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Director of Development & Alumni Engagement

Western Connecticut State University

Job Location:

Danbury, CT - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 115773 - 115773

Posted: 29 September 2026 (6 days ago)

Application Deadline: 27 December 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Western Connecticut State University is pleased to announce applications are being accepted for Director of Development & Alumni Engagement.

Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is committed to enhancing our diverse university community by actively encouraging people with disabilities members of LGBTQIA and BIPOC communities veterans and women to apply. We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. 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 universitys fundraising and external engagement division. Institutional Advancement is responsible for securing philanthropic support to advance the universitys mission strategic priorities and student success initiatives. Information on the University may be found on .

Position Summary: Provides strategic leadership for fundraising and alumni relations initiatives that advance institutional priorities strengthen donor and alumni engagement and increase philanthropic support. Manages a portfolio of high-potential donors and alumni prospects guides development staff in achieving fundraising goals and uses pipeline campaign and alumni engagement data to evaluate progress and inform strategy. Leads a comprehensive alumni relations program cultivates campus and community partnerships supports volunteer leadership and develops diversified revenue strategies through major gifts alumni giving planned giving corporate partnerships foundation grants and campaign initiatives. Supervises professional and/or support staff.

Position 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/Raisers 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 Presidentin 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.

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree required masters 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 ($25000) 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 Raisers Edge Microsoft Outlook platforms advancement communications data-informed engagement strategies and AI-based tools for fundraising and alumni outreach preferred.