Under the general direction of the Director, Philanthropic Engagement Communications, the Assistant Director, Next Generation and Affinity Giving leads all planning, strategy and implementation of philanthropic initiatives for recent alumni and student giving, as well as crowdfunding campaigns, organized around affinity and shared interest, in conjunction with advancement leaders across campus as well as volunteer student and/or alumni ambassadors. He/she will supervise the Philanthropic Engagement Coordinator who over sees all Syracuse Connects (Engagement Center) program initiatives including managing, hiring, training, and promoting student ambassadors while also overseeing the vendor relationship. They will work with the annual giving team to determine how best to incorporate student, recent alumni and affinity audiences into the four annual giving campaigns as well as smaller efforts throughout the year. He/she will also suggest strategy and timing around when a crowdfunding platform or student engagement center should be employed.

Responsibilities:

• Develops segmentation and marketing strategies to maximize donors and dollars for the Fund for Syracuse, with a specific focus on educating students and recent alumni on positive behaviors related to philanthropy and engagement and driving affinity-based giving. This includes creating plans and applying resources to acquire new donors, renew previous donors, and move donors toward higher levels of participation.
• Plan and execute strategy for student philanthropy and recent alumni giving in partnership with the Assistant Director Student & Young Alumni Engagement to strengthen participation among these audiences Co-manage Class Act, the graduating class giving campaign, providing resources to partners and planning communications and events throughout the year. Coordinate how these efforts fit into the larger Philanthropic Engagement communications calendar. Work with Syracuse Connects, the Forever Orange Student Alumni Council, Generation Orange Leadership Council, and other student and recent graduate ambassadors to encourage giving and peer-to-peer outreach. Contribute to the development of stewardship strategies which would be meaningful to these audiences.
• Supervises and trains the Philanthropic Engagement Coordinator and conducts annual review; helps the Coordinator with staffing for student managers and recruiting, hiring, and training up to eighty student ’Cuse Engagement Ambassadors (CEAs) each semester; guides the Coordinator in order to increase their knowledge of the Fund for Syracuse and Development in support of their specific responsibilities; continually monitors Syracuse Connects team performance to ensure excellence and professionalism; and insures that all call sessions are properly supervised and staffed. Communicate overall Philanthropic Engagement strategies and fully incorporate them into Syracuse Connects by helping edit calling scripts and strategizing how to incorporate texting and video into the cadence of each shift.
• Provide strategy and direction for campaigns that support affinity and shared interest (including support of student organizations). Manage the annual crowdfunding campaigns known as CuseFunders. Plan and execute 12+ crowdfunding campaigns per year in conjunction with student organizations/assistant deans/executive directors of schools, colleges, units, and volunteer leaders to bring in an estimated $500,000 in revenue annually. Develop annual strategies around affinity and shared interest challenges using available platform. Work with the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, Events and Affinity, to align messaging around engagement and philanthropy among alumni shared interest groups. Recruit volunteers and ambassadors to participate in targeted giving opportunities and provide toolkit/training in for these groups.
• Works collaboratively with Philanthropic Engagement Team and other program directors and staff to promote a team environment, and to ensure the overall success for the Office of Philanthropic Engagement.
• Other duties assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Two or more years of fundraising, marketing or closely related experience.
• One or more years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of telemarketing software preferred, such as Ruffalo Noel Levitz CampusCall.
• Knowledge and recent use of crowdfunding platforms preferred, such as GiveCampus, Kickstarter, etc.
• Proficiency in Windows-based applications, specifically Microsoft Office’s suite of word processing, spreadsheet, and database management tools.

Job Specific Qualifications:

• Ease in learning new systems and interrupting analytic reports for action-oriented results.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, creativity, and demonstrated success in managing multiple projects.
• Accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
• Time management and prioritization skills are needed for daily operations.
• Expertise in communications from writing to analytics as they relate to RIO and engagement success.
• Experience with e-mail programs, and web applications.
• Experience with handling and racking of program budgets.
• Fundraising experience, particularly in phonathon solicitation, written appeal, and crowdfunding space in a higher education environment.