alter the basic level and responsibilities of the position.