Description:

Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations, the Director is responsible for the solicitation of annual giving funds for Bethany College. In particular, the Director designs and implements a solicitation strategy for alumni to financially support the Bethany Fund – the College’s unrestricted giving society.

Responsibilities:

The Director of Annual Giving will support Bethany College’s mission by conducting the following activities:

• Designing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive direct marketing strategy to acquire, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors through direct mail and online strategies. Specific duties & responsibilities: Multi-channel Appeals.
• Plan and implement a multi-channel appeal plan for the various constituencies each year, including direct mail, e-mail, web, and personalized strategies
• Serve as the lead contact for the direct mail and online fundraising programs, working closely with the donor engagement and communications teams to develop, implement, and coordinate strategies for donor retention, new donor acquisition, donor upgrades, and monthly conversion
• Manage a variety of other annual giving campaigns, including monthly giving and staff giving
• Work closely with the communications team to gather stories, images, and results to be utilized in direct marketing solicitation and cultivation pieces
• Strategize and implement a cultivation and stewardship plan to keep annual giving donors informed and engaged, including but not limited to new donor welcome series, newsletters, regional and other donor events, and volunteer opportunities
• Create and implement a strategy to provide a consistent and reliable pipeline of new donors
• Work with Database Administrator to develop and roll-out pipeline tracking report to manage and increase pipeline initiatives
• Collaborate with the Database Administrator to identify and qualify prospects
• Identify and evaluate the giving potential of high end and/or consistent annual donors through personal visits and research
• Conduct discovery/qualification calls annually to potential prospects at college events and other activities
• Assist with events, as needed
• Research and stay up-to-date on annual giving and direct marketing best practices in order to identify opportunities for greater fundraising efficiency and result

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE and Master’s degree in fundraising, marketing or related field preferred
• Three years’ nonprofit fundraising experience with a focus on direct marketing and annual giving (direct mail, online, and social media).

Knowledge

• Familiarity with donor management software, Raiser’s Edge preferred)
• Proper business correspondence
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Use of general office equipment and computer
• Ability to take initiative and function independently and as part of a team
• Use of the internet as a productivity or research tool
• Ability to work on a deadline-oriented team
• Business and professional etiquette
• Development and alumni relations best practices
• Basic understanding of research

Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Problem-solving skills, emphasizing a solutions-oriented mentality
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills
• Basic budgeting and cost-estimating
• Customer relations skills
• Comprehend, analyze and synthesize prospect reports, maps, tables, graphs and other technical information

Abilities

• Use mobile devices and technology to increase productivity, deploy marketing communications strategies and refine approaches using analytical tools
• Conduct successful face-to-face donor engagement or solicitation visits
• Energetic and self-motivated, well-prepared, with routinely robust follow through
• Demonstrate strong character, emphasizing integrity, caring and honesty, as well as loyalty to the institution
• Develop proficiency with the College’s fundraising database/software
• Maintain positive and respectful engagement with colleagues and clients
• Effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Adaptable and resilient when confronted with challenges and changing priorities
• Manage and meet deadlines
• Adhere to Divisional and College policies and procedures
• Compile expense reports
• Plan and appropriately execute social engagement activities
• Work effectively in a multi-faceted organization and develop cooperative and mutually respectful relationships with stakeholders at all levels, as well as diverse individuals and communities
• Manage sensitive and confidential information
• Demonstrate an authentic and enthusiastic interest in the mission of the College
• Work frequently on evenings and weekends