Simon's Rock at Bard College
Manager of Annual Fund and Alumni Relations
Apply Here: https://apply.interfolio.com/167155Our Institution
Founded in 1860, Bard College is an international network of highly innovative and admired educational institutions grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. Simon’s Rock at Bard College actualizes the simple yet radical idea that many students are ready for college before the age of 18. This idea, first envisioned by Elizabeth Blodgett Hall on the original Simon’s Rock campus in 1966 in Great Barrington, MA, launched the Early College movement in the United States and beyond. Simon’s Rock has carried out this mission for 59 years in Great Barrington, and in July of 2025 is relocating to the Massena campus of Bard College, in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.
In this new location, Simon’s Rock will have a diverse student population of approximately 180 students, both boarding and day students, drawn nationally and internationally, with a significant population of students identifying as LGBTQIA . This includes enrollment in the Early College Associate in Arts degree program as well as in Bard Academy. Launched in 2015, Bard Academy is a two-year high school program with courses designed and taught by college professors and leading to entry into college after the 10th grade. Students at the Massena campus may enter the Early College either as matriculants from Bard Academy or as students directly admitted to Early College after completing 10th or 11th grade, or the equivalent in homeschooled or non-traditional pathways.
The Role
For Simon’s Rock at Bard College, we seek an energetic and committed individual for the role of Manager for Annual Giving & Alumni Relations as a member of the Simon’s Rock Institutional Advancement team. Institutional Advancement (IA) plays a vital role in the long-term well-being of Simon’s Rock and provides essential services and engagement opportunities to the College’s alumni, parents, and other stakeholders. Most crucially, it serves as the central resource for alumni and parent giving, as well as other forms of philanthropic support for the College. IA is responsible for securing resources for the Fund for Simon’s Rock, the Simon’s Rock endowment, corporate and foundation support, and estate planning from individual donors.
The Annual Giving Manager plays an essential role in the IA team as the operational lead for annual giving and closely related activities. Working in close collaboration with the Director and Associate Director of IA, as well as other senior staff, the Manager helps guide the operational strategy and logistical elements of online giving, direct mail, and all forms of targeted giving through email and other platforms. Additionally, the Manager will lend essential support to the planning and execution of alumni and parent focused events and will contribute directly to the team’s communication efforts through existing and future platforms.
This position is a full-time position with benefits, on-site five days per week at the Massena campus of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY.
Duties include
- In close coordination with the Assistant/Associate Director of IA and other Simon’s Rock and Bard staff as needed, oversee and guide annual giving efforts through direct mail, targeted email, and other forms of solicitation
- Manage a portfolio of 50–100 individual donors with a focus on retaining and enhancing support from each
- Liaise with other Simon’s Rock departments, notably Marketing & Communications, Business Office, and Academic Affairs, and with Bard Office of Development and Alumni Affairs (ODAA) in support of the Fund for Simon’s Rock and related philanthropic priorities
- As directed within IA and in coordination with Bard ODAA, collaborate on and help guide strategic event planning in support of annual and longer-term philanthropic priorities
- Provide content and editorial support for IA communication platforms
- In collaboration with IA team and others, identify new strategies for donor engagement and retention; create and launch regionally oriented alumni volunteer engagement initiative
- Other duties as assigned
Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Minimum of 3-5 years experience in advancement, preferably in higher education, or in a closely related field
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Adaptability to complex work environments
- Ability to troubleshoot and utilize reasonable judgment in complex and confidential situations
Preferred qualifications
- Experience writing/editing for development or related field
- Strong knowledge and comfort with CRMs
- Experience with an Early College program
- Experience with an independent school and/or liberal arts college
Application Instructions
All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references. Submit your files to interfolio.com at https://apply.interfolio.com/167155. Address email inquiries to [email protected]. No phone calls, please. For full consideration, please submit applications by February 3, 2025, but applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
Compensation: $61,000 to $65,000
This salary range reflects the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.
Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.
AA/EOE