Bennington College invites applications for an Associate Director of Constituent Engagement and Annual Giving to join a growing and reinvigorated advancement team. This position has the unique opportunity to participate in the reshaping and revitalizing of the alumni and constituent engagement programs while contributing to the support of the Bennington Fund.

The Associate Director of Constituent Engagement and Annual Giving will report jointly to the Director of Annual Giving and the Director of Constituent and Alumni Engagement. The Associate will work jointly with the alumni relations and annual giving programs to determine how best to incorporate student, recent alumni and affinity audiences into the annual giving campaigns and efforts throughout the year, as well as annual alumni and family engagement touchpoints including events and outreach. 

The successful candidate will possess strong communication skills, attention to detail an, entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for engaging and supporting alumni and family communities. Candidates must possess a deep commitment to instilling best practices and fostering a culture that reflects Advancement’s and Bennington College’s values. 

General Responsibilities

1. Plan and execute strategy for student philanthropy and recent alumni giving in partnership with the Director of Annual Giving to strengthen participation among these audiences by leading the student class giving campaign, and planning communications and engagement events throughout the year. Work with student and recent graduate ambassadors to encourage giving and peer-to-peer outreach. Contribute to the development of stewardship strategies which would be meaningful to these audiences.

2. Develop segmentation and marketing strategies to maximize donors and dollars for the Bennington Fund, with a specific focus on educating students and recent alumni on positive behaviors related to philanthropy and engagement and driving affinity-based giving. This includes creating plans and applying resources to acquire new donors, renew previous donors, and move donors toward higher levels of participation.

3. In conjunction with Communications, oversee the digital engagement strategy that includes all Bennington communications channels: newsletters, social media, magazine, video, website, Bennington Connects, and segmented email outreach, to keep alumni informed and engaged. 

4. Expand alumni and student career initiatives through the Bennington Connects program. Plan effective recruitment of students and alumni, and create an annual communication and engagement strategy to positively connect these audiences through the Bennington Connects platform. Provide leadership for Institutional Advancement led events developed in conjunction with the Director of Alumni Relations, Office of Career Services and Field Work Term. 

5. Assist in the recruitment and supervision of student workers hired as ambassadors of Bennington to support the programming and special initiatives for the Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Programs.

6. Track and analyze program data related to alumni engagement activities and annual giving efforts to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Develop metrics to assess giving trends and alumni engagement at all levels.

7. Collaborate on special initiatives including Reunion, Commencement, 24 Hour Play, and other duties as assigned. 

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

Qualification

• BA degree preferred, 2-4 years experience working in alumni affairs, development,  or equivalent service-based organization, with demonstrated accomplishment in event logistics and execution and stakeholder management.

• Some familiarity with Bennington College and its mission, and the ability to represent the College with confidence and diplomacy.    

• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated maturity and judgment necessary to engage a diverse constituency.  Excellent writing skills necessary to maintain ongoing communication with alumni and assist with various alumni publications.

• Event planning expertise and the organizational skills and detail-orientation required to coordinate special events and alumni programs.   

• Must be technologically proficient and comfortable working with Google ecosystem as well as comfortable with project/task management systems.

• Must be able to work with limited direction and handle multiple tasks.

• Some overnight travel, evening and weekend responsibilities are required.

• A hybrid remote schedule work schedule is possible with significant on-campus presence during constituent events.

This position requires successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

The College

Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits program (to eligible employees) that includes medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits (4 weeks of vacation, 10 sick days and 17 paid holidays). 

Bennington College is a laboratory for innovation in higher education. At Bennington, learning and making—on campus and in the field—are inseparable, and its graduates are noted for their outsized impact on the world’s stage. This campus celebrates the ongoing making of work—shared on walls, in shows and performances, in lectures and readings, and in conversations—and believes that equity, diversity, and inclusivity are vital to a collaborative community. This position captures, contributes to, and reflects the ethos of this creative community.

Nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains in Vermont, the campus consists of approximately 370 acres. The College was named one of ten with the best architecture by Architectural Digest.  From campus, it is a short drive to the cultural offerings of the northern Berkshires in Massachusetts, Albany, New York, and many of Vermont’s top recreational centers. New York City, Boston, and Burlington, Vermont are all within three and a half hours by car.