The Assistant Director of Annual Giving is responsible for creating and implementing engagement opportunities and fundraising initiatives for class and reunion years. The assistant director is focused on cultivating and growing Knox’s alumni engagement and philanthropic support – donors and volunteers. In addition, the assistant director will identify and partner with alumni volunteers in cultivating class-specific and reunion communications and fundraising initiatives to maximize engagement and philanthropy with these cohorts. 

Essential Functions:

• Develop a new, generationally relevant, and meaningful class and reunion giving effort for milestone classes each year to educate, cultivate and enhance philanthropic support to Knox.
• Oversee the reunion class volunteer structure and program to assist with initiatives noted above, in coordination with advancement work at-large. Cultivate relationships with former advancement ambassadors and develop and maintain a pipeline of class and reunion volunteers.
• Manage all aspects of reunion fundraising, including recruiting committee members, giving them direct support, and helping develop a clear marketing and solicitation plan. Work with the director of annual giving, vice president for advancement, director of engagement and associate director of advancement communications to create annual reunion communication calendar and solicitation plans.
• Develop in-person and virtual engagement initiatives for volunteer engagement and training for reunion committee members.
• Develop and execute a strategic plan to secure philanthropic participation-level gifts from Knox’s milestone classes each year with the goal of increasing participation rates using data from past reunions. Stay on top of emerging best practices and technology and giving trends.
• Engage, solicit, and steward a portfolio of milestone alumni who could be or are leadership donors, including members of Knox’s other giving societies and in coordination with advancement staff.
• Meet established visit goals of 10-12 per month, in person or virtual.
• Partner with major gift officers on reunion year alumni with the potential to make major gifts over time, or are part of families managed by major gift or gift planning teams.
• Liaison between alumni volunteers and engagement team as they plan their class reunions.  Collaborate with the engagement team on special events including Homecoming, Hall of Fame or other affinity related opportunities for reunion alumni.
• Oversee any reunion-specific crowdfunding projects and provide direction, when necessary.
• Assist with Homecoming, Founders Day, and Reunion Weekend activities as needed.
• Assist the Office of Advancement with projects as asked.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Prior experience working with and managing complex relationships, and with proven collaboration and teamwork skills in a diverse community to leverage activities, initiatives, and programs for multiple purposes
• An entrepreneurial spirit and a positive attitude
• An appreciation for higher education and advancement work

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Demonstrated experience in building relationships and making connections.
• Superb verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, highly collaborative environment
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact required.
• Computer skills must include high competence in Microsoft Office software, social media, and database/CRM maintenance
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, establish priorities, and work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community
• Willingness and ability to attend events outside of business hours required
• Travel required

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1 year of relevant experience working with clients, volunteers and/or managing relationships.