8+ years of supervisory experience in development or alumni relations
Proven success in principal gift fundraising, especially in family engagement
Proficient in high-pressure environments with a strong sense of urgency
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong editing ability
Capable of simplifying complex information into concise reports
Strong organizational skills for managing multiple projects
Excellent interpersonal skills for engaging with diverse stakeholders
Ability to mentor and lead collaboratively
Bachelor's degree in relevant field; Master's preferred
Responsibilities
Oversee development and management of parent engagement programs
Collaborate with senior leadership to set strategic goals
Design and implement diverse parent-giving initiatives
Cultivate and maintain relationships with families and donors
Develop communication strategies to engage parents in giving
Evaluate and innovate existing programs to enhance engagement
Monitor, analyze, and report on program effectiveness
Benefits
Mentorship and professional development opportunities
Collaborative and dynamic work environment
Engagement with a diverse community of stakeholders
Opportunities for advancement within the organization
Meaningful work that contributes to community engagement and philanthropy
Full Job Description
Job Description
The Managing Director overseeing Parent and Family Engagement and Giving plays a critical role in developing and overseeing a comprehensive suite of parent-giving initiatives to foster meaningful relationships with families and enhance philanthropic support. The ideal candidate will be passionate about community engagement, building a strong network of parent advocates and have a proven track record of principal gift fundraising and strategy.
Strategic Leadership & Program Vision:
Oversee development and management of a robust parent engagement and principal gift program.
Collaborate with senior Advancement leadership to develop long-term strategic goals for the parent and family giving program worldwide.
Design, implement, and manage diverse parent-giving programs aligned with the
University's strategic goals:
Develop a framework for parent and family engagement beginning at enrollment and fostering lifelong involvement.
Engage collaboratively with a wide range of university oAices as a trusted resource and advisor
Fundraising & Donor Engagement:
Identify, cultivate, and maintain strong relationships with parents, family members, and prospective donors.
Develop and implement a collaborative process across annual giving, major gifts, principal gifts, and international development to advance fundraising strategy.
Managing Director, Parent and Family: Engagement & Giving
Develop and execute communication strategies that engage parents around giving opportunities and demonstrate impact
Program Management, Assessment & Continuous Improvement:
Evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and innovate to increase engagement and giving.
Utilize data and insights to drive decision-making and enhance program effectiveness.
Monitor and analyze program metrics and prepare reports on progress and outcomes.
Implement feedback mechanisms to continuously improve programs and initiatives.
Team Leadership & Talent Development:
Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of professionals, fostering collaboration, creativity, accountability, and high performance.
Provide ongoing training and support in best practices for relationship management and fundraising.
Motivate staff to achieve optimal results in a fast-paced, demanding environment.
Operational Excellence & Professional Judgment:
Perform effectively in a deadline-driven, high-intensity environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Observe and maintain strict confidentiality of highly privileged information.
Demonstrate sound judgment, autonomy, and professionalism while sustaining a collegial and collaborative culture
Required Skills
Minimum Qualifications Required:
At least eight years of strong supervisory experience with demonstrated ability to motivate people toward high quality work.
Track record of principal gift fundraising with a focus on parent or family engagement in academic setting.
Demonstrated history of effective performance within demanding, deadline-driven environments. Must be self-motivated with a strong work ethic and sense of urgency.
Ability to engage in high-level strategic discussions, use judgment in synthesizing complex information and contribute a meaningful analysis of situations and relationships.
Ability to articulate in both spoken and written words at a very high level, including strong writing and editing skills.
Ability to translate complex information into clear, concise reporting materials with well-thought-out backgrounds, strategies, and message points to advance an agenda.
Ability to anticipate opportunities and challenges and proactively address concerns and advancing agendas.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to function with diplomacy, lead confidently, and provide strategic vision to advance the goals of DAR and the University.
Ability to mentor others, both those who are direct reports and those who are colleagues working collaboratively.
Unwavering commitment to excellence in work product and attention to detail.
Demonstrated experience in working with senior-level officers and ability to interact comfortably with colleagues, faculty, administrators, executives, and other staff.
Maintain confidentiality of all privileged information.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and 10-12 years of professional work experience in development and alumni relations or a related field.
Master's degree preferred.
About Boston University
Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. The university is nonsectarian but maintains its historical affiliation with the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1839 by Methodists with its original campus in Newbury, Vermont, before moving to Boston in 1867. The university now has more than 3,900 faculty members and nearly 33,000 students, and is one of Boston's largest employers. It offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorates, and medical, dental, business, and law degrees through 17 schools and colleges on two urban campuses. BU is a member of the Boston Consortium for Higher Education and the Association of American Universities.
