Philanthropic Advisor for Parent Engagement

Harvey Mudd College•Claremont, CA

2d•$100,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, the Philanthropic Advisor for Parent Engagement develops and implements a comprehensive fundraising strategy for a portfolio of approximately 100 or more leadership parent and family prospects. The role supports the college’s priorities and fundraising initiatives, with a focus on parent and family fundraising, communications, and engagement through a donor-centric model. The advisor leads the strategy and relationship management for the Family Partners Circle, developing initiatives to recruit, engage, retain, and inspire philanthropic investment from Harvey Mudd parents and families. The role builds relationships with prospects and members, creates involvement opportunities, coordinates family participation in college programs and events, and develops cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. The advisor also collaborates across Advancement and campus offices to coordinate parent engagement and fundraising opportunities, and contributes to a campus-wide culture of philanthropy. The position requires strong relationship-building skills, fundraising expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently toward annual goals while developing a sustainable donor pipeline. It is a regular, exempt, full-time, benefits-eligible position. Standard hours are generally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with occasional schedule variation, evening and weekend work, and travel as needed. The position is classified as Category C for remote work, allowing up to two remote days per week subject to approval and institutional needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least three years of demonstrable experience in leadership annual fundraising in a medium-to-large development operation.
A record of successfully soliciting and closing five-figure gifts.
Ability to advocate effectively for the value of a liberal arts and STEM education.
Knowledge of fundraising best practices in higher education.
Success in personally qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts with significant institutional impact.
Comfort and effectiveness working with high-net-worth individuals.
Ability to monitor performance and achieve personal fundraising and metric goals.
Ability to work effectively in a complex institutional setting and maintain effective relationships with donors, volunteers, faculty, staff, colleagues, and senior management.
Self-confidence, optimism, personal resilience, and ability to function at peak levels in a high-expectation environment.
Excellent critical thinking and listening skills, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion, good judgment, courtesy, and tact while working with people from varied backgrounds.
Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
Ability and willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.
Ability to travel for up to 25% per month as needed.
Ability to perform the stated physical functions, including regularly sitting, standing, using hands and fingers, and talking or hearing; occasionally reaching with hands and arms; regularly lifting or carrying up to 10 pounds; and occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an academic setting.
Experience in a campaign environment.
Proven experience cultivating and soliciting gifts of $50,000 or more over five years.

Responsibilities

Serve as primary strategist and relationship manager for the Family Partners Circle in collaboration with Philanthropic Advisors, Alumni and Family Engagement, and Communications and Marketing.
Lead the Family Partners Circle’s strategic growth and management, including initiatives to recruit, attract, engage, retain, and inspire philanthropic investment from Harvey Mudd parents and families.
Build relationships with current and prospective members, create compelling opportunities for involvement, and strengthen the culture of philanthropy among families.
Set and achieve annual fundraising goals and performance metrics; craft proposals and prioritize solicitations.
Organize two annual Family Partners Circle meetings in partnership with Alumni and Family Engagement, the Office of Signature Events, and Donor Relations.
Coordinate parent and family participation in Orientation, Family Weekend, Summer Welcomes, and the Admitted Students Program.
Engage families through events, volunteer opportunities, student experiences, and tailored communications.
Develop relationships with assigned prospects through in-person meetings, written communications, and digital channels using a donor-centric approach.
Create cultivation plans, solicitation strategies, and stewardship efforts to maximize parent and family engagement and support.
Remain current with evolving trends in philanthropy.
Collaborate with Advancement colleagues and campus offices and partners to coordinate and amplify parent engagement opportunities.
Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of Harvey Mudd College programs.
Build collaborative relationships with parents, alumni, students, and volunteers to enhance fundraising efforts.
Comply with college fundraising policies, goals, procedures, and prospect and donor management protocols.
Support the Office of College Advancement’s objective to cultivate and sustain a robust culture of philanthropy.
Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.