Director of Annual Giving

Posted on 06/02/2022

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

The George Mason University Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations invites qualified candidates to apply for a full-time Director of Annual Giving position.
This position offers:
  • Potential for flexible telework and hybrid telework scheduling;
  • Competitive salary; and
      • Health & life insurance, multiple industry-leading retirement plans available including state VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan, accrued paid days off per year, paid holidays, paid winter break, paid sick leave, professional development, tuition reimbursement at GMU, and employee assistance programs.Outstanding benefits including:

George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Department: 

The University Advancement division is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 135 full-time employees. Functional units within Advancement include development/fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship and donor relations, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services.

Advancement’s mission is to build strong, lifelong relationships with George Mason University’s alumni and constituents, while matching their philanthropic interests with the university’s aspirations and priorities. The division is committed to serving the needs of the university, our alumni, and the greater community by providing access to quality education and lifelong learning. Respect, service, integrity, collaboration, diversity, transparency, and creativity are the values that guide our work and culture.
About the Position: 
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Director of Annual Giving will oversee all daily operational facets of Annual Giving including helping to determine the strategic vision, goal setting, program implementation and assessment, and daily management of Annual Giving staff.
Coordinating a year-round acquisition and cultivation program, the Director of Annual Giving will build strategies for acquiring new donors, with a special emphasis on increasing undergraduate alumni donors, while implementing innovative initiatives for increasing, retaining and upgrading current and new donor’s annual support.

The Director will assist in generating support by implementing a variety of strategies to raise funds at the Leadership Annual Giving levels. The Director will be an excellent project manager with a passion for creating and implementing data-driven strategies and a proven ability to work across the university to execute projects and initiatives. The Director will be donor-centered and excited to experiment and explore new approaches for connecting with donors.
Responsibilities: 
  • Working with the Director of Development, this position will lead the university’s efforts to increase annual individual giving from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and students;
  • Assist with the development of a strategic plan for the Office of Annual Giving to meet yearly financial and participation goals;
  • Work collaboratively with, and in support of: volunteers, school and college development staff, alumni relations staff, and other university representatives to engage prospects in the $1,000-$25,000 level;
  • Collaborate with communication teams to develop relevant materials and external content for social media and Mason’s Giving website;
  • Incorporate emerging digital media opportunities into the overall solicitation plan;
  • Ensure that the University’s brand and overall marketing and communications strategy is used consistently in annual giving materials;
  • Manage the Mason Vision Day campaign;
  • Manage the Annual Giving Council;
  • Assist in organizing the 15th and greater Alumni Class Reunions;
  • Cultivate partnerships with other departments across campus;
  • Ensure an optimal online giving experience for donors and optimal service to the development units;
  • Manage a stewardship program for annual donors;
  • Oversee ongoing strategic initiatives for annual giving, including: optimizing partnerships with gift officers, building the University’s crowdsourcing program, determining how to best involve volunteers, and utilizing engagement scores and predictive indices;
  • Analyze historical data and current year statistics to include suggestions, recommendations and solutions to running a more efficient Annual Giving program;
  • Effectively manage, develop, and motivate Annual Giving’s staff of professionals;
  • Must be able to travel, occasional work on evenings and/or weekends may be required; and
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

  • Significant experience (generally 5-7 years) in managing annual giving programs integrating the full strategic complement of solicitation channels;
  • Experience in Higher Education, preferred;
  • A significant background in all forms of direct marketing—especially direct mail and e-direct—including knowledge of direct marketing strategy, creative development, production, and program metrics which consist of creating dashboards and reporting;
  • A background in call center/engagement center management and knowledge of University communications best practices;
  • A thorough and current knowledge of, and a commitment to, overall fundraising principles and best practices in annual giving, including social and digital media;
  • Ability to organize and interpret data sets relating to goal setting, projections, and results;
  • Familiarity and comfort with complex data and donor management software platforms;
  • Demonstrated understanding of new and emerging fundraising techniques and technologies;
  • Demonstrated understanding of digital media and social media as key platforms for fundraising;
  • Demonstrated organizational management and leadership skills;
  • Ability to work collaboratively with multiple teams and volunteers;
  • The ability to think critically, strategically, and creatively about the development and growth of the Annual Giving program;
  • Be an accomplished presenter, demonstrated self-starter and an innovative/creative thinker;
  • Exhibit an in-depth understanding of new and emerging fundraising techniques and technologies;
  • Must be able to travel; occasional work on evenings and/or weekends may be required; and
  • Demonstrate extensive analytical skills, vision, flexibility, and the drive to exceed yearly goals.

Salary: 

$100,000 – $130,000; Commensurate with education and experience.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.gmu.edu.