Associate Director, Development - Yale Divinity School

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Overview

The Associate Director will report to the Senior Director of Alumni Engagement and Development and serve as a partner in the planning, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive alumni engagement and annual giving program that secures the necessary philanthropic resources for the current and future needs of the school. This role will be responsible for the design, implementation and evaluation of events and outreach for the Divinity School’s alumni and friends, annual appeal program, volunteer management, while contributing to the development of overall advancement strategy. This position works closely with colleagues throughout the Divinity School and coordinates key volunteer and constituent relationships with the advancement staff at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and Andover-Newton Seminary.

Essential Duties

• Oversee the development of a comprehensive program to deepen alumni engagement and increase donor support with Yale Divinity School’s Annual Fund, which directly supports student financial aid.
• Design and coordinate the annual appeal program in coordination with the Yale Annual Fund team, including direct mail, email, text, social media and personal visits.
• Coordinate and support the annual appeal schedule with advancement partners at Berkeley Divinity School and Andover Newton.
• Recruit, train and manage the Class Agent volunteers in support of class fundraising goals. Utilize Give Campus software program to facilitate volunteer activities.
• Lead and manage the 50th reunion events and giving program.
• Advise, educate and solicit potential alumni and friend donors through external face-to-face meetings, phone/virtual contacts and written communications.
• Monitor regular gift reports to ensure donor intent and proper recognition and stewardship of gifts.
• Oversee and manage volunteers, especially the Alumni Association Board and its committees.
• Develop and manage student engagement efforts in partnership with other departments at YDS.
• Design and lead alumni engagement events and activities, including the annual Convocation and Reunion program, to advance fundraising priorities.
• Special projects as determined by the Sr. Director of Alumni Engagement and Development.

Must be willing to work occasional weekends and evenings, attend events, and travel as needed.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Experience as a strategic thinker, well-organized, and goal-oriented, with an enthusiastic and positive personality and the ability to manage complex projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient technological skills in Microsoft suite; highly skilled in ability to analyze and interpret financial data and in creating complex spreadsheets, Yale CRM (Hopper) experience a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and work effectively with alumni, friends, volunteers, faculty, and administrators and to maintain a high degree of confidentiality of sensitive materials. Commitment to an inclusive workplace, and exhibits the highest level of personal integrity, honesty, and trust.
• Ability to multi-task, observe deadlines, prioritize, and execute assignments with attention to detail and with limited supervision.

Preferred Education and Experience

Bachelor's Degree and two to five years of experience in engagement and annual giving, preferably in higher education, or equivalent experience in a related field, is required.

Principal Responsibilities

• Identifies, cultivates and solicits Yale alumni/alumnae and friends who are capable of making gifts to the University. Meets assigned activity and revenue goals.
• Devises and implements cultivation and solicitation strategies. Evaluates various gift opportunities and giving vehicles; recommends the most suitable for a particular donor. Develops, writes and presents proposals in keeping with university needs and in line with donor's interest and financial situation.
• Initiates and maintains contact with current, past, and prospective donors, promoting positive donor relations. Engages volunteers proactively as needed. Determines and executes events and programs in support of development activities, assessing the success of such events/programs and recommending changes. Identifies disaffected or disinterested donors and devises strategies to encourage/redirect their interests as appropriate.
• Interacts with internal contacts such as deans, directors, faculty, officers and other Development staff to consult on University needs, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies, and potential donors. Keeps abreast of University events and disseminates University information to donors, prospective donors, volunteers and team members as appropriate.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required, a minimum of two years of fundraising experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Job title and level will be commensurate with experience.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements

Job Posting Date

06/23/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Development

Compensation Grade Profile

Gift Officer (Ungraded)

Salary Range

0.00 - 0.00

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

Hybrid

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.