Amherst College is a distinguished private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts, in the heart of the Pioneer Valley. Founded in 1821 and chartered in 1825, it has built a long tradition of academic excellence rooted in the liberal arts. The College enrolls over 1,900 undergraduates from across the United States as well as 70 countries. With a student to faculty ratio of 7:1, Amherst College ensures small class sizes and close interaction between students and professors.
Over its history, Amherst has been innovative in several “firsts” – for example, creating one of the nation’s first undergraduate neuroscience programs. The College is also a member of the Five College Consortium, enabling students to take courses and draw upon resources (libraries, facilities, etc.) across nearby institutions.
Mission of Amherst College:
Terras irradient
“Let them give light to the world” • 1821
Amherst College educates students of exceptional potential from all backgrounds so that they may seek, value, and advance knowledge, engage the world around them, and lead principled lives of consequence.
Amherst brings together the most promising students, whatever their financial need, in order to promote diversity of experience and ideas within a purposefully small residential community. Working with faculty, staff, and administrators dedicated to intellectual freedom and the highest standards of instruction in the liberal arts, Amherst undergraduates assume substantial responsibility for undertaking inquiry and for shaping their education within and beyond the curriculum.
Amherst College is committed to learning through close colloquy and to expanding the realm of knowledge through scholarly research and artistic creation at the highest level. Its graduates link learning with leadership—in service to the College, to their communities, and to the world beyond.
Student Outcomes:
Graduates of Amherst College pursue a wide array of career paths and further educational opportunities, reflecting the adaptability, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity cultivated during their time here.
Amherst's commitment to student outcomes is rooted in an interdisciplinary education that prepares students for post-graduate employment and lifelong learning, purpose, and professional agility.
The Loeb Center for Career Exploration and Planning provides students with advising, resources, and alumni networks critical to translating their education into concrete and rewarding post-graduation plans.
Sustainability:
Amherst College is deeply committed to sustainability and has embedded environmental responsibility into its operations, planning, and culture. The institution has articulated a goal of climate neutrality by 2030, with a specific plan to modernize its energy infrastructure – transitioning away from fossil fuels and toward renewable sources.
To coordinate its efforts, Amherst has established an Office of Sustainability, which fosters awareness, collaboration, and action across the campus community. Its policies touch a range of areas – from energy procurement, clean electricity systems, and emissions reduction, to practices relating to waste management, transportation, and procurement that uphold environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
Michael A. Elliott ’92 is the 20th president of Amherst College. A champion of liberal arts education and a distinguished scholar of American literature and culture of the 19th and early 20th centuries, he has published widely on the history of fiction in the United States, Native American literature, and practices of public history. As an Amherst alumnus, President Elliott is deeply committed to ensuring that the College fulfills its mission to educate students of exceptional potential from all backgrounds so that they may seek, value, and advance knowledge, engage the world around them, and lead principled lives of consequence.
President Elliott has articulated a strategy of building on Amherst’s extraordinary history in three core areas: strengthening student culture, community, and belonging; making Amherst an excellent place to work; and redoubling our commitment to serving the greater good.
In the early phase of his presidency, in order to reinvigorate the College’s foundational commitment to preparing students for a lifetime of contributing to society beyond our campus, President Elliott is leading the development of several new programs, including “Serving the Greater Good,” a curricular initiative expanding courses that consider the nature of democratic society, invite work with community partners, and address the pressing challenges of our time. Presidential Post-Graduate Fellowships, a new Interns for Democracy program, and social impact grants support students in establishing careers serving the greater good. And Amherst for Amherst, an enhanced vision for partnership between the College and the town of Amherst, renews the College’s commitment to engaging with and supporting local communities.
Prior to returning to Amherst, President Elliott was a faculty member and administrator at Emory University for nearly a quarter century. In the last six years of his tenure there, he served as interim dean and then dean of Emory College of Arts and Sciences, the university’s core undergraduate division and home of the liberal arts. In this role, he spearheaded critical work to establish race and inequality as a signature research and teaching strength, made significant advances in enhancing faculty diversity, increased support for undergraduate research and need-based financial aid, and developed and promoted programs that supported student success during and after college.
President Elliott holds a B.A. from Amherst College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in English and comparative literature from Columbia University. During his years in academic leadership, he has maintained an active scholarly career. His acclaimed book Custerology (University of Chicago Press, 2007) explores how George Armstrong Custer and the Indian Wars continue to be a powerful symbol of America’s violent past and a crucial key to understanding the nation’s present. His earlier volume, The Culture Concept (University of Minnesota Press, 2002), traces the origins of the concept of “culture” that undergirds the evolution of cultural studies in the United States. In addition to these monographs, President Elliott has co-edited two volumes in American literary studies and serves on the editorial board of The Norton Anthology of American Literature. In 2024, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.
Raised in Tucson, Ariz., President Elliott met his wife, Jennifer W. Mathews ʼ91, at Amherst. They have two children.
The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Development is a senior leader within the Advancement division, charged with developing and executing a bold, unified strategy for all leadership, major, and planned giving activity at Amherst College. The AVP will lead efforts to strengthen the donor pipeline, deepen constituent engagement, and secure transformational philanthropic support during a pivotal period of institutional momentum and ambition.
Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President for Advancement, the AVP will join the division during an exciting time of cultural transformation. This leader will elevate a high-performance, data-informed culture, guide strategic donor engagement, and serve as a visible ambassador for Amherst’s mission and values.
