The mission of West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) is to “Serve West Point and the Long Gray Line.” WPAOG is both the alumni association and foundation for the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. Our vision is to ensure the Long Gray Line remains the most highly connected alumni body in the world. USMA is renowned as the world’s preeminent leadership development institution. The student body, or Corps of Cadets, numbers approximately 4,400, and each year approximately 1,000 cadets graduate and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.
West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) is seeking a Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations to join its Development Team and lead efforts to grow corporate and foundation support for USMA and WPAOG priorities. The program is experiencing significant fundraising momentum, on track to generate $5 million in cash and $5 million in pledges this year, more than doubling its historical annual results. The Director will build on this success by expanding the number of corporate partners, cultivating new funding relationships, and growing support from existing donors.
Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Development, the Director will serve as a lead frontline fundraiser and WPAOG’s internal lead for corporate outreach. The incumbent will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward corporate and foundation prospects and donors, develop strategic partnerships, and build relationships with corporate executives, business leaders, foundations, alumni, and other influential contacts. The Director will collaborate closely with other Development revenue-generation teams to identify individuals with relevant corporate and institutional connections and develop strategies to leverage those relationships. The position will also coordinate monthly meetings with Alumni Programs, Sponsorship, and other relevant colleagues to align outreach and identify new partnership opportunities. In addition, the Director will lead strategic fundraising initiatives, including targeted campaigns and matching-gift opportunities, and work closely with Academy leadership, faculty, staff, and WPAOG colleagues to translate institutional priorities into compelling funding opportunities. The Director will supervise the Grants Manager responsible for primary grant coordination and administration and oversee donor stewardship and partnership development.
The successful candidate will be an energetic, enterprising, and results-oriented professional with demonstrated success in frontline fundraising, corporate relationship development, and securing significant philanthropic commitments. Exceptional interpersonal, networking, written, and verbal communication skills are required, as are strong organizational, strategic thinking, and collaboration skills. The incumbent must be comfortable engaging senior corporate leaders, building new relationships, managing a prospect pipeline, and pursuing ambitious fundraising opportunities. Proficiency with CRM software is required; experience with Blackbaud CRM and Tableau is preferred. Familiarity with higher education, nonprofit fundraising, USMA, and the U.S. Army is advantageous.
A bachelor’s degree is required, with an advanced degree preferred. A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in fundraising, development, corporate relations, foundation relations, business development, or a related field is required. This is a collaborative, hands-on leadership role requiring a four-day in-office/one-day remote schedule at West Point. Candidates must live within commuting distance. We offer excellent benefits and a collegial working environment. The salary range will be approximately $120,000–$135,000, depending on skills and experience. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and up to three (3) letters of reference. To apply, visit https://www.westpointaog.org/employment.
