The director of the Annual Fund is responsible for the management and ongoing development of a dynamic annual giving program to increase unrestricted giving from alumni, parents, and friends of the College. The annual giving program includes digital channels such as email, social media, and text, as well as more traditional direct mail and phone call programs. Alumni volunteer groups such as class agents and ambassadors and Reunion Committees provide essential peer-to-peer outreach. 

Responsibilities

• Maintain a portfolio of primarily Annual Fund prospects. Solicit prospects through direct communication such as calls and Zoom meetings to cultivate relationships and secure yearly gifts, prioritizing Reunion alumni and other key leadership donors.
• Lead the planning process that shapes strategies and action plans for the effective use of Give Day and other special crowdfunding campaigns, direct mail, phone/digital outreach, personal solicitations, volunteers, and staff in reaching dollar goals and achieving projected percentages of alumni participation.
• Provide leadership for an annual giving team of two full-time employees and fully coordinate the Annual Fund campaign effort within the larger advancement team.
• Work closely with advancement staff to identify and solicit major annual giving prospects and continue to feed the major gifts pipeline.
• Assist with major alumni events such as WildCat Weekend and Reunion.
• Continually evaluate the effectiveness of the annual giving program through the creation and use of database reports and queries, and implement new strategies as needed to ensure that annual goals are met in a dynamic philanthropic landscape.

Competencies

• Ability to speak and write persuasively, strong editing skills, and the ability to articulate the mission of the College.
• Use technologies such as an email marketing platform, virtual meeting software, database, Canva, and the Microsoft suite of applications as well as Google.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, ability to meet deadlines, and goal- and detail-oriented.
• Be able to lead a team and be a member of one.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises the assistant director of the Annual Fund

Work Environment

The position typically works in an office environment. Must be available to work occasional weekends and evenings, and must prioritize work/office presence during critical giving times (e.g. calendar and fiscal year-end, Give Day, Reunion).

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Education and Experience

• One to two years of experience in a fundraising organization is preferred, but those with transferable skills in a similar organization will be considered.