Job Summary:

The mission of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to foster an exceptional culture of philanthropy by engaging supporters, volunteers, learners, and educators in significant relationships to secure the resources necessary for the university to fulfill its educational mission.

As part of DAR, the Manager, Annual Fund Programs is a full-time, benefits-eligible administrative staff position that reports to the Senior Assistant Director of Annual Fund Programs. The mission of the Annual Fund department is to secure annual budget relief and designated funds through the cultivation and solicitation of alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and the community.

Job Duties:

S/he reports directly to the Senior Assistant Director, Annual Fund Programs, and works closely to manage and collaborate in the implementation of Annual Fund programs such as Reunion, Young Alumni, Campus Community, Student Philanthropy, among others. This position will be required to closely interact with the Annual Fund’s mass marketing and communication as well as personal solicitation efforts. S/he will work under the direction of the Reunion Giving Associate for the management of the fundraising efforts for alumni classes that are in reunion years.

Fundraising:

• Solicit approximately 100 annual gifts through face-to-face, telephone, and online solicitations each fiscal year to generate unrestricted and designated support and assess constituent financial capacity and inclination to support the University (basic donor qualification and gift solicitation).
• Travel to keep a pace of 35-50 individual donor visits each fiscal year. These visits will be primarily face-to-face solicitations with alumni. Travel should focus on 80% face-to-face solicitation and 20% discovery and stewardship visits.
• Manage, in coordination with research staff and other division fundraising personnel, the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of top annual fund prospects. Work creatively, thoughtfully, and strategically to ask and secure increased gifts from an assigned portfolio of Annual Fund donors and to develop a prospect pipeline of alumni to transition to Leadership Gifts and Gift Planning departments.

Programmatic:

• Under the leadership of the Reunion Giving Associate, support class-based fundraising efforts, which may include identification and recruitment of giving committee chairs and committee members, as well as development and tracking of specific funding initiatives, communications, and goals. Coordinate with staff, including those dedicated specifically to Reunion Giving or Alumni Relations.
• As needed, participate in the establishment of goals, tracking, and management of the fundraising efforts for several reunion classes in coordination with the Reunion Giving Associate. This work will be done with an objective of aiding the Office of the Annual Fund in achieving established alumni giving participation rate goals and increasing gift levels.
• Communicate frequently and clearly with fundraising-focused volunteers and provide support and guidance for their fundraising efforts, including the development and communication of role descriptions.
• Develop and manage fundraising efforts targeting faculty, staff, and retirees toward a goal of maximizing gift amounts and participation rates.
• Assist in managing and executing the Senior Gift Drive, student philanthropy efforts, young alumni donor efforts, and campus partner fundraising initiatives.
• As the Annual Fund does strategic planning and identifies priorities, the Manager may be asked to serve as a liaison with one or more college(s) or school(s), regional business groups, volunteer groups, community engagement programs, designated funds (including related volunteer efforts), and/or one or more alumni affinity groups to maximize gift amounts and participation rate.

General:

• Assist in ensuring that all efforts communicate consistent messaging to pre-defined audiences and are done in collaboration with Annual Fund Communications/Outreach.
• Maintain up-to-date information in the database on significant prospect calls and visits, solicitations, and volunteer assignments and evaluations (including rating recommendations, prospect interests, career and family changes, etc.)
• Develop proficiency with the database query tool.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to promote a team environment and to ensure the overall success of all programs of the Office of the Annual Fund and DAR.
• As needed, support the Senior Assistant Director with budget management and development related to Annual Fund programs.
• Attend appropriate donor and constituent events both on and off campus.
• Participate in University events such as Homecoming, Scholarship Day, Family Weekend, and Reunion Weekend, which are university-wide effort to be supported by all Development and Alumni Relations staff members.
• Participate in division-wide and university-wide committees and project teams to advance priority projects of the University such as staff searches.
• Operate within defined budget.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• One or more years of successful fundraising experience, or equivalent sales/marketing experience, public relations, or non-profit management
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interface professionally and tailor communications with the academic community, colleagues, parents, alumni, and diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with database software, email, calendar software, and Microsoft Office, (Word, Excel, and Power Point).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential in successfully fulfilling the needs of this position.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings dependent on work load or events sponsored by DAR.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license along with the energy and ability to travel frequently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Experience in recruiting and managing volunteers

DAR Professional Guidelines:

All Development and Alumni Relations staff are required to abide by the ethical guidelines set forth in the ethics statements of the Counsel for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the Association of Prospect Researchers for Advancement (APRA), and the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE). In addition, all Development and Alumni Relations staff are required to master the Bucknell University / Development and Alumni Relations policies on confidentiality, database usage, and privacy.

Professional Development:

All Development and Alumni Relations staff are expected to participate in and contribute to their own professional growth and that of their Bucknell colleagues by participating in trainings, conferences, and other learning opportunities as student and leader when appropriate.

Development and Alumni Relations Event Support:

All Development and Alumni Relations staff members are expected to support the division’s signature events each year, including Reunion Weekend, Homecoming Weekend, Family Weekend, Scholarship Day, Employer Expo and other events as requested.

It is very important that these events be fully staffed, as defined by the event planners. During these signature events, staff members will be asked to work significant portions of the weekend. Staff members should be prepared to work on Friday evening, Saturday (day and evening) and Sunday morning, if it is deemed appropriate by the event planners. Staff members should also be prepared to assist with event preparations in the days leading up to the event, by volunteering to help with specific tasks, as requested by the event planners.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusiveness:

All Development and Alumni Relations staff members are expected to demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

Bucknell University provides equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status or disability in admissions, employment and in all of its educational programs and activities.

Bucknell University believes that students learn best in a diverse, inclusive community and is therefore committed to academic excellence through diversity in its faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who are committed to Bucknell’s efforts to create a climate that fosters the growth and development of a diverse student body, and we welcome applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Bucknell University is a private, highly ranked, national liberal arts institution that also offers strong professional programs in engineering, business, education, and music. Located in Central Pennsylvania along the Susquehanna River, Bucknell is nestled in the Borough of Lewisburg, an architectural gem that has been ranked as one of America’s best small towns.

Bucknell is a NCAA Division I (FCS) and Patriot League member institution, that sponsors 27 varsity athletics programs.