Director of Alumni/ae Affairs & Development Position Profile
School Description
Phillips Exeter Academy is a co-educational residential school serving just over 1,000 students
(approximately 80 percent of whom are boarding students) in grades nine through 12 and at the
post-graduate level. The Academy was founded in 1781 by John Phillips, a graduate of Harvard
and resident of Exeter. It has a tradition of academic excellence, a distinguished faculty, and a
historic commitment to educating “youth from every quarter”. The school works to affirm the
intent of John Phillips to link goodness with knowledge and to develop the consciences and train
the minds of students so that they may serve society. In the spirit of its charter, Exeter has
established one of the most generous financial aid policies in the country, meeting the needs of
all admitted students.
A gift from philanthropist Edward S. Harkness in 1930 enabled the establishment of a method of
teaching at Exeter that remains central to its educational philosophy. The Harkness plan calls for
an oval table in each classroom, with class size averaging 12 students and ample opportunity for
dialogue. Exeter’s pedagogy is student-centered, not faculty-centered, and designed to foster
independent thought and the ability to discuss, listen, question, and analyze. As a result, Exeter’s
students develop and hone a set of intellectual skills supporting life-long learning and enabling
contributions to the broader world. The Academy’s “non sibi” (not for oneself) ethos reminds
students and all other members of the community that wisdom gained should be used for the
betterment of others.
Exeter’s academic and extracurricular offerings are unusually diverse for a secondary school.
The school offers 350 courses in 19 subject areas. The campus includes 129 buildings on 617
acres. Its libraries hold 158,000 volumes. Exonians may choose from 20 interscholastic sports,
90 student clubs and organizations, and numerous opportunities in music, art, and drama.
The school has 140 full-time faculty members and 60 part-time and adjunct. Faculty members
have been carefully recruited from many different academic and personal backgrounds to support
the exceptional quality and diversity of intellectual and student life at the school. More than
eighty percent of faculty hold advanced degrees in their fields, one quarter of which are Ph.D.s.
The Academy recently surpassed its campaign goal of raising $305 million for financial aid,
compensation and development of faculty and staff, faculty housing, the current operating
budget, and endowment needs. Current students hail from 47 states and 36 countries and 45
percent are students of color. Students from families with incomes of $75,000 or less pay no
tuition or room and board expenses. The endowment is now valued at $870 million and is able
to support approximately half of the Academy’s $78 million operating budget.
Functional Position Description
The Director of Alumni/ae Affairs and Development (AA&D) is a full-time exempt
administrator position responsible for the overall strategic vision and leadership of AA&D. This
position reports to the Principal and leads a team of approximately 50 staff and administrators,
with oversight of fundraising, alumni affairs and parent programs, AA&D communications, and
information services.
Critical Competencies




Organizational leadership
Communication
Operational management
Vision and strategy for fundraising
Essential Functions











Provide strong operational leadership; managing the budget to leverage human and
financial resources to maximize programmatic goals, and overseeing recruitment, training
and retention of a diverse group of approximately 50 high-quality staff that is well
prepared to meet and to execute the ongoing challenges of the Academy
Advise the principal and other officials on matters involving philanthropic support
required to underwrite the needs of the Academy, providing counsel on policy and
strategic issues
In concert with the principal, establishes the department’s fundraising priorities and goals
based on the institutional direction set by the trustees
Develops clear compelling messages to the internal/external constituency describing the
Academy’s strengths and aspirations so they understand programmatic objectives and the
school’s future direction
Provide innovative leadership and strategic vision to all aspects of the Academy’s
fundraising activities and constituent relationships
Make fund raising solitications
Provide leadership and administrative direction for the AA&D staff, and bring together a
strong alumni/ae affairs and development senior management team to develop a
comprehensive program to build strong and long-term alumni/ae/parent relationships
Ensure the principal is well briefed and assist in leveraging his/her time for
internal/external roles
Serve as a member of the principal’s staff as the school’s chief advisor in matters of
alumni/ae affairs and development
Initiate and manage close working relationships with trustees, former trustees, other key
volunteers and donors to use their talents, resources and wisdom on behalf of the
Academy
Work with the principal and trustees as a member of the Committee on Trustees to
identify alumni/ae who have the talent, time and resources to serve in leadership
positions, and serve as a member of the Alumni/ae Affairs and Development Committee
Experience and Education
The successful candidate will have at least ten years of development experience in building the
infrastructure of a development program, formulating and executing a successful fundraising
plan, and strategic planning and management of a large-scale capital campaign. Proven ability to
cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gifts at all levels, including the seven-and eight-figure
level. Bachelor’s degree required.
Qualifications
Strong leadership skills, both strategic and operational, and a demonstrated ability to build,
manage, mentor and motivate an effective team. Intellectual depth, keen interpersonal judgment,
maturity, wisdom, and collaborative skills to work effectively with the principal, trustees,
faculty, staff and other constituents. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.