Job Details

The Office of Development and Alumni Relations is seeking applicants for position of Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations. This position is responsible for implementing and overseeing a comprehensive strategy for significantly increasing gift revenue to Hiram College. Responsibilities include the management and oversight of all alumni relations and annual fund efforts; all major gifts and planned giving efforts including working with individuals, corporations, foundations and government entities; all fundraising and stewardship efforts as they relate to endowment and capital campaign efforts; prospect research, stewardship activities and data management.

Founded in 1850, Hiram College provides students of all backgrounds with an attainable private education that teaches the 21st-century skills needed to thrive professionally and personally in the face of inevitable and constant change. Built on a community that fosters student-faculty collaboration, the College equips all students with the tools necessary to embrace active learning in the classroom, in Ohio, and beyond through technology, internship, study away, research, and other experiential opportunities for growth and development. Recognized by Colleges of Distinction, The Princeton Review, U.S. News and World Report, and as a top baccalaureate college by Washington Monthly, Hiram enrolls over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students in academic programs on its Northeast Ohio campus and online.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Advance the mission, vision, and short and long-term goals of Hiram College in concert with the president and senior administrative colleagues.
• Work closely with the President in all phases of fundraising and campaign activities.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with members of the Board of Trustees and key alumni/parents/friends.
• Maintain a dynamic portfolio of high-net-worth individuals (150+) to secure major, capital, and planned gifts, as well as advanced annual gifts and endowment support.
• Approach prospective donors verbally, in person, and in writing about giving to Hiram College with a degree of maturity, professionalism and credibility that instills confidence among constituents.
• Participate in strategic discussions and develop programs to strengthen the financial
• resources of Hiram College.
• Create and execute fundraising plans that utilize best practices in annual, major, and planned gift programs to meet fundraising goals.
• Ensure dynamic processes in all phases of donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Prepare for any and all campaigns through comprehensive and effective campaign planning and execution.
• Hire, train, inspire and guide direct reports and the alumni relations and development team toward accountable, goal-oriented outcomes.
• Oversee all annual plans and budgets for alumni relations and annual giving, major gifts and planned giving, prospect research and stewardship and corporate and foundation relations.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, coaches, and campus departments whose cooperation is essential to effective outreach and fundraising.
• Create and implement effective internal and external messaging and methods of Development communication.
• Serve as an exemplary College advocate in the alumni and local communities.
• Travel extensively to meet with donors.
• Maintain current knowledge of College policies.
• Represent the college in a positive, professional manner while maintaining confidentiality, sensitivity, and ethically based principles while working with and within a diverse community.
• All other duties as assigned by the President.

Skills and Knowledge

• Proven leadership ability to effectively manage a team to achieve established goals.
• Excellent verbal & written communication skills
• Demonstrated comfort & confidence level with faculty, senior administrators, prospects and donors; diplomacy and professionalism are essential
• Sense of initiative, sound judgment, confidence, maturity and an ability to work independently
• Demonstrated attention to detail combined with abilities to organize, prioritize, solve problems and negotiate effectively
• Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Experience and Education

• 10 or more years of experience with a demonstrated track record of successfully working with donors.
• Experience with word processing, Excel and Banner highly desirable
• Bachelor's degree required
• Master's degree preferred.

Application Process:

Qualified candidates are encouraged to send a letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references to HR@Hiram.edu. Applications will be accepted through April 13, 2025.

Hiram College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to Excellence through Diversity.