The Assistant Director, Annual Giving Direct Marketing serves as an integral partner in developing and executing the outreach strategy to acquire, renew and retain donors through in-person giving opportunities, direct mail and digital channels. S/he is responsible for several key processes for the annual giving team, including coordination of giving opportunities on campus and at alumni events, vendor relationship management, project management and oversight of donor stewardship mailings following key initiatives, including Give Marquette Day. This position has the opportunity to work in a hybrid work arrangement, with work time both on campus as well as remotely.

• Plans and executes in-person solicitation opportunities, including on-campus giving opportunities throughout the year, Give Marquette Day events and key alumni programs. Includes management and training of volunteers (staff and students), on-site set up, creation of materials and ensuring all donations are tracked appropriately in MarqIt (Blackbaud CRM) in coordination with Gift Services team.
• Coordinates and implements direct marketing efforts to solicit alumni, parents, students and friends, ensuring materials are produced and completed for timely delivery to constituents.
• Communicates with external partners and vendors to design, quote and produce marketing materials. Oversees annual giving team inventory to track on inventory of marketing supplies.
• Creates and manages master direct marketing calendar for annual giving team, ensuring projects stay on schedule and status updates are visible for all team members. Serves as project manager for all communication needs within annual giving team.
• Serves as primary liaison to Alumni Engagement team to ensure giving opportunities are infused across programming – both through online messaging and in-person. In addition, focus on student and young alumni giving through in-person programming, tabling, communication, and thoughtful outreach.
• Oversees process for donor stewardship outreach, ensuring that materials are delivered in a timely manner.
• In partnership with digital strategy and research teams, utilizes software application to analyze donor information from social media and ensure data is shared with internal partners to identify opportunities to further engage constituents for lasting relationships and giving opportunities.
• Influences and maintains lasting relationships with key vendors and external partners to ensure stewardship and maximization of giving potential across donor base, including through segmentation.
• Ensures timely payment to external vendors. Partners with teammates to ensure fiscal responsibility when working with external partners.
• Identifies and executes partnership opportunities with Marquette-owned companies to fundraise.
• Aligns with annual giving team to develop and execute peak strategies maximize overall donor experience.
• Partners with colleagues around student alumni ambassador program, including managing student volunteers and coordinating opportunities for engagement at events.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required, assigned, or requested.

Functional and Technical Competencies

• Strong Analytical and Problem Solving Skills
• Experience and proficiency with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Teams)
• Ability to build relationships and communicate across all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and maintain strict deadlines
• Ability to problem solve complex issues in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and maximize relationships with both internal and external partners.
• Event planning experience is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail is essential.

Education/Training and Certification, Licensure, Registration Requirements

Bachelor’s degree is required.

Experience

• Three to five years of experience in higher education development, direct marketing, project management or related experience.

• Experience working in a fast-paced environment and the ability to prioritize and self-manage multiple projects simultaneously; ability to adapt to new and evolving circumstances.

• Event planning and volunteer management experience is preferred.
• Experience with donor CRM is a plus.