The director’s primary responsibility is the strategic execution and management of a comprehensive annual giving program with a focus on the Fund for WCU (unrestricted giving), including the coordination and oversight of supporting initiatives in the areas of development, alumni and donor relations. He/She develops a coordinated matrix of communication and solicitation strategies involving email, online, text, direct mail, phone, personal visitation and volunteer engagement, all focused on shaping a sustainable tradition of annual support. In addition, he/she will foster the growth of best practices in the supporting areas of gift processing, data management and donor relations as related to annual giving and the University as a whole. The director has a keen appreciation for the foundation of annual giving as the enabling component of successful major and gift planning programs. The director is responsible for ensuring that the University is a leader among peers as measured externally in terms of total dollars, total donors, percentage of participation, consistency of giving and average gift size and internally in terms of clean data, ease of access to data and timely donor stewardship. The Director of Annual Giving is an EHRA non-faculty, direct fundraising position that reports to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Engagement within the Office of Engagement.

The director will supervise the Assistant Director of Annual Giving for Chatty Cats (student calling program) and the Assistant Director of Annual Giving for Student and Young Alumni Engagement. Responsibilities for the assistant directors include student, young alumni, and parent philanthropy, phonathon solicitations, phonathon student staff management, and personal solicitations through small lead annual giving portfolio.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required;
• Five years of fundraising and/or experience in higher education required;
• Strong managerial, leadership and supervisory skills is required;
• Ability to mentor and train direct reports;
• Demonstrated organizational and communication skills as well as ability to work with and motivate other development professionals and volunteers;
• Demonstrated analytical and fundraising skills with the ability to recognize opportunities, identify critical, high pay-off activities and prioritize them to attain goals;
• Demonstrated metrics for successful annual giving campaigns;
• Experience managing a budget;
• Excellent skills and understanding of computer and constituent software required;
• Experience with data management and segmentation;
• Experience using a CRM database system;
• Proficient in social media engagement;
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment;
• Willingness and ability to travel and to work nights and weekends, as required.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Preferred qualifications include a Masters degree in a related field, five years of annual giving experience, and experience using Raiser’s Edge, Guided Fundraising, or GiveCampus platforms.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $70,000 – $75,000

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

To be considered, you must apply online. Attach a cover letter, current resume and a list of references (including complete contact information with name, title, address, email, and phone) to complete the application. For questions and additional information, please contact Jamie Raynor, Vice Chancellor for Development at 828-227-3052 or [email protected].

Employees at WCU may be required to submit to campus based COVID 19 vaccination or testing requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.