The Manager of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations is responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing comprehensive and integrated annual giving and alumni relations programs. He/she will build strategies for acquiring new donors, increasing alumni participation, and upgrading and retaining current donors.

The Manager of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations Serves as prospect manager to oversee the development and growth of a portfolio of 200-250 individual donors with the capacity to give at the $1,000 level or higher to the Annual Fund. He/she will work closely with the alumni relations office and major gifts officers to conduct outreach through online, in-person, and telephone solicitations. He/she will create direct mail campaigns and digital strategies utilizing email, social media, and phone calls to collect or increase donations.

He/she will work with the event coordinator and a variety of stakeholders across the College to engage alumni. Other duties include coordinating with the alumni board, volunteers, especially planning and implementing special events and affinity programs. Conduct research on potential new donors and develop and track metrics for accountability.

Essential Functions:

The Manager of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations is responsible for the general management of the Annual Fund, including planning and executing fundraising and alumni engagement programs. Additional responsibilities include:

• Develop face-to-face cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for 200-250 prospects identified through the annual giving pipeline as part of the overall fundraising strategy.
• Develop a plan and recommend improvements to annual giving’s online presence, including integrated digital and social media strategies and other traditional annual giving campaigns such as Giving Tuesday.
• Recommend changes and improvements to processes, objectives, and goals based on the evaluation of completed programs to increase alumni engagement and participation.
• Use the development database (Raisers Edge) to retrieve data and perform a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of the annual fund. Use statistics to assess results and trends, evaluate current programs, and make recommendations for program changes.
• Serve as the liaison to the alumni board – BCAA Scholarship recipient supervisor.
• Collaborate with the Events Coordinator on planning and implementing alumni events including Commencement, and other alumni receptions and networking events.
• Work with Marketing to ensure brand attributes and messaging is incorporated in annual giving marketing materials including direct mail, social media outreach, fall and spring appeals, and personal solicitations; provide content for the Becker magazine as required.
• Identify and cultivate alumni and friends in key positions to build support for the University and its mission.
• Oversee the acknowledgment and recognition of all annual fund gifts, including the Annual Report to donors.
• Develop a plan and calendar to track metrics and report Annual Fund progress.
• Assist with planning and executing parent and grandparent giving programs.
• Connect with key stakeholders across campus to promote alumni office, including deans of the individual schools, create affinity events for nursing vet tech, etc.
• Increase student engagement and events; create a senior class giving program and phone-a-thon program.

Other Responsibilities: 

• Participate in department meetings, Campus-related committees, and professional development programs as required.
• Comply with all Becker College policies and procedures including but not limited to solicitation and acceptance of gifts, alumni policies, and naming policies.
• Responsible for all other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Some evening and weekend work required.

Position Reports to: Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Starting Salary: Exempt (Salaried). Commensurate with experience.

Core Competencies: 

• Strong organization, communication (both written and verbal), and analytical skills.
• Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with both external donors and internal colleagues.
• Must be knowledge of and comfort with technology, including familiarity with computer-based fundraising support systems (e.g., preferably Raiser’s Edge, or similar).
• Ability to understand and create data queries and analytical comprehension of complex data sets that inform strategic direction for solicitations.
• A high degree of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff and constituents at all levels.
• Ability to manage highly confidential information.
• Ability to manage diverse and complex projects under tight deadlines.
• Ability to prepare and manage a budget and resources.
• Knowledgeable of industry trends models and practices.
• Knowledge of and adherence to policy and procedures, recommending changes when necessary.
• Proven track record of soliciting and securing philanthropic support or working in sales.
• Experience working in the nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in philanthropy.
• Functional working knowledge of digital communications.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office Suite and database applications.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three years’ experience in fundraising with demonstrated proficiency in prospecting and portfolio development, preferable in an institution of higher education.
• Comparable experience in marketing and sales can be substituted.
• Raisers Edge experience a plus.