Director of Parent and Family Giving

Job Title : Director of Parent and Family Giving

Department : Development and Alumni Relations

Classification : Exempt

Grade : 14

FTE / Working Schedule : 1.0

Compensation :

The expected starting salary range for this position is between $96,800 and $102,100. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.

Position Overview

The Director of Parent and Family Giving leads Carleton’s annual giving program for non-alumni parents and families, which raises ~$1 million annually for the operating budget. The Director provides strategic leadership and guidance for parent-related communications and engagement across the college, as well as proving leadership for the Parents Advisory Council. This position will work closely with a successful team that collectively raises $40 million in gifts each year from alumni, parents, and friends of the College in capital, annual and planned gifts.

The Director guides the fundraising strategy, volunteer engagement, and planning for all Parents Fund solicitations. This includes cultivating relationships with key volunteers, developing and managing individual and mass solicitations, qualifying and cultivating donor prospects, and working with, stewarding, and growing the base of leadership donors.

The Director coaches and trains fundraising colleagues on best practices in parent cultivation and solicitation. The Director collaborates with Alumni Annual Fund and Development colleagues, as well as colleagues in Admissions, College Communications, Student Life, and the President’s Office on overall strategic parent engagement and communications.

Essential Job Functions / Responsibilities :

Parent and Family Giving Program Goals :

Maximize annual giving from parents of current students and parents of alumni

Identify and solicit prospects for major and planned giving

Elevate the profile of families as strong Carleton ambassadors

Collaborate with colleagues across campus to identify areas of improvement for parent engagement and communications

Program direction, oversight and evaluation :

Focus on strengthening the parent and family giving program, raising philanthropic sights, identifying gift capacity, and cultivating new volunteer and donor leadership.

Develop, implement and evaluate data-driven fundraising strategies and plans for the Parents Fund to achieve annual and long-term goals and objectives.

Program management :

Establish annual campaign fundraising strategies and cultivate and solicit prospects.

Develop and implement tailored fundraising plans and communications strategies for new parents, continuing parents and parents of alumni.

Identify, qualify, directly solicit and manage a pool of leadership parent prospects.

Create a fundraising calendar for mass and segmented fundraising messages. Write fundraising appeals for parents of current students and parents of alumni.

Coach colleagues in Development on strategies and messages that are most effective with parent donor prospects.

Travel to solicit leadership Parents Fund gifts, in collaboration with development officers as needed / appropriate.

Work with colleagues in College Communications on communications to parents, including a regular parent e-newsletter. Develop strategy and timeline for parent webinars / calls with the Vice President and Dean of Students, and other campus leaders.

Develop opportunities to utilize the Three Oaks Society (leadership giving) for donor recognition and stewardship.

Relationship management :

Identify, recruit and engage members of the Parents Advisory Council, collaborating with colleagues in Development, Prospect Research and the President’s Office. The PAC is a group of current parents who advise the president and senior staff, and serve as resources to the college community especially in the areas of fundraising, careers, communications and admissions.

Work with the PAC leadership to set agendas for and execute twice-yearly meetings. Solicit input from the President of the College on strategic agenda items.

Manage PAC working groups to address key priorities, guiding colleague liaisons from the Career Center, Admissions and other departments to obtain best outcomes.

Involve colleagues in responding to parent issues and concerns as needed.

Advise the college’s Events Office on strategic direction and program objectives for Fall Family Weekend

Coordinate activities and events with other pertinent campus offices (primarily the Alumni Annual Fund, Alumni Relations, Career Center, Development, and the President’s Office).

Supervision Received and Exercised :

Provide project direction, feedback and contribute to the supervision and evaluation of the Alumni and Parent Giving Coordinator

As an experienced advancement professional with unique experience with parents, provide coaching and guidance as appropriate to colleagues across the college.

Manage the Parents Fund budget

Evaluate program success and opportunities annually

Other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience / Skills (supported by job duties) :

Required :

B.A. degree required.

Ten or more years previous experience in educational fundraising or comparable work. Annual Fund, major gift solicitation and volunteer management experience preferred.

Exceptionally strong oral and written communication skills, with the judgment and discretion to handle confidential or highly sensitive matters.

Collaborative team player; able to develop positive relationships with colleagues, key prospects and volunteers.

Commitment to the college’s liberal arts mission and college and divisional goals related to inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging.

Ability to think creatively, critically, and strategically about all aspects of development at Carleton.

Demonstrated skill with data analysis to inform strategic program directions and achieve dollar goals.

Highly organized, achievement oriented and attentive to detail.

Ability to manage multiple tasks while prioritizing responsiveness to colleagues, volunteers and donors.

Willingness to travel.

Physical Requirements :

Travel, as well as occasional evening and weekend work, is expected.

Must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral work instructions, operations, safety procedures, and hazardous labels.

Note : This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.

Carleton College is an AA / EEO Employer : We are committed to developing our staff to better reflect the diversity of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Carleton also offers a robust suite of benefits including : A generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution. Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. Paid time-off, including 20 vacation days, 8 paid holidays, 3, floating holidays, 2 weather days, and extra days at the end of the calendar year to make a continuous week off before New Year’s. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees. A dependent tuition program after six years of service.

Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Carleton College occupies more than 1,000 scenic acres of campus, arboretum, over 100 campus buildings, and athletic fields. Located 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Carleton offers access to the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.

Salary : $96,800 - $102,100