Hollins is an independent, liberal arts university in Roanoke, Virginia offering undergraduate education for women and selected graduate programs for men and women. Founded in 1842 as Virginia’s oldest chartered women’s college, Hollins provides abundant opportunities to students for leadership development, research, and study abroad, and provides access to real-world internships around the globe largely supported by an extensive alumnae/i network, which has been recognized by The Princeton Review as the fifth best in the nation among private schools. The institution’s traditions are the backbone of the Hollins experience and continue to help its alumnae/i community stay connected to the university and one another.

The Position: 

The Director of the Hollins Fund is responsible for the development and management of a comprehensive, strategic, and integrated effort to build off annual donors, with a particular focus on increasing both unrestricted giving to the University and the base of alumnae/i giving. The Director of the Hollins Fund will report to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement. The Director is a senior member of the Institutional Advancement team and will have regular contact with trustees, the President, other senior administrators, faculty, staff, current students, alumnae/i leadership, parent volunteers, and other external constituents. In conjunction with other key leaders and stakeholders, the Director builds and manages a program based on best practices and utilizes a data-driven, marketinformed approach to annual giving.

The Director of the Hollins Fund manages a variety of programs. These programs include, but are not limited to, direct mail/electronic solicitations, leadership solicitations (1842), Reunion and Class Giving, faculty/staff, student giving, and parent solicitations. The Hollins Fund current goal is $3.6 million and provides critical operating support, comprised of unrestricted and restricted budget relieving funds, for university purposes. The Director will strategize, implement, and evaluate fundraising plans aimed at achieving monetary goals while maximizing alumnae/i participation. In addition, they will have a portfolio focusing on leadership gifts of $1842 or more.

Major Objectives: 

Within the first 12 to 18 months the Director of the Hollins Fund will achieve the following major objectives:

• Develop and implement a multi-channel, visionary, and data-informed annual giving program to effectively reach Hollins Fund current goal of $3.6 million.
• Strategically expand Hollins Fund’s base of support, through tailored segmentation, appeals soliciting designated funds, and increased focus on engaging and soliciting younger generations of alumnae/i.
• In partnership with alumnae/i relations, creatively engage alumnae/i and volunteers in solicitation and engagement efforts.

Responsibilities: 

The Director of the Hollins Fund will have the following primary responsibilities:

• Works with Vice President for Institutional Advancement to develop annual plans to achieve Hollins Fund goals.
• Develops, oversees, and assesses strategies for annual giving, solicitation planning, goal setting, analytical report management for Hollins to include, but not limited to, direct mail, reunion giving, class giving, graduate alumnae/i giving, annual donor recognition societies, and digital fundraising activities such as email, social media, online days of giving, and crowdfunding platform.
• Manages and develops the annual giving program to expand the donor base.
• Designs processes to utilize data and metrics to inform planning and strategy.
• Manages direct mail and virtual solicitations – this includes, but is not limited to, the 1842 Society and other leadership giving strategy solicitation.
• Manages and leads a comprehensive reunion and class giving program, including development of solicitation strategies, development of class goals/gift “pyramid.”
• In partnership with Alumnae Relations, supports the recruitment, motivation, and management of volunteers, and activities to maximize volunteer engagement.
• Oversees faculty/staff/parent/student giving program.
• Designs programs to effectively steward Hollins Fund gifts on an annual basis.
• Documents all prospect and volunteer contacts in Banner on a regular basis and responds promptly to requests for reports and information.
• Supervises Assistant Director for the Hollins Fund.
• Attends events and functions as needed. Makes presentations to departmental, alumnae/i, and constituency groups.

Qualifications: 

The ideal candidate will bring most of the following qualifications and skill sets:

• A genuine passion for liberal arts education and inclusive academic excellence at a women’s college; a commitment to – and ability to effectively communicate – the mission, vision, and values of Hollins University.
• A minimum of four years of successful fundraising experience in annual giving programs or other relevant development experience at an educational institution.
• A creative, forward-thinking, and collaborative leader with demonstrated track record of work in annual giving and working with volunteers, alumnae/i, and campus constituents.
• Demonstrated experience with data-driven strategy and informed decision making.
• Proven ability to meet financial goals and deadlines.
• Ability to analyze annual giving matrix and provide strategic decisions.
• Knowledge of current tools, techniques and strategies related to annual giving solicitation.
• Ability to mentor and manage staff and volunteers.
• Ability to listen to, and communicate effectively with, a variety of volunteers, donors, and colleagues.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and success working with diverse populations.

Compensation and Benefits: 

The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 to $95,000. Hollins offers a generous benefits package. Learn more at https://hr.press.hollins.edu/. The selected candidate must have a valid United States driver’s license with minimal violations and will be subject to credit, criminal history, and motor vehicle background checks.The annual salary range for this position is $80,000 to $95,000. Hollins offers a generous benefits package. Learn more at https://hr.press.hollins.edu/. The selected candidate must have a valid United States driver’s license with minimal violations and will be subject to credit, criminal history, and motor vehicle background checks.

Application: 

Hollins University has retained Campbell & Company to conduct this search. To be considered for this opportunity, please send a letter of interest and resume to: Maria Gikas Administrative Coordinator, Executive Search [email protected] (312) 896-8898 direct