Located in the heart of Boston, Simmons University is a private university, home to a respected women’s undergraduate program, as well as coeducational graduate programs in nursing and health sciences, liberal arts, business, communications, social work, public health, and library and information science.
Simmons has established a model of higher education that only today other colleges and universities are beginning to adapt: the combination of education for leadership in high-demand professional fields with the intellectual foundation of the liberal arts. The result is a Simmons graduate prepared not only to work, but to lead in professional, civic, and personal life — a vision of empowerment that Simmons calls preparation for life’s work.
The Simmons story is one of growth, innovation, and a solid foundation — fueled by on-the-ground and online enrollment, and investments in its campus and technology.
Open to see Simmons at a glance:
Simmons is a four-year, private, non-profit, non-sectarian university
Simmons is home to 1,788 undergraduate students and 4,539 graduate students
7:1 student to faculty ratio
Simmons offers over 35 majors and programs
The students can participate in over 70 clubs and organizations
They have 223 full-time faculty, 75% are women
92% of Simmons undergraduates are employed or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation
39% of undergraduate students identify as BIPOC
32 countries and 50 states are represented in their study body
*Numbers as of early 2024 unless otherwise noted
Rooted in Tradition, Thriving on Change
Decades before women in America gained the right to vote, Boston businessman John Simmons had a revolutionary idea — that women should be able to earn independent livelihoods and lead meaningful lives. It was this same spirit of inclusion and empowerment that produced the first African-American Simmons graduate in 1914, and made Simmons one of the only private colleges that did not impose admission quotas on Jewish students during the first half of the 1900s.
Since 1899, Simmons has offered a pioneering liberal arts education for undergraduate women integrated with professional work experience. Today, Simmons also encompasses the many benefits of a small university, including renowned coeducational graduate programs in health sciences, education, liberal arts, library and information science, management, and social work.
For more than 100 years, a Simmons education has integrated professional preparation, intellectual exploration, and community orientation, because all three approaches are necessary for success. At Simmons, they value the many dimensions of identity — including race, class, ethnicity, and sexual identity — and reflect that in their curriculum, affiliated organizations, and community partnerships.
Simmons consistently ranks among the nation’s top schools in its category in U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review and Forbes. That's no surprise. Simmons educates people who share a passion for learning, a commitment to community, and the determination to make a difference.
Leadership Spotlights:
Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten - President
Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten
President
“I am honored to be the ninth president of Simmons University, an institution with a rich tradition of empowering women-centered leaders and social justice champions.” – Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten
Dr. Wooten is the ninth president of Simmons University and the first African American to lead the university. A seasoned academic and an expert on organizational development and transformation, Lynn specializes in crisis leadership, diversity and inclusion, and positive leadership—organizational behavior that reveals and nurtures the highest level of human potential. Lynn is an innovative leader and prolific author and presenter whose research has informed her work in the classroom and as an administrator.
Lynn has also maintained a robust clinical practice, providing leadership development, education, and training for a wide variety of companies and institutions, from the Kellogg Foundation to Harvard University’s Kennedy School to Google.
Lynn grew up in Philadelphia. She is married to David Wooten, a chaired marketing professor at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. They have two children, Justin and Jada.
Professional Experience
Lynn first joined a university faculty in 1994 and has served in administrative roles since 2008. She came to Simmons from Cornell University, where she was the David J. Nolan Dean and Professor of Management and Organizations at the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management.
Lynn started her career as an assistant professor of management at the University of Florida Warrington College of Business. She returned to the University of Michigan in 1998, where she served on the faculty of the Ross School of Business for nearly 20 years. There she taught undergraduate, graduate, and executive education courses and served as Co-Faculty Director of the Center for Positive Organizations as well as Co-Faculty Director of the Executive Leadership Institute. She became engaged in student life as an associate dean, ultimately serving as Senior Associate Dean for Student and Academic Excellence. She left Michigan in 2017 for the deanship at Cornell.
Research & Publications
With leadership at the core of her work, Lynn’s research has ranged from an NIH-funded investigation of how leadership can positively alleviate health disparities to leading in a crisis and managing workforce diversity.
