The Assistant/Associate Director of Annual Giving, DX2 works as part of a high-performing, donor-centered team responsible for achieving Vassar’s Annual Giving goal of $10.4 million.

Using a suite of technological tools, the Assistant/Associate Director is responsible for developing personal relationships with an assigned portfolio of rated alum annual giving prospects that will result in renewed and/or increased financial support to the college. Using email, text, LinkedIn, social media, cloud platforms, video conferencing and phone, and potentially personal visits, the Assistant/Associate Director researches and stewards donors, provides information that deepens their understanding and connection to the college, and solicits them for annual gifts. This position will report to the Director of Annual Giving, and will collaborate with the other DX Major Gifts teammates.

The Assistant/Associate Director of Annual Giving will focus on managing a portfolio that includes personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for higher level annual gift prospects and donors where a high priority will be placed on identifying those prospects who can move to the leadership gift pipeline. The Associate Director will develop strategies and work collaboratively with colleagues in Planned and Leadership Giving, Alumni Engagement, Parent Giving, Communications and Advancement Services and other campus partners to build the alum donor base while increasing per capita alum giving by leveraging the profile and structure of the upcoming campaign.

Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of 1,000 prospective major gift annual giving donors. Perform 50+digital outbound touch points per day.
• Execute monthly and quarterly touchpoint cadences across portfolio to ensure consistent and relevant donor communication using AI-generated donor summaries and prospect elevation technology.
• Demonstrate to donors the impact of their giving. Provide information on college developments and programs relative to their interests. Share upcoming opportunities to attend events, volunteer, participate in Vassar clubs, Alumnae/i Association activities/services, or otherwise deepen their engagement with the university.
• Solicit donors to make new gifts, renew or upgrade. Promote philanthropic opportunities, such as college giving priorities, crowdfunding projects, Founder’s Day.
• Develop and maintain a broad knowledge of the college, such as admissions, athletics, the arts, etc. Develop a network of contacts throughout the college to access additional information. Build out a “resource hub” of relevant content to share with donors.
• Collaborate effectively with other members of the Annual Giving, Advancement Communications, etc. as part of a comprehensive multi-channel marketing program, including direct mail, email, social media and telefund channels.
• Identify and troubleshoot challenges to donors’ on-line giving and engagement experience and work with appropriate colleagues to address.
• Identify potential leadership gift prospects and share with LGO/Individual Giving colleagues, as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Three or more years of professional experience in fundraising or marketing; higher education fundraising experience preferred. Education and experience equivalencies will be considered.
• Experience in Major/Leadership Gifts preferred.
• Adept at using social media, text, phone and video conferencing.
• Strategic, hardworking, and able to work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills as well as collaboration and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong work ethic and readiness to engage alumnae/i and friends at a high velocity in a personalized manner.
• Skilled at navigating and using databases, familiarity with CRM systems and entering contact reports.

Must have the ability to:

• Use multiple cloud-based platforms simultaneously to gain information.
• Create strong professional relationships across mediums, especially via video conferencing.
• Provide excellent donor support.
• Comfortably solicit donors.
• Articulate a strong and compelling case for support.
• Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking, while applying sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity
• Handle interpersonal relationships thoughtfully, and empathetically, including the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.
• Be fluent in the “menu” of engagement and philanthropic opportunities across the college (regional alumnae/i events, on campus events, mentorship and volunteer opportunities, crowdfunding campaigns, Vassar fundraising priorities) to inform conversations and solicitations.