Director of Development

Whittier College is an independent, four-year Liberal Arts College distinguished by its small size and a nationally recognized liberal arts program. It has a history of strong and innovative interdisciplinary programs and a diverse student body. The College is ideally situated in the scenic hills eighteen miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

About the role

The Development Office is seeking a Director of Development (DoD) who will play a pivotal role in identifying and cultivating relationships with a select group of high-potential donors, including alumni and other key stakeholders, who can make transformative contributions of $25,000 or more. These contributions may take the form of outright gifts, multi-year pledges, blended gifts, or significant planned gifts. The success hinges on the DoD's ability to foster meaningful relationships through regular and personalized engagement, including face-to-face meetings, strategic cultivation efforts, and ongoing stewardship. The DoD must be a skilled relationship-builder and storyteller, able to articulate the impact of a donor's support in ways that inspire action. Additionally, the DoD must possess a strong results-oriented mindset and be adept at setting goals, tracking progress, and adjusting strategies to ensure sustained pipeline growth.

Responsibilities

• Manage a comprehensive portfolio of major gift prospects through a systematic moves management process, including identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding leadership annual, major, and capital gifts that support the college's priorities.
• Proactively manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, developing and executing tailored strategies to advance them through the fundraising cycle, with the goal of securing leadership-level annual gifts, major gifts, and capital campaign support aligned with the Whittier Now! campaign.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for securing transformational gifts and pledges of $50,000 or more, as well as deferred gifts, leveraging relationships with College leaders, faculty, and other key stakeholders.
• Meet monthly prospect engagement goals, including conducting visits, making solicitations, and recording contact reports.
• Utilize a data-driven, metrics-based approach, regularly reviewing performance goals and adjusting strategies to achieve optimum results using a moves management system.
• Communicate Whittier College's vision and mission to prospects and donors, ensuring they understand the significant impact of their contributions, and create, prepare, and present formal fundraising proposals.
• Coordinate precise follow-up and stewardship efforts, ensuring meaningful engagement and recognition of donors to foster long-term relationships and sustained fundraising growth.
• Participate in cross-functional team meetings, sharing successful strategies, and fostering accountability while working closely with other members of the Development team and across divisions.
• Travel regionally and nationally, and attend key College events, including nights and weekends, to maintain strong relationships with donors and advance Whittier's philanthropic objectives.
• Collaborate actively with key constituencies, including alumni, students, faculty, parents, and friends of the College, while leveraging volunteers to meet fundraising objectives.
• Ensure adherence to the College's policies, including the gift policy manual, internal processes, and other institutional standards to promote transparency and ethical practices.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree is required; a master's degree is preferred.
• Extensive fundraising expertise with demonstrated success in securing substantial contributions, including major gifts, grants, and/or annual fund donations from diverse sources such as individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in fundraising, ideally within higher education, with a strong track record in cultivating major gifts and surpassing targets.
• Skilled in building and sustaining long-term donor relationships through effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-value donors.
• Expertise in creating impactful donor communications, proposals, and stewardship reports, coupled with the ability to deliver compelling, results-driven messaging.
• Hands-on experience using donor management platforms like Banner, Raiser's Edge, or Salesforce to track donor engagement, manage gifts, and streamline stewardship activities.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage metrics and data analysis to inform strategic decisions and to set, monitor, and exceed fundraising goals.

Skills

• Relationship-Oriented: Excel at building and maintaining strong relationships with donors, alumni, and key stakeholders; a natural connector with a passion for storytelling.
• Goal-Oriented and Results-Driven: Strong record of cultivating meaningful relationships, achieving ambitious goals, and consistently delivering measurable outcomes.
• Broad Experience Across Industries: Candidates from marketing, communications, sales, business development, or other relevant sectors are welcome, provided they possess transferable skills in relationship-building and donor engagement.
• Passionate about Fundraising and Philanthropy: Authentic love for building support for the College, thriving on sharing Whittier's mission and impact, and boldly asking for support.
• Strong Communicators: High communications IQ with the ability to listen, learn donor motivations, and connect a donor's passion with the College's needs through compelling written, verbal, and in-person communication.
• Competitive About Results: Highly goal-driven and results-oriented, with a passion for exceeding personal and organizational targets.
• Highly Ethical: Commitment to transparency and accountability in fundraising activities, demonstrating the highest integrity and upholding ethical standards.
• Adaptable and Innovative: Ability to adapt to changing fundraising environments, leverage emerging technologies, and apply innovative fundraising strategies.
• Passionate about the Mission: Genuine belief in the mission and values of Whittier College.

The position is based in Whittier, CA.