Reporting to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development, the Director of Annual Giving is responsible for raising unrestricted and restricted funds for areas of greatest need within the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Director oversees the 1904 Club including but not limited to annual giving direct mail, email campaigns, and annual renewals. This position works directly with Gift Officers to coordinate annual asks of President’s Society assigned donors, and coordinates efforts with fellow members of the University Advancement team. In addition, this position solicits gifts from less than $50,000. This position will oversee an annual schedule of programmatic engagement, communication and solicitations. The Director oversees execution of other annual giving initiatives including Tommie Give Day, crowdfunding, and specific annual fund events.

Essential Functions

Program Management

• Oversee the strategies that increase overall donor growth and retention.
• Solicit gifts below major giving level (less than $50,000) and work directly with Senior Associate Athletic Director to meet annual fundraising goals.
• Oversee programmatic and communication elements of the 1904 Club
• Ensure strong retention and upgrades for 1904 Club Members, by coordinating with gift officers on assigned prospects, coordinating with annual giving team members on other broad-based initiatives, and personally soliciting a select group of donors and prospects.
• Manage and implement the direct mail and email campaigns for annual giving in partnership with other annual giving staff. Serve as the liaison with the Advancement Communications team.
• Oversee other annual giving initiatives such as Tommie Give Day, crowdfunding, engagement center, and annual fund events.

Athletic Ticket Relations

• Work with Athletic Ticket Office Staff to manage the Tommie Points Priority System
• Assist donors with annual ticket and parking renewals as needed.
• Collaborate and support the Premium Seating efforts of Tommie Athletics (new sales, renewals, stewardship)

Partnerships

• Collaborate with colleagues across University Advancement to formulate and execute a program supporting annual giving, as well as to maximize all forms of giving Athletics.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Five years of experience in a successful annual giving program
• Fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or eligible for legally required exemption such as a medical or religious reason

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree and/or appropriate professional certification (e.g., CFRE).

Any equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge skills and abilities who have been acquired may be substituted.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

Join Our Community
The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
• A generous Employer retirement contribution of 9.4% of annual salary upon eligibility
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits

The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We are committed to building a skilled team that represents a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. This commitment is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.