Assistant Director of Development (Major Gift Officer)

Make an impact through relationships that moves Kalamazoo College forward

At Kalamazoo College, a meaningful conversation can become a scholarship, a transformative student experience, or a lasting investment in the future of the liberal arts. As Assistant Director of Development, you will build trusted relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the College, connecting their interests and aspirations with opportunities to make a difference. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, you will manage a geographically diverse portfolio and guide donors from initial engagement through solicitation and stewardship, helping generosity become measurable impact for students and the institution.
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In this role, you will

• Manage a geographically diverse portfolio of qualified prospective donors with capacity for annual, major, outright, and planned gifts.
• Meet with and solicit donors in support of annual goals.
• Develop and carry out individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with institutional standards and College priorities.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, administrators, coaches, faculty, and staff throughout the donor-engagement process.
• Prepare gift memoranda of understanding and fund agreements in partnership with donors and Advancement colleagues.
• Maintain timely, accurate documentation, including itineraries, contact reports, expense reports, and comprehensive donor records.
• Respond promptly to referrals from Prospect Management and Research staff and other sources.
• Participate in Advancement staff meetings, prospect strategy sessions, and other relevant meetings.
• Help coordinate and staff events in assigned geographic areas and on campus, including required Homecoming and Commencement weekend activities.
• Stay current with trends and effective practices in development and fundraising.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

You’re a great fit if you have

We’re seeking someone with many of the following traits. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We value transferable skills, varied career paths, and the strengths that come from different experiences.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least three years of demonstrated fundraising success.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 50% of the time and work evenings and weekends as needed in addition to a regular weekday schedule.
• Ability to articulate the value of an undergraduate liberal arts education.
• Ability to build strong working relationships and inspire confidence and trust among donors and colleagues.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills.
• Self-motivation, diplomacy, tact, and consistent follow-through.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license and a driving record that meets College policy.
• Preferred Qualification: Fundraising experience in higher education.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter. A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Why Kalamazoo College?

Kalamazoo College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college known for rigorous academics and offering an integrated undergraduate experience that weaves a traditional liberal arts curriculum into educational experiences in both domestic and international settings with the majority of our graduates participating in study abroad. Kalamazoo College is committed to the liberal arts and sciences, experiential education, freedom of individual conscience and celebration of diversity and inclusion. It is one of the nation’s 100 oldest colleges and universities and a thought leader and innovator in higher education.

The campus of Kalamazoo College is located midway between Chicago and Detroit in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a metropolitan community of 261,000, which supports multiple college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations and sports teams. Thirty-five miles from Lake Michigan, the area offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, a walkable downtown, outstanding restaurants, and plenty of family-friendly activities. The city is home to the Kalamazoo Promise, which covers up to 100% tuition and fees at Michigan colleges, universities, and trade schools for graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools.

The Division of College Advancement is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and cultivating a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We aim to create a welcoming workplace that celebrates the diversity of our staff, alumni, and donors.

Benefits

Kalamazoo College encourages candidates who will contribute to the cultural diversity of the College to apply and to identify themselves if they wish. An equal opportunity employer, Kalamazoo College is committed to equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal protection under the law. Please be invited to review our full EEO statement by visiting https://www.kzoo.edu/about/nondiscrimination-policy/. To provide a safe and secure educational environment, Kalamazoo College conducts criminal background reviews on all people who receive an offer of employment. Kalamazoo College is an E-Verify participating employer. Please select Notice and Rights for more information.