The Director oversees the central Annual Giving staff and facilitates annual giving activity for Drexel University. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Alumni & Constituent Engagement, the Director will manage operations for solicitations which align with the overarching departmental strategy of expanding and increasing philanthropy to Drexel University through meaningful engagement.

They will oversee project management, supervise annual giving staff, serve as a partner liaison to coordinate the integration of unit-based appeals, and be responsible for the execution of solicitations at the annual giving level. They will excel at project management, constituent data management and segmentation, prioritization, and managing multi-faceted programs.

The Director coordinates with internal partners, working closely with Engagement team colleagues to develop and implement cohesive solicitations and other giving opportunities. They will work directly with units to guide and assist with integrated unit-based fundraising that aligns with the central strategy across all solicitation vehicles, including by not limited to direct mail, calling, texting, email, web-based and personal outreach, and will facilitate the central activity through these solicitation vehicles. The Director will work with alumni, parents, students, employees, and Drexel community populations of donors and constituents, and will lead solicitation efforts for all constituency groups receiving annual giving appeals. They will review data, draft segmentation plans, review content and design assets, track and report on progress to goal in solicitations, and elevate constituent engagement at the University. They will oversee 24 Hours of Impact, the university’s day of giving, matching gift programs, micro-philanthropy, and both targeted and mass appeals annually. The Director will oversee the stewardship of annual donors, and will work directly with alumni and donors to build relationships and a culture of philanthropy.

In addition, the Director will actively participate in Engagement team initiatives, overarching solicitations, annual giving activities, fundraising and stewardship events, and play a key role in fundraising efforts throughout lead by Institutional Advancement.

This is a hybrid position that will work from the University City office a couple times a week.

Essential Functions

• Oversee and provide guidance to central annual giving staff.
• Execute annual giving solicitations integrated across direct mail, calling, texting, email, web-based and personal outreach.
• Increase philanthropic engagement from key members of the Drexel community, including but not limited to alumni, employees, parents, students, and friends of the University.
• Plan and manage stewardship initiatives to increase retention and improve the donor experience.
• Facilitate solicitations to increase the pipeline of leadership annual giving donors.
• Work directly with alumni and donors to cultivate and build engagement, including among alumni volunteer and reunion leadership.
• Lead the planning and execution for blitz fundraising initiatives like 24 Hours of Impact, the University’s Day of Giving, and Giving Tuesday.
• Coordinate with members of the Engagement team, IA units and Drexel partners across campus to promote annual giving efforts.
• Create, manage, and run micro-philanthropy and reunion campaigns at the annual giving level.
• Oversee the production of annual and leadership annual giving appeals from conception to completion.
• Track and share annual giving performance with the Engagement team and IA staff.
• Serve as a partner to the Prospect Research team to identify leadership annual giving potential.
• Work with the Information Services team to ensure proper tracking of annual giving activity across the university can be captured in IA’s database.
• Serve as a strategic partner within Engagement team and Institutional Advancement.
• Represent division of Institutional Advancement and Drexel University positively to internal and external constituencies

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or Equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years of successful experience in annual fundraising, preferably in higher education or healthcare.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and fundraising software/donor management tools (e.g., Advance, Honorcraft, Tableau, ThankView).
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, coupled with a strategic mindset and strong analytical abilities.
• Ability to work cooperatively as part of a team and independently on assignments.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to manipulate and segment large, complex constituent data, and to recognize and interpret trends in data.
• Exceptional organizational skills and capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of colleagues and constituencies.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment, exhibit tact, sound judgement, and navigate ambiguity effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of database fundraising software CS Advance.
• Advanced Degree.
• Planning & executing donor stewardship.
• Previous management and supervisory experience.

Location

Hybrid: Remote/University City, Philadelphia PA

Additional InformationThis position is classified as Exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from $75,200 – $112,790. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.