She is the author of two books, Positive Organizing in a Global Society: Understanding and Engaging Differences for Capacity Building and Inclusion (Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2016) and Leading Under Pressure: From Surviving to Thriving Before, During, and After a Crisis (Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2010). Sharing her work at nearly 60 symposia and conferences, she also is the author of nearly 30 journal articles and more than 15 book chapters, as well as managerial monographs and numerous teaching cases.
Beth Kramer - Vice President of Advancement and Chief Development Officer
Beth Kramer
Vice President of Advancement and Chief Development Officer
“I am thrilled to be joining Simmons University, an institution working to advance the important goals of women’s leadership, education and empowerment, and service to society. As Vice President for Advancement, I look forward to engaging with alumnae/i, potential donors, and other key stakeholders who are in a position to support Simmons’ transformative mission.” – Beth Kramer
Beth Kramer serves as Vice President of Advancement. Kramer is a strategic fundraising executive with more than 25 years of development experience at well-known institutions throughout Boston. She has led capital campaigns and secured high-profile gifts to endow fellowships, transform academic spaces, and build research centers. Most recently, Kramer served as the Vice President for Advancement at Olin College of Engineering and played a key role in helping that institution strengthen its annual giving program and design funding opportunities to motivate donor engagement. Prior to that, Kramer was the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, where she secured the School’s second-largest gift in history to create a new research center.
In this role at Simmons, Kramer oversees the Advancement team and continues to build a comprehensive Advancement program that effectively engages alumnae/i and identifies and inspires donors at all levels. Kramer understands the vital role that a strong advancement program plays in helping Simmons engage key audiences and achieve its strategic priorities. Her passion for higher education and data-driven approach will be a major asset, and she will help create new strategic opportunities that will motivate key stakeholders to invest in the future of our University.
Kramer currently resides in Needham and is a graduate of Ohio Northern University.
The Work Environment
Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles.
Simmons University was one of the first higher education institutions to prepare women to become leaders and has evolved to become a university offering a women's undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.
You’re joining the community at an especially exciting time as one of the University’s strategic goals is to become the most inclusive campus in New England. You’ll find that people who work there are truly committed to their mission of preparing students to become champions of social justice and leaders in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace. Learn more about their commitment to inclusive excellence.
Under the direction of Vice President of Advancement, Beth Kramer (she/her), the Advancement team is in a time of growth and expansion. This department offers an incredible opportunity to be entrepreneurial and creative in a fast-paced, collaborative, and collegial environment. The team had a record-breaking fundraising year in Fiscal Year 2022 and is focused on increasing revenue through alumnae/i-driven engagement strategy.
The Advancement team is closely connected with the University’s Strategic Priorities and plays a key role in supporting the current priorities and the long-term success of Simmons.
Simmons University offers competitive benefits and salaries as well as numerous resources that will enhance both your professional and personal life. Join their team and experience what makes Simmons Simmons!
Simmons is an equal opportunity employer. They are committed to hiring faculty and staff from all backgrounds to create and contribute to a truly inclusive environment.
One of several new student study spaces that have been added across campus.
Simmons University's Multicultural Center, located right off the quad on the first floor of the Management and Academic Building.
The Makerspace, a student-led facility that is used for creative activity, learning, and exploration.
One of Simmons University's student gathering spaces.
Simmons University's new and developing library space.
One of Simmons University's new lab spaces.
The Role - Associate Director of Affinity Engagement and Individual Giving
Reporting to the Director of Alumnae/i and Volunteer Engagement, the Associate Director of Affinity Engagement and Individual Giving (“Associate Director”) will serve as an integral member of the Office of Advancement (“Advancement”) team. The Associate Director will strategically advance programs, activities, and communications which connect and engage alumnae/i across various affinities and deepen the connection between Simmons and its more than 50,000 global graduates. Through the development and refinement of an integrated affinity strategy, relying heavily on volunteer recruitment and management, as well as cross-campus collaborations, the Associate Director will develop a robust culture of philanthropy amongst alumni groups with shared interests and connections.
