The Director of Annual Giving is responsible for developing strategy and implementing plans for a wide range of annual fundraising initiatives designed to strengthen engagement of, and giving from alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the University.

The successful candidate is responsible for planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating a strategic annual giving plan that enhances the overall culture of philanthropy. The Director oversees a comprehensive program that serves as the foundation of future fundraising success by developing and growing a philanthropic connection with alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends.

As a condition of employment, Duquesne University requires all new employees —full-time and part-time, including adjunct faculty—to get a COVID-19 vaccine and provide proof of their vaccination upon commencement of employment.

New employees requesting a religious or documented medical exemption from the vaccine must complete and submit a Duquesne University exemption request form for review and approval. To receive the appropriate exemption request form, contact [email protected]. Employees with approved exemptions will be required to be tested on a regular basis.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Creates, implements and maintains a 12-month strategic fundraising plan to include direct cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of current Duquesne University alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends through direct mail and digital appeals.
• Works collaboratively with Advancement Communication and Advancement Service colleagues related to annual giving appeal analytics, list preparation, creative concepts, messaging and reporting.
• Supervises one assistant director of annual giving.  This individual currently manages the direct mail appeal strategy portion of the overall Annual Giving plan.
• Analyzes data related to overall performance, from donor retention and acquisition, appeal effectiveness, and donors/dollars raised – and provides the strategy for each.
• Works with campus partners (i.e. Athletics) on any solicitations that are defined as an Annual Giving level gift to ensure the proper management of the donations including gift solicitation, processing and stewardship.
• Manages the Annual Giving budget.
• Stays current and attuned with Annual Giving trends, policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Related professional experience in higher education setting.
• Previous experience in supervisory role.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of related professional experience, including track record of success in annual giving fundraising.
• Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  • Experience establishing and improving donor retention and acquisition.
  • Experience developing strategies to increase average gift amounts.
  • Strong leadership skills to supervise, manage and motivate staff.
  • Strategic execution and management of a forward-looking comprehensive annual giving program of key audiences, including but not limited to, alumni, friends, faculty, staff and parents.
  • Expertise with predictive modeling fundraising tools (i.e. Blackbaud, Reeher, etc.).
  • Experience working with a fundraising databases (i.e. Banner, Raiser’s Edge, etc.).
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Exceptional organizational skills.
  • Ability to balance and deliver projects to meet deadlines.
  • Collaboration and teamwork a must.
  • Commitment to the University’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognition of the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission.  Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others).
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.
  • Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University.  The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

Application Instructions:

Applicants are asked to submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references.

Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit, Duquesne University values equality of opportunity as an educational institution and as an employer. We aspire to attract and sustain a diverse faculty and staff that reflects contemporary society, serves our academic goals and enriches our campus community. We particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups and support dual-career couples through our charter membership in this region’s HERC (http://www.hercjobs.org/oh-western-pa-wv/).

We invite applicants for this position to learn more about our university and its Spiritan heritage by visiting http://www.duq.edu/about/mission-and-identity/mission-statement. Those invited to campus for an interview may be asked about ways in which they see their talents contributing to the continued growth of our community and furthering its mission.