Position Description 

The Assistant Director’s primary responsibility is the creation, implementation, and management of major and mid-size campaigns across Hamline University’s undergraduate and graduate degree constituencies. S/he is responsible for developing appeals with consistent look and messaging across various channels (direct mail, email, social media, and web) focused on increasing annual financial support and participation in the annual fund for various segments. To accomplish these goals, the assistant director is responsible for managing external vendor relationships, including printers and designers. In addition, s/he is responsible for analyzing appeal results and implementing best practices and segmentation to increase return and effectiveness.

Accountabilities:

Direct Marketing/Fundraising

• Work with the Director to build a comprehensive solicitation calendar including mail, email, and social media appeals.
• Work with the Director to determine thematic messaging and segmentation strategies.
• Write text and manage internal and external production of annual fund appeals working with outside vendors and colleagues across campus as appropriate. Manage appeals process from idea conception all the way to delivery.
• Write content for web and social media and ensure that alumni annual fund content is accurate, compelling, and up-to-date. Collaborate with colleagues in Alumni Relations to create cohesive alumni communications. Contribute articles for Alumni Relations publications.
• Work with Director to develop annual fund branding.
• Analyze and evaluate appeals and communications calendar and recommend and implement enhancements and changes to help Annual Giving Programs meet growth goals in dollars and donors.
• Provide leadership and strategy for days of giving and other special campaigns with a focus on social media and emerging technologies.
• Provide support including coordination of appeals, collateral materials, etc.
• Update website for Annual Giving Programs.

Solicitations/Fundraising

• Work with annual giving programs team to develop successful campaigns for all schools.
• Solicit alumni by phone, email, and in person particularly during busy times including calendar and fiscal year end.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two to three years proven communications and marketing experience required (annual fund or fundraising background a plus).
• Persuasive writing skills required.
• Demonstrated organizational and analytical skills required. Position also requires a high level of attention to detail.
• Experience developing, writing, and producing fundraising solicitations.
• Proven ability to work independently and within a team environment with experience in working successfully to achieve common goals through cooperation, collaboration and the sharing of information.
• Successful track record of flexibility and adapting to changes in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to represent the university and the Alumni Annual Fund in an enthusiastic and professional manner.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends periodically as needed.
• Experience in dealing appropriately with confidential information.

Preferred Education/Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to generate and implement creative solutions to appeal opportunities preferred.
• Experience in managing appeal production or other project management experience working with and through external vendors preferred.
• Experience working with computers, website and email content management systems, and constituent databases preferred.
• Experience developing and executing social media strategy preferred.
• A basic understanding of graphic design and photo editing software preferred.
• Experience developing crowd funding campaigns a plus. Please include 3-4 samples of your work with your application, including at least one sample of an appeal and one sample of graphic design work (within the creative for an appeal or standalone).