The AVP serves as a senior leader for frontline fundraising programs and plays a central role in aligning individual giving strategies with institutional priorities, campaign planning, and cross-campus partnerships. The AVP will drive performance, cultivate innovative donor strategies, and lead efforts that support long-term philanthropic growth.
With deep expertise in donor strategy and prospect development, the AVP will shape high-impact engagement plans, advance best practices in portfolio management, and foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning across the team. In addition to team leadership, the AVP will manage a focused portfolio of major- and principal-level prospects (approximately 25) and will work in partnership with the principal gifts team to advance key priorities. The AVP will collaborate with the Vice President for Advancement to manage presidential-level donor conversations and will partner with senior administrators and faculty leaders across campus.
This critical leadership role requires exceptional leadership and relationship-building skills; a deep understanding of frontline fundraising strategy and donor engagement; fluency in data and performance metrics; outstanding communication and judgment; and the ability to inspire, coach, and lead diverse teams in a complex, mission-driven environment. This is an outstanding opportunity for a leader eager to notably elevate a major gift fundraising program, and to play a visible role in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding critical support for the College.
The Assistant Vice President for Development is a full-time, year-round position with a compensation range of $200,000–$225,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Fundraising Direction:
In partnership with the senior leadership team, shape and implement a long-term fundraising vision that aligns with Amherst’s institutional goals and evolving campaign strategy.
Serve as a senior thought partner to the Vice President for Advancement, Senior Associate Vice President for Advancement, and other institutional leaders in setting philanthropic direction.
Lead innovation and enhance Development programs by incorporating industry best practices, emerging trends, and internal performance insights.
Team Leadership and Talent Development:
Directly supervise and mentor directors and gift officers within Major Gifts, Planned Giving, Leadership Annual Giving, and Parent Giving.
Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Set strategic goals, provide coaching and regular feedback, and support professional development across the team.
Donor Strategy, Portfolio Management, and Prospect Engagement:
Guide donor engagement strategies and portfolio development for top-tier prospects, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
Champion the use of data and analytics to optimize donor pipelines, improve portfolio health, and drive team performance.
Personally manage a portfolio of approximately 25 high-capacity, high-priority donors; partner with senior leadership, the President, and faculty on relationship management and strategic solicitations.
Lead cultivation strategies that result in transformational philanthropic commitments.
Cross-Functional and Campus Collaboration:
Build strong partnerships across Advancement, including with Alumni Engagement, Advancement Operations, Donor Strategy, and Analytics, to ensure cohesive planning and execution.
Collaborate with academic leaders and faculty to develop compelling, mission-aligned gift opportunities.
Engage and support campaign volunteers, trustees, and external champions to enhance Amherst’s philanthropic reach and visibility.
Qualifications and Expectations
Requirements:
A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in development, with a demonstrated ability to lead high-functioning fundraising teams.
A strong record of major gift fundraising, with success cultivating and soliciting six- and seven-figure gifts.
Experience managing frontline fundraisers, coaching to metrics, and leading with integrity.
Deep knowledge of major gifts, planned giving, leadership annual giving, and donor cultivation and stewardship strategies.
Demonstrated success in leading, developing, and motivating high-performing fundraising teams and elevating data-driven cultures of fundraising.
Familiarity with campaign planning, donor pipeline development, and advancement best practices.
Skilled at articulating mission and vision to a wide range of constituents with authenticity and impact.
Track record of building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
A deep commitment to the values and principles of liberal arts education, including critical thinking, creativity, and the expansion of knowledge and discovery.
A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts is a compelling blend of small-town charm, intellectual energy, and natural beauty – making it a truly desirable place to live. Nestled in the Pioneer Valley, Amherst is steeped in academic life and cultural vitality, anchored by institutions such as Amherst College. This imbues the town with a constant influx of curious minds, arts programming, and a dynamic, progressive community spirit.
One of Amherst’s greatest strengths is its access to nature right at your doorstep. You can explore trails like the Robert Frost Trail or hike up Mount Orient for sweeping valley views. There are forests, rivers, and scenic ridges in every direction, making it easy to slip away from city bustle and recharge outdoors. For those who love gardens, farms, or open green space, Amherst supports a lifestyle that balances the rural and the cultivated.
Quality of life in Amherst is enhanced by a strong sense of community, intellectual energy, and sustainability. The town is interwoven with educational, healthcare, and entrepreneurial opportunities, thanks in part to the presence of multiple colleges and research institutions. Amherst has invested in green initiatives, bike-friendly infrastructure, and efficient public services. It also balances economic stability with creative possibility, offering prospects for both established professionals and those starting new ventures.
Amherst offers a rare package: the tranquility and beauty of western Massachusetts with the cultural, educational, and social richness of a vibrant college town. Whether you’re passionate about the arts, nature, learning, or simply living in a thoughtful, engaged community, Amherst has something meaningful to offer.
Applications & Nominations
Amherst College has partnered with Boyden Executive Search. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:
Wendy Wilsker has dedicated her entire career to the non-profit sector, serving in leadership roles within charitable organizations and working alongside them as an executive recruiter and consultant. She excels at identifying the unique challenges and opportunities non-profits face, and partners with senior leadership to build successful organizational structures, teams and advancement programs.
Beth Parsons specializes in the education and non-profit sectors, having held fundraising and leadership roles in prominent educational and social impact organizations for nearly 20 years. She partners with clients to develop search strategies on the basis of organizational needs and core values. Her extensive advancement network serves as a source of high-impact talent.
Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.
Amherst College – AVP for Development – Job Description (PDF Download)
