The Office of Advancement (ADV) builds lifelong relationships with alumni, parents, and friends, and engages through meaningful experiences, communication, volunteer roles and philanthropic opportunities, all in support of Wesleyan’s educational mission and strategic goals. This is the first year of an exciting restructuring that includes the bringing together of a comprehensive Engagement Team, reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Engaged Philanthropy. The annual giving, engagement programs, special events, and advancement communications teams are working together to redefine engaged philanthropy and find opportunities for strategic collaboration. Wesleyan University is in the second public year of a $600 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, the largest in school history, and is more than a year ahead of schedule. While raising financial support for key University initiatives, the campaign also aims to broaden Wesleyan’s donor base and build a pipeline of donors for the future. Working with an alumni body of more than 30,000, as well as current and past parents, the Advancement team inspires the Wesleyan community and cultivates support for university initiatives through outreach activities, including development/ fundraising, alumni & parent relations, and both on- and off-campus events. Consistent with a philanthropic trend seen across higher education, Wesleyan’s fundraising dollars have increased consistently over the last ten years as the number of donors has declined. In addition to meeting fundraising goals, the campaign also aims to broaden Wesleyan’s donor base and build a pipeline of donors for the future. Reporting to the Director of Special Events, the Associate or Senior Associate Director is responsible for leading divisional special events team that that seek to maximize the acquisition, retention, and upgrade of Wesleyan’s donors, including high-level presidential and campaign events and significant engagement of each reunion cycle. The Associate or Senior Associate Director will set strategy and vision for specific signature events and will be highly effective in the execution of the vision of internal clients. Responsibilities include: Divisional Special Events + Develop the vision and manage all aspects of a select group of divisional special events that engage Wesleyan’s donors and prospects at the highest-level and beyond. + Work independently and in close collaboration with Advancement Senior Management, the President’s Office, Board members and other high-level volunteers and event hosts to manage event challenges and opportunities with confidence and professionalism as a Wesleyan representative, providing strategic input to Director of Special Events and divisional senior management team to ensure events are meeting the specific needs of the division and institution. + Oversee project timelines, resource and budget management in collaboration with Associate Director of Event Operations. + Track effectiveness of engagement efforts, report results, and use data to inform future decision making, providing strategic input to Director of Special Events and the senior management team to ensure events are meeting the specific needs of the division and the University. + Work with communications/advancement colleagues to develop event communications and promotion through various outlets, including email, social media and website. + Work in consultation with the AVP/Campaign Director to create and execute the vision for launching the final years of the public phase of the campaign and, mapping out a preliminary event plan for the bicentennial and other divisional strategic planning. Milestone Reunion Engagement + Create and execute a comprehensive milestone reunion strategic plan that leverages in-person and virtual events; committee experiences; and Reunion & Commencement Weekend as a capstone to a full cycle of interactions and activities designed to build strong ties among classmates. + Manage all aspects of non-philanthropic 50th milestone reunion engagement for the incoming, current, and outgoing 50th reunion classes, working in close collaboration with the Senior Director of Annual Giving. + Travel regionally, nationally, and internationally to lead events, meet individually with constituents as needed, and represent the university within the alumni and parent community. + The Associate or Senior Associate Director may supervise staff and/or student employees. + Other duties as assigned. This is an on-campus position with potential for hybrid in the future. (Relocation assistance to CT is available for those who qualify). MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR LEVEL: + Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training and experience and five years professional experience in event management or constituent relations, including ability to prepare and monitor budgets and success metrics; regularly work on tasks that are varied and complex; establish procedures and provide insights into the department’s workflow; and exercise solution-oriented judgment within to determine appropriate action. + Proven ability to work effectively, collaborate with volunteers, colleagues, and constituencies nationally, fostering productive and nuanced relationships, and achieving shared objectives. + Proven ability to set clear goals and establish timelines to effectively manage projects and attain organizational goals and objectives. + Excellent writing skills, with the ability to distill complex information from various sources into clear, concise messaging. + Experience participating in the strategic planning process. + Effective communication skills, including the ability to deliver engaging group presentations and facilitate discussions. + Ability to travel and to work nights and weekends, as required. + Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact openly with individuals of different backgrounds. ADDITIONAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR SR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR LEVEL: + Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training and experience and seven years professional experience in event management or constituent relations, including ability to prepare and monitor budgets and success metrics; regularly work on tasks that are varied and complex; establish procedures and provide insights into the department’s workflow; and exercise solution-oriented judgment within to determine appropriate action. + Proven experience with the sole responsibility of planning, preparation, and organization of large on-site and off-site special events. + Proven experience in a supervisory role. + Demonstrated proficiency devising multi-year strategic plans and tracking effectiveness. + Previous experience with frequent travel and planning special events from a distance. + Comprehensive experience contributing to an active multi-year campaign. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: + Experience in higher education and/or a fundraising environment. Position is open until filled. For full consideration please apply by February 17, 2025 when first review of applications will begin. As a part of your application please upload a cover letter and resume Compensation: Associate Director: $61,300-$72,300 Senior Associate Director: $74,100-88,200 Work Location: On Campus All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening (https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/pdfs/Wesleyan%20University%20Background%20Check%20Policy\_.pdf) to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University. Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator. Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html . Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify. Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html . We welcome your interest in Wesleyan’s diverse, energetic community of employees who, by their creativity, innovative thinking, and generosity of spirit, help make Wesleyan a great place to work. In this open-minded and inclusive environment, our faculty and staff foster a liberal arts experience characterized by boldness, rigor, and practical idealism. + Working at Wesleyan (https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/index.html) + Benefits + FAQs (https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/faq.html) + Internal applicants If you are currently employed at WES, you must apply for positions through Job Hubs in your Workday (http://workday.wesleyan.edu/) portal. There you will find an abbreviated application form making this process much easier for you!