Scholar's Circle Manager

The Scholar's Circle Manager owns WSG's mid-level and leadership giving program, managing a portfolio of donors whose annual contributions range from $2,500 to $54,000 and collectively represent $600,000 to $750,000 in annual revenue. This is a relationship-centered role for a fundraiser who understands that donors at this level give because they feel genuinely connected to a school, a community, and a mission — not because they received the right ask at the right time. The Scholar's Circle Manager is responsible for the full lifecycle of that connection: identifying and cultivating prospective Scholar's Circle members, stewarding existing donors with consistency and creativity, designing and executing exclusive events and programming that deepen engagement, and moving donors up the giving ladder over time. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, this person works collaboratively across the Advancement team and brings a warm, proactive, and highly organized approach to every donor interaction.

Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of 150-200 Scholar's Circle donors and prospects giving between $2,500 and $54,000 annually, with collective revenue of $600,000 to $750,000
• Develop and execute personalized cultivation and stewardship strategies for each donor segment within the Scholar's Circle, with particular attention to donors with capacity to grow their giving
• Conduct regular face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and written communications with donors throughout the DC, MD, and VA area to build and deepen relationships
• Make direct gift solicitations at the Scholar's Circle level in partnership with or at the direction of the Chief Advancement Officer
• Identify and qualify new Scholar's Circle prospects from the broader donor file, lapsed donor pool, and event attendees in coordination with the Individual Giving Manager and CAO
• Track all donor interactions, moves management activity, and portfolio metrics in Raiser's Edge with timeliness and accuracy
• Provide regular pipeline updates and revenue forecasting to the CAO

Scholar's Circle Events & Programming

• Design and execute exclusive Scholar's Circle events and programming that create meaningful access to WSG's students, faculty, and mission — including intimate receptions, school visits, and recognition experiences
• Manage all logistics for Scholar's Circle events including venue coordination, invitations, catering, RSVP tracking, run-of-show, and post-event follow-up
• Develop an annual Scholar's Circle engagement calendar in coordination with the CAO and Advancement Operations Coordinator, ensuring consistent touchpoints throughout the year
• Collaborate with the Communications Director on Scholar's Circle-specific communications including stewardship reports, impact updates, and personalized donor correspondence
• Coordinate Scholar's Circle recognition at WSG events including the Pearl Gala and other major advancement occasions

Stewardship & Donor Experience

• Ensure every Scholar's Circle donor receives timely, meaningful, and personalized acknowledgment of their gifts and their impact on WSG students
• Develop and maintain a stewardship menu of touchpoints — notes, calls, impact stories, student highlights — that keeps Scholar's Circle donors feeling seen and valued between solicitations
• Collaborate with program staff and school leadership to gather student stories, outcome data, and mission moments that fuel authentic donor stewardship
• Partner with the CAO on the stewardship of Scholar's Circle donors with major gift potential, ensuring smooth handoffs as donors grow in capacity and engagement

Auxiliary Board Partnership

• Serve as the primary staff liaison to the WSG Auxiliary Board, attending monthly meetings, preparing agendas and supporting materials, and maintaining consistent communication between board members and the Advancement team
• Partner with Auxiliary Board leadership to develop and execute the vision for their two signature annual fundraising events, providing strategic guidance and hands-on logistical support while preserving board ownership of the work
• Manage all event logistics for Auxiliary Board events including venue coordination, catering, vendor management, RSVP tracking, attendee communications, volunteer coordination, and day-of execution
• Support Auxiliary Board members in their individual fundraising and cultivation activities; assist with onboarding new members and orienting them to WSG's development priorities and Scholar's Circle giving culture
• Track and report on Auxiliary Board fundraising outcomes; maintain complete records of board engagement in Raiser's Edge

Collaboration & Team Contribution

• Collaborate with the Individual Giving Manager on donor pipeline management, ensuring smooth transitions as donors move between giving levels
• Support Pearl Gala 2027 cultivation and stewardship of Scholar's Circle donors in coordination with the broader Advancement team
• Contribute to team-wide fundraising efforts including appeals, campaigns, and special initiatives as assigned by the CAO
• Represent WSG at community events, donor cultivation opportunities, and external engagements as assigned

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in donor relationship management, mid-level giving, or annual fund leadership
• Proven track record of personally cultivating and soliciting gifts at the $2,500 level and above
• Experience designing and executing donor events and engagement programming; experience working with volunteer boards or auxiliary groups strongly preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills and a natural ability to build trust with donors from diverse backgrounds
• Exceptional written communication skills for personalized donor correspondence, stewardship reports, and internal collaboration
• Proficiency in Raiser's Edge or comparable donor management system; comfortable tracking portfolio metrics and generating reports
• Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple donor relationships and event timelines simultaneously
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle for donor visits throughout the DC, MD, and VA area
• Self-starter with a proactive, relationship-forward mentality and high standards for follow-through
• Commitment to WSG's mission of educational equity and girls' empowerment

WSG offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, paid time off, personal days, and sick leave.