The director of Annual Giving is responsible for the leadership, management, and execution of USD’s annual giving program. Working closely with the assistant vice president (AVP) for Advancement Operations, this position develops and implements an integrated strategic plan to grow participation and increase annual philanthropic revenue. This position directs the work of the professional staff in the Office of Annual Giving and collaborates with the Offices of Development, Alumni Relations, Parent and Family Relations, Donor Relations, academic units, and Athletics on donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship opportunities, ensuring targeted approaches and consistent messaging. The director is responsible for managing the direct mail and electronic solicitation programs, the Telefunding Center, USD’s annual day of giving campaign, student philanthropy initiatives, and donor recognition programs including the President’s Club for donors of $1,500+. The director is responsible for the content and structure of the online Giving website. The director is a key partner on other fundraising initiatives and campaign planning.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Annual Giving Program  

• Develop and implement integrated and campaign-specific strategic plans to grow undergraduate alumni participation, increase annual philanthropic revenue, and feed the major gifts pipeline through active donor engagement, personal outreach, giving campaigns, direct mail and electronic solicitations, and telefunding.
• Collaborate with Offices of Development, Alumni Relations, Parent and Family Relations, Donor Relations, academic units, and Athletics on donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship opportunities, ensuring targeted approaches and consistent messaging with particular emphasis paid to alumni participation.
• Implement and manage annual giving and special solicitation campaigns, including Torero Tuesday, USD’s annual day of giving, and student philanthropy initiatives.
• Consult with Advancement Services on critical CRM reports and comparative metrics to inform and maximize direct mail and electronic solicitation campaigns; report out on goal analytics and unit performance in real time during pressurized, data driven giving campaigns; integrate effective technology in program initiatives.
• Collaborate with University Marketing and Communications teams to develop relevant themes and brand-conscious print and digital collateral materials, USD Magazine ads, and external content for social media and the Giving website; utilize emerging digital media opportunities into the overall solicitation plan, as appropriate.
• Develop a broadly disseminated production calendar of central and unit-specific direct mail and electronic solicitations to consolidate efforts and resources, moderate outreach, effect cooperation, and ensure consistent messaging.
• Monitor compliance with all aspects of the university’s procurement procedures and strategic sourcing initiatives; coordinate with internal and external vendors and service providers to assure contracts are vetted, timelines met, and campaign penetration and effectiveness analyzed.
• Oversee telefunding program working closely with the manager of the Telefunding Center; provide segmentation framework consistent with overall solicitation and direct mail strategy.
• Develop training program for student managers and callers in concert with manager; create calling scripts aligned with departmental strategies, divisional campaigns, and university priorities.
• Represent the Office of Annual Giving at division meetings and special events such as Homecoming and Family Weekend, Summer Send Offs, and donor events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Technology Implementation and Oversight 

• Work with Alumni Relations, Advancement Services, ITS, and other university partners to maintain content, events, email, and online giving modules within the university’s enterprise platform; ensure data obtained through each module is properly segmented and reflected in the CRM system.
• Fortify relationships with account representatives to ensure full advantage is taken of all new and existing features within the applications and expedite resolution of issues/concerns with implementation.
• Coordinate requests from university groups and partners for usage of email tool, events module, and crowdfunding platform; work with Creative Services to develop email templates for approved university partners.
• Ensure events are properly marketed according to the technology used and revenue is recorded accurately with Accounting and in the CRM system.
• Attend conferences and trainings exploring new and refining existing technology; engage with peer schools utilizing these applications; assess implementation challenges and outcomes.

Donor Recognition Program  

• Manage the President’s Club, USD’s donor recognition program for annual donors of $1,500 or more; facilitate other donor recognition opportunities including, but not limited to, the School of Law’s Maudsley Fellows.
• Coordinate with Advancement Services to identify prospects; oversee the administrative professionals responsible for qualifying President’s Club prospects; report on outcomes as appropriate.
• Create and implement a comprehensive plan for ongoing engagement with President’s Club donors including personal solicitation and cultivation; coordinate the involvement of other development officers.
• Manage a portfolio of President’s Club leadership gift prospects including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Coordinate with Special Events and Creative Services to plan, promote, and execute donor recognition events including but not limited to Twilight Blues, Night at the Old Globe, the Students First! Employee Giving celebration.

Department Management 

• Direct the work of the professional staff in the Office of Annual Giving including those supporting academic units; establish departmental goals and objectives; inspire productivity and new, strategic approaches.
• Ensure subordinate supervisors and administrative professionals adhere to defined internal controls; manage systems and procedures to protect departmental assets.
• Develop a strategic annual giving budget in collaboration with the AVP; supervise budgetary planning for the Office of Annual Giving, Telefunding, and Law School Annual Fund ensuring compliance with USD’s purchasing and financial policies.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and provide feedback on a regular basis including, but not limited to, corrective action; report to the AVP on the work and progress of the team.
• Promote professional growth and provide development opportunities for employees.

Special Conditions of Employment:

The University of San Diego is requiring all employees to follow our Covid-19 vaccine requirement process. https://www.sandiego.edu/onward/

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

 Qualifications: Minimum and Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in development, annual giving, direct marketing fundraising, and/or related professions.
• Strong leadership/management skills, including proven ability to direct, mentor, recruit, evaluate, and motivate staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work with donors one-on-one for solicitation and stewardship purposes.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking; ability to communicate positively and effectively with a diverse audience; possess exceptional critical listening and thinking skills.
• Must exhibit attention to detail with excellent organizational and time management skills; remain professional under pressure.
• Understand the role of technology in annual fundraising and possess the ability to utilize sophisticated fundraising software effectively.
• Experience with budget management and fiscal planning.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with advancement professionals, academic administrators, senior executives, trustees of the university and outside constituencies.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Must be friendly and personable; mature, positive attitude; a team player.

Performance Expectations: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Commitment to working as a member of a team and collaborate with colleagues.
• Strong sense of integrity and ethical conduct.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity a must; ability to understand different cultural contexts and viewpoints, demonstrate respect for others, adapt to different cultural settings; and accept cultural differences.
• Ability to think creatively and analytically.
• Highly proficient with new technology and CRM platforms.
• Knowledge of fundraising strategies and proven ability to secure gifts.
• Knowledge of annual giving trends and patterns; ability to utilize digital communication to increase contacts with alumni, students, and other constituencies.
• Ability to produce and utilize statistical data for evaluation.
• Must be able to take initiative and ascertain priorities in a dynamic environment of regular interruptions, multiple projects, and deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with tact and discretion.
• Knowledge of USD’s policies and procedures.

Posting Salary: Commensurate with experience; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package, to include medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University (with three year vesting period), and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Click Apply Now to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. Please include salary expectations in the cover letter.

Hours: 40 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled

Note: External job postings will be up for at least five days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the campus community.