Director of Development and Alumni Affairs

Overview

The Director of Development & Alumni Affairs reports to the Dean of David Geffen School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre (DGSD/YRT). Working closely with the DGSD/YRT Associate Dean/Managing Director, the Director leads and supervises the Development and Alumni Affairs Office, overseeing annual fundraising, alumni communications, and related organizational efforts and events that support a dynamic, mission-driven operation for DGSD/YRT. The Director is instrumental in cultivating and sustaining meaningful relationships with DGSD/YRT alumni, donors, friends, and prospects; overseeing volunteer initiatives; and meeting annual fundraising goals while delivering exceptional stewardship experiences that deepen donor and alumni commitment. The role includes planning and executing monthly, quarterly, and annual messaging; producing program- and constituency-specific communications (including newsletters); and reporting on fundraising trends and opportunities. The position requires availability for occasional travel and evening/weekend events. It also includes mentoring DGSD students in professional work assignments in the Development Department and potentially teaching workshops/courses in DGSD's Theater Management Program.

Essential Duties

• Lead all fundraising strategy and execution for DGSD/YRT, aligning solicitation campaigns and alumni affairs priorities with school and university objectives.
• Design, implement, and manage comprehensive fundraising programs, including annual giving, major gifts, endowment, planned giving, and capital campaigns, in partnership with DGSD/YRT leadership and the Yale University Development Office.
• Direct the full donor/prospect lifecycle: identification, research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, proposal development, closure, stewardship, and follow-up; oversee accurate tracking and monitoring of donors and prospects.
• Set and manage measurable fundraising performance targets: revenue, participation, activity.
• Monitor annual giving performance and solicitation strategies on a regular cadence; analyze participation and dollar trends, identify opportunities, and adjust strategies to meet goals.
• Build and sustain strong alumni engagement and relationships; review donor profiles to identify and strategically solicit top annual donors.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of alumni affairs programs and events, including targeted annual initiatives; plan and attend on- and off-campus meetings and events.
• Prepare and/or oversee compelling gift and grant proposals, coordinate with the University Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations on proposals for specific projects.
• Serve as primary liaison to the DGSD Board of Advisors, organizing Board meetings and overseeing Board committees, solicitations, and stewardship.
• Serve as liaison to the Yale University Development Office and relevant university officers/departments; collaborate closely with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners on fundraising initiatives.
• Develop and manage the Development/Alumni Affairs budget; ensure effective resource allocation in support of strategic goals.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing development team; establish a culture of responsiveness, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Supervise and mentor student rotations within the Development Office; coordinate with the Chair of the Theater Management Program to implement and evaluate student development training.
• Participate in annual and long-range planning processes; contribute to short- and long-term fundraising strategy development with senior management.
• Travel as required to support donor engagement and fundraising activity, consistent with Yale fundraising expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Experience and proficiency in fundraising strategy, campaign planning, and execution (annual giving, major gifts, endowment, planned giving, capital campaigns) as well as prospect research, qualification/rating, portfolio management, and proposal/grant writing.
• High level of integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion.
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills; excellent attention to detail; ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks and projects simultaneously; strong follow-through.
• Demonstrable experience in alumni engagement and in program and event planning.
• Ability to work effectively with the Dean, other senior members of the school, and the university's academic and administrative leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in relation to donors, volunteers, students, and colleagues.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Experience in or understanding of the performing arts or theater.
• Experience working effectively within a complex academic environment.

Principal Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning, managing, and executing all aspects of development effort.
• Works closely with senior management to develop both short- and long-term fundraising goals and strategies, including a strategic plan for building a post-campaign pipeline in anticipation of the next campaign.
• Works with staff to develop and implement plans to carry out the organization's goals and strategies, including establishing specific activity goals for all phases of the donor/prospect life-cycle (cultivation, solicitation, closure and stewardship).
• Directs and grows a team of development professionals responsible for generating an increased volume of successful development activities and establishing a culture that encourages ever-improving levels of performance and responsiveness to donors.
• Develops strong ties with the faculty in order to understand and support the organization's programs and mission.
• Manages engagement of faculty, administrators, and University officials in fundraising efforts.
• Manages and staffs the senior management development activities and calendar to ensure maximum deployment.
• Personally maintains a significant portfolio of leadership and principal gift prospects.
• Participates in the development of strategy and content for all development publications and events.
• If requested, develops and maintains relationships with members of the School Fund Board, if in existence.
• Works regularly and cooperatively with other development offices to ensure overall development priorities, plans, and initiatives are coordinated.
• Serves as the liaison with other development offices to provide information on organization needs and to develop strategies for prospects that are staffed centrally.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree and ten years of related work experience in an academic institution or an equivalent combination of education and experience.