Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving is responsible for the planning, execution, and management of a comprehensive multi-channel direct marketing program with a goal of increasing the total number of annual donors to Colorado State University and engaging and activating alumni and donors.

This will be achieved through the development and enhancement a robust direct mail program for both annual giving and alumni membership. The Assistant Director will provide overall strategic planning, project management, writing, and direct the creative for each solicitation from conception to completion.

The Assistant Director will work closely with outside vendors to produce and mail all pieces, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to fund-raise on their behalf. This position will also work closely with Annual Giving’s Digital Strategist to plan and execute giving days, crowdfunding projects, and mini giving campaigns to deepen connections with donors. Additionally this position will work in partnership with Alumni Relations, Donor Relations and Stewardship, and University Advancement Communications to plan and manage all projects designed to increase Alumni Participation. The Assistant Director will use strong research and writing skills with exceptional organizational, analytical and project management skills to fulfill scope of work.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a fundraising, alumni relations, or membership program role in higher education or other non-profit setting OR equivalent experience in a complex organization such as sales, banking, business development, client management, or marketing
• Ability to work non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends
• A demonstrated ability to engage and effectively communicate with diverse audiences
• Must have a valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain a driver’s license, or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience with direct mail and online giving
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to successfully identify and build relationships and connect donor/client interests with opportunities in a complex organization
• Demonstrated project management experience
• Ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative metrics for making data driven decisions
• Ability to problem solve and adapt to rapidly changing situations and successfully manage multiple complex projects from start to finish
• Ability to work cross-functionally with academic and administrative leaders in a collaborative environment to conceive and implement innovative ideas
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience working in a CRM or other relational database such as Advance or Raiser’s Edge

Essential Duties

• Responsible for concept, scheduling, and planning of all direct mail solicitations intended for broad audiences of alumni, donors, parents, and faculty and staff for Annual Giving and the Alumni association membership program.
• Manage the direct mail budget, which totals $100,000 annually.
• Write and direct creative language for 50+ fundraising and stewardship pieces annually.
• Strategically solve advanced marketing challenges through segmentation strategy, testing packages and initiatives.
• Responsible for creating the content and identifying the audiences for Colorado State Universities giving days, and mini giving campaigns.
• Responsible for coordinating both central and college/unit based annual giving appeals.
• Serve as a resource for campus partners in developing solicitations and other advancement communications.
• Analyze data and results to identify opportunities and suggest solutions to challenges in donor acquisition and retention.
• Develop processes for projects assigned by Managing Director to meet annual unit/division fundraising goals, handle any roadblocks discovered, and bring issues to closure, discerning when to take an issue up the chain of command.
• Understand and apply knowledge of University fundraising priorities and goals. Develop strategies to manage and continuously improve the donor experience.
• Serve as the project manager for all direct mail solicitations, managing the timelines and workflow in a project management database.
• Serve as the project manager with all outside vendors including Colorado State Universities direct mail vendor to establish the budget and project timelines for each piece.
• Manage the RFP process and work with contracting services to establish work with outside direct mail vendors.
• Responsible for procurement decisions and management of financial documents as it relates to direct mail.
• Analyze processes and suggest process improvements to leadership. Will ensure that projects are moving forward and are on schedule as well as ensuring that each team member has the resources needed to complete their projects.
• Establish and determine messaging strategies that highlight the value and impact of the fundraising opportunities within the unit and follow protocol to ensure quality communication pieces go out to the donors and members.
• Strategize with the Annual Giving Digital Strategist, Associate Director of Alumni Association membership, and Athletics to develop cross-promotional messaging and areas of partnership.
• Work in partnership with Alumni Relations, Donor Relations and Stewardship, and University Advancement Communications to plan and manage all projects designed to increase Alumni Participation.
• Contribute to the mission of the unit to increase Alumni Participation through the efforts of direct marketing.
• Identify opportunities for growth in annual giving metrics through intensive data analysis.
• Become an expert on Colorado State University and familiar with campus leadership to better respond to the needs of donors and staff.
• Actively participate as a staff member in the Division of University Advancement, attend Division-wide meetings and trainings, support Division-wide priorities and initiatives, and serve on committees as time permits.