Babson College · 4 hours ago
Development Programs Manager
Wellesley MA
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$123K/yr - $137K/yr
8+ years expBabson College is seeking a Development Programs Manager responsible for designing and delivering development programs that advance the college’s philanthropic goals. This role involves strategic leadership in program development, stakeholder management, and collaboration with various teams to ensure successful execution of initiatives.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Conceive, develop, and drive the programmatic vision for Babson Connect Worldwide (BCW), a multi-day international convening that advances Babson’s philanthropic priorities and global engagement strategy. Lead agenda development, content strategy, and speaker themes to support learning, idea exchange, donor engagement, and philanthropy
Identify and evaluate international destinations for BCW, applying cultural fluency and strategic judgment to ensure locations support program objectives, audience engagement, and advancement outcomes
Lead the development and execution of signature Advancement programming that aligns with presidential travel, fundraising initiatives, and donor‑engagement trips, ensuring cohesive experiences that elevate institutional visibility and philanthropic impact
Provide programmatic leadership across all BCW components, with a defined scope focused on strategy, while partnering closely with Donor Experience Events and Marketing teams, who manage responsibility for logistics, communications, and production. This role focuses on clarity of roles, timelines, and expectations, to drive seamless delivery, not the direct management or execution of event or marketing functions
Establish, manage, and lead a high-level Advisory Committee composed of major and principal gift prospects. Cultivate relationships with committee members; guide discussions; influence outcomes; and, when necessary, push back to maintain alignment with Babson’s priorities
Drive sponsorship strategy and engagement for BCW, including individual and corporate partners. Manage ongoing relationships, facilitate regular touchpoints, and ensure sponsor participation supports both the program and broader advancement goals. Fundraising and sponsor engagement are core performance metrics
Ensure BCW progresses toward long-term sustainability, including diversified sponsorship support (cash and in-kind), strong attendance, and demonstrable advancement outcomes
Research, recruit, and engage site-specific committee members and partners, convening focus sessions to surface ideas, opportunities, and partnerships that strengthen the BCW program year over year
Manage additional high-profile development programs and engagements as assigned, including board-related initiatives and signature institutional moments. Collaborate with Donor Experience (Events, Marketing and Stewardship) to provide strategy and programmatic leadership for these additional high-profile development programs and engagements as assigned, including board-related initiatives and signature institutional moments. Partner closely with Babson leadership and advisory committees to shape program topics, speaker strategy, and overall direction, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and campaign priorities. Serve as the primary strategic lead for committee engagement and decision-making
Collaborate with Donor Experience and College Marketing to ensure messaging, positioning, and visibility efforts align program strategy and target audiences, while not directly executing marketing or media plans
Engage senior leadership, including the President and President’s Council, to ensure a coordinated “One Babson” approach across signature engagements and maximize institutional impact
Oversee program-level registration strategy, reporting, and stakeholder updates
Work within established program budgets for BCW and related initiatives, partnering closely with the Events team to ensure alignment with financial parameters and advancement objectives
Lead programmatic planning and engagement strategy for the Global Advisory Board’s annual multi-day destination experience, ensuring meaningful content, strong participation, and advancement outcomes
Assume additional responsibilities consistent with a senior development program role in a complex advancement organization
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree
8-10+ years of experience in advancement, development programs, executive education, convenings, or complex stakeholder-driven initiatives
Proven ability to lead sophisticated programs with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
Must have previous experience in strategic event programing
Must have experience in personal solicitation
Strong judgment, diplomacy, and confidence navigating challenging conversations
Demonstrated effectiveness in working with a diverse student body, faculty, staff, and other constituents
Ability to envision and propose new methods to perform tasks that support ET&A; work independently to solve problems; look for opportunities to take on responsibility; take thoughtful risks; and accept new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions to gain sought-after results
Ability to anticipate and embrace change; demonstrate willingness to achieve, acquire, and utilize new skills and challenging tasks; and is flexible in changing conditions
Must have strong technology skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
Highly organized, strategic thinker with the ability to drive outcomes in a fast-paced environment
Ability to establish credibility and confidence with stakeholders
Must have exceptional collaboration and interpersonal skills, and the ability to be effective engaging with all levels within the college
Demonstrated effectiveness in planning, administration, and fiscal management
Must have exceptional presentation skills and strong project management skills
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
Must have the flexibility and willingness to assume new tasks and special projects
Ability to travel and staff events as necessary, domestically and internationally
Requires work onsite a minimum of 3 days a week (Monday and a minimum of 2 other days; additional requirements based on outlined department policy); the on-campus requirement is subject to modification based on organizational need
Must have had a valid unrestricted U.S. Driver's License for one year, and maintain throughout employment an insurable (as determined by the College's insurer's criteria) or a satisfactory driving record; must successfully complete and pass the College's vehicle training program within the first 60 days of employment; annual or more frequent review of employee's driving record based on the College insurer's criteria; and safety training as required by management
Requires occasional nights/weekends
Preferred
Ability to translate strategy into operational objectives and tactics
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision, group life and long-term disability insurance, business travel accident insurance, and mental health benefits.
Starting at 3 weeks of vacation annually, 2 weeks of sick time, 1 week of paid family illness time, 6 weeks of paid parental leave, and 12 paid holidays per year.
Participation in a 403(b) retirement plan with mandatory employee contributions and a 4:1 employer match.
Wellbeing programs, virtual fitness platform, and employee assistance program.
Company
Babson College
The global leader in entrepreneurship education. The No. 1 undergraduate school and MBA for entrepreneurship 29 and 32 times in a row. (U.S.
501-1000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Babson College has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (2)
2024 (3)
2023 (2)
2022 (1)
2021 (6)
2020 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
David Abdow
President and CEO, Babson Global Inc.
Donna Levin
CEO, Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Recent News
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