Director, Development and Alumni Relations at New England College of Optometry

New England College of Optometry (NECO) was founded in 1894, and is the oldest, continuously operating College of Optometry in the United States. We invite applications for the position of Director of Development and Alumni Relations.

NECO is one of three remaining private, nonprofit, tuition-dependent schools of optometry. We prepare the next generation of eye care providers, educators, and innovators through a rigorous curriculum, extensive clinical experiences, state-of-the-art facilities, and a strong support network. As an independent optometry school, we focus solely on optometry. The College has approximately 520 students. The operating budget for FY25 is $32M and the current endowment is $66M. For additional information about NECO, please visit

The Opportunity:

The Director of Development and Alumni Relations is a full time, front-line fundraising position with eligibility for a hybrid schedule after training completion. The Director manages a team of professionals that includes an Assistant Director, Development and Alumni Relations, a Development and Alumni Relations Coordinator, and a part time Alumni Relations Liaison.

The Director is responsible for setting and executing ambitious fundraising goals (outlining one; three; and five-year goals for their team), aligning fundraising objectives with NECO's strategic plan, growing the pipeline of relationships, and maintaining a comprehensive list of potential financial donors including alumni, corporations, foundations, and individuals. This Director will build and cultivate lasting relationships with donors and NECO alumni. and keep them informed about the impact of their financial contributions. We are about to embark on a 5-year $10million capital campaign and expect the next Director to review, refine and spearhead this initiative.

The Director will collaborate with the Alumni Board of Directors and the Development and Alumni Relations committee of the Board of Trustees to support engagement and inspire a culture of philanthropy among all constituents. This individual reports to the Executive VP, COO/CFO and works closely with the President, the VP of Professional Affairs. the VP of Academic Affairs, and the Director of Marketing and Communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Board of Trustees, President and President's Leadership Team to create and implement a fundraising plan for NECO.
• Develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising priorities and articulate compelling cases to secure financial support from individuals (including alumni), the board of trustees, corporate partners, and foundations.
• Over the first three years, progressively increase annual funds raised from $1.25M to $2M through solicitations and face to face meetings.
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with major donors.
• Identify and manage a portfolio of prospects.
• Identify major gift prospects and developing plans to secure significant funding opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with donors, volunteers, and NECO leaders to identify new prospects. Perform administrative duties related to advancement work including documenting activity, writing proposals, inputting engagement plans in relationship management database, and adhering to Foundation policies.
• Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the development staff by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven environment.
• Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development management meetings and events.
• Set priorities for leadership travel associated with fundraising opportunities.
• Oversee the planning and management of key fundraising events.
• Develop and track proposals and reports for all foundation and corporate fundraising activities.
• Furnish the board and president's leadership team with regular progress reports on fundraising activities and achievements
• Generate development materials such as grant proposals, fundraising appeals and case statements
• Work with the Alumni board to support a network of former graduates who will, in turn provide philanthropic support to NECO and help to raise the profile of the college
• In coordination with the Alumni Board Executive Committee and the Alumni Relations Liaison, identify and lead the planning of alumni engagement events, such as alumni receptions at conferences, reunions, and regional gatherings, ensuring both short- and long-term goals align with overall strategic goals.
• Ensure alumni and industry student events activities are coordinated with the Center for Academic and Professional Achievement.
• Develop policies for fundraising and alumni with the consultation and approval of the Board Development and Alumni Relations Committee and the Presidents Leadership Team.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Alumni Relations Liaison to produce a quarterly alumni newsletter, sharing alumni events, updates, news and fundraising opportunities at NECO.
• Collaborate with the marketing/communications team to develop a digital fundraising strategy.
• Oversee the use of development software (Little Green Light)
• Manage staff responsible for data entry and gift processing, fundraising and alumni relations.
• Collaborate with the business office to ensure accuracy in gift recording and account reconciliation.

Successful Candidates will offer:

• Successful experience writing proposals for gifts from foundations
• High level of motivation, as well as an ability to work both independently and collaboratively and to exercise independent judgment
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy
• The ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituents
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate NECO's priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent NECO
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor information
• Demonstrated experience managing development staff
• Hands-on experience and success in stewardship and fundraising

The New England College of Optometry is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Required skills and abilities:

New England College of Optometry offers a robust benefits program including:

• 3 plan options for BCBS medical coverage
• Mental Health and Wellness benefits
• BCBS Dental
• Discounted vision services
• 13 paid holidays, 4 weeks of vacation, 2 weeks of sick time, and 4 personal days
• Employer-paid life insurance, and short-term and long-term disability
• Voluntary Insurance: life, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident,
• Voluntary Benefits: employee discounts, ID theft protection, and pet insurance
• 9% employer contribution to a 403(b)-retirement plan after 1 year of service with no vesting schedule or match requirement
• Qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employer

PM23

• Bachelor's degree required
• 3 plus years demonstrated success in fundraising and leadership required
• 5 plus years of recent experience as a full-time professional fundraiser preferred
• Experience closing 5-figure gifts required
• Fundraising experience at the highest level of an organization preferred
• Experience with Little Green Light or similar fundraising software required
• Experience within an academic, research, hospital/health care environment is preferred but not required

Compensation details: 120000-140000 Yearly Salary

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