Essential Responsibilities
Volunteer Management:
Create and bolster affinity programs to drive engagement of—and philanthropy among—alumnae/i and friends in key areas and targeted constituencies, such as professional and industry-based programs or regional, athletic, identity and interest-based affinities, and more. This will include both deepening the engagement within historic affinity groups and discovering new affinity opportunities.
Identify lead volunteers within signature affinity groups—including Black Alumnae, community engagement and social justice initiatives—and build out committees in support of fundraising around key events/initiatives.
In collaboration with the Associate Director of Alumnae/i and Volunteer Engagement, develop, lead, and participate in training opportunities for volunteers. This includes leading conference calls/webinars and creating written materials.
Communicate regularly with volunteers to support their work and share outcomes and results.
Create a robust plan to ensure affinity-based volunteers are cultivated and stewarded.
Fundraising:
Contribute to and execute departmental strategy for sustaining, growing, and building affinity groups in collaboration with the Associate Director of Volunteer and Alumnae/i Engagement. Develop metrics to track and measure effectiveness of affinity engagement and giving efforts.
Lead select affinity-based fundraising campaigns, including volunteer advocacy and messaging for outbound communications. Partner with Advancement colleagues, the Office of Student Engagement, Success and Diversity (SESD), and other student-facing organizations across campus to promote within their portfolios/constituency groups.
Curate and maintain a portfolio of volunteers for cultivation and solicitation in support of Advancement’s participation goals.
Create and execute a digital engagement strategy to introduce and advance fundraising opportunities such as crowdfunding efforts and specific affinity giving priorities.
Direct affinity volunteers to engage fellow alumnae/i as both donors and ambassadors in support of Simmons’ annual signature fundraising campaigns, including Reunion and Giving Day.
Collaborate with volunteer committees to amplify philanthropic outreach and encourage donor participation for all members.
Qualifications and Experience
Requirements:
A Bachelor's degree, or equivalent work experience.
A minimum of four (4) years of professional experience, or equivalent or transferable skills and experience; experience in higher education, alumni relations, and/or development preferred.
Demonstrated experience in constituent engagement and/or volunteer management.
Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating the ability to be aware of, coordinate, instruct, negotiate with, and be in service to others.
Strong time management skills and attention to detail, organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
Ability to envision, propose, and develop new initiatives that support Advancement’s goals, specifically around donor participation and engagement.
Must be able to handle sensitive information confidentially.
Some evening and weekend work is required, including staffing/attending specific events throughout the year.
Preferred Competencies:
Knowledge of annual giving processes, metrics, and systems.
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms. And other office procedures and terminology.
Knowledge of communication and dissemination techniques and methods, including alternative techniques and methods.
Knowledge of and skill with navigating and utilizing spreadsheets, presentations, word processing, databases, the internet, and other key computer and technical applications and related software. Knowledge of and skill with navigating and utilizing customer relations management applications (Raiser’s Edge/NXT in particular) a plus.
Strong communications skills, demonstrating the ability to effectively communicate and understand information and ideas across multiple stakeholders and constituencies, demonstrating active listening and learning.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to look at data and draw conclusions to inform strategies.
Demonstrated ability to work with individuals across different identities, backgrounds, and abilities.
Strong ability to work effectively in an outcomes-focused, team environment, with demonstrated ability to take responsibility for assigned tasks and take initiative.
Ability to recognize and identify problems of varying complexity and develop, implement, and evaluate creative solutions as appropriate. Ability to manage oneself and others as appropriate.
The ideal candidate will be positive, extremely service-oriented, and have a demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships with a variety of different individuals and groups.
Applications & Nominations
To explore this opportunity further, please send your resume in confidence to:
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.
Boyden Confidentiality Notice
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This executive brief contains confidential and/or legally privileged information. Therefore, any disclosure, copying, reproduction, or distribution without the consent of Boyden is strictly prohibited.
Simmons University, Associate Director - Job Description (PDF Download)
