Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Alumni Relations & University Engagement, the Director of Annual giving will design, implement, analyze, and continuously refine the Annual Giving program. The director’s primary responsibility is the strategic execution and management of a comprehensive annual giving program, including the coordination and oversight of supporting initiatives on behalf of the San Francisco State Alumni Association and the SF State Fund.

Position Information:

Annual Giving

• The director develops a coordinated matrix of solicitation strategies involving email, direct mail, crowdfunding, etc. all focused on shaping a sustainable tradition of annual support for the SF State Fund and other colleges/departments/programs as needed.
• They will foster the growth of best practices in the supporting areas of gift processing, data management and donor relations as related to annual giving and the University as a whole. The director has a keen appreciation for the foundation of annual giving as the enabling component of successful major and gift planning programs.
• The director provides strategic direction and long-range/short-range planning for all these areas in the context of growing the annual giving program while supporting the greater alumni relations, development and campaign goals of Advancement.
• The director is responsible for setting and strategizing annual giving program goals in terms of total dollars, percentage participation, consistency of giving and average gift size and internally in terms of clean data, ease of access to data and timely donor stewardship.
• Determine annual giving goals for the SF State Fund as well as Annual Giving overall including all schools (undergraduate and graduate) and build strategic and tactical plans for achieving these goals.
• Focus on effective communication and solicitation activities within specific market segments identified as having potential for the greatest growth and partnering with Communications as needed.
• Oversee all current annual giving programs and work with the AVP to assess the need and likely success of new programs.
• Work effectively with development officers for each college to gain strong participation in annual giving and the SF State Fund and build strategies for moving donors to higher giving levels.
• Monitor and participate in a stewardship program for annual donors and first-time donors.

Communications

• Setting a fiscal year solicitation calendar and updating/sharing with all Advancement shareholders
• Drafting/Editing Solicitation Copy per Annual Giving best practices
• Requesting Data and Appeal Codes from Advancement Services
  • Formatting and uploading of said data into Raiser’s Edge NXT
  • Submitting email data to the IT Analyst for uploading into AWA
• Designing Appropriate Header/Button Graphics
  • Ensuring that graphics fall within University brand standards
• Laying out/Designing the Email Structure
• Submitting test email versions to stakeholders for approval
  • Making modifications/edits as needed
• Scheduling deployments in conjunction with other alumni communications
  • Working alongside the Director of Communications
• Quarterly Reporting Results
  • Breakdowns of donors and dollars by channel, segment, fund, month, etc.
  • Share with Advancement leadership and stakeholders

Professional Behavior

• Commitment to confidentiality, collaboration, teamwork, diversity, and inclusion.
• Displaying a professional manner and maintaining confidentiality.  Experience in anticipating possible unforeseen problems and using sound judgment.  Strong commitment to customer service, with a proactive and positive attitude toward assisting others.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to work effectively with others to accomplish a goal.
• Ability to listen carefully to and understand constituents’ needs, both internally and externally, and proactively respond to those needs in a consistent and timely manner.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Additional three-five years minimum of annual giving experience required.
• Demonstrated analytical and fund-raising skills with the ability to recognize opportunities, identify critical, high pay-off activities and prioritize them to attain goals.
• Knowledge about trends in higher education, annual giving, philanthropy, and alumni engagement.
• Understanding of database management, gift processing and donor relations.
• Ability and willingness to work some weekends and evenings required.
• Must have the ability to gain a thorough knowledge of University Advancement.
• Expertise/proficiency in all areas listed in the Essential Functions of the position description.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree
• Experience working in higher education and specifically Alumni Relations and Annual Giving.
• Ability to provide direction and motivation to others through communication, modeling appropriate behavior, optimism, and high achievement.
• Experience using Blackbaud CRM and GiveCampus or similar programs.
• Demonstrated organizational and communication skills as well as ability to work with and motivate other development professionals and volunteers.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

This position requires the successful completion of a background check.

Eligibility to Work:

Applicants must be able to provide proof of US Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, within three business days from their date of hire.

Benefits:

Threaded through our Total Compensation package is a commitment to Bridging Life’s Transitions.  SF State is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students and the customers we serve.

We offer a competitive compensation package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, 401k, Healthcare Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Vacation and Sick Leave as well as State Holidays and a dynamic Fee Waiver program, all geared towards the University’s commitment to attract, motivate and retain our employee.

Employment Requirement:

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to [email protected].

SF State University:

San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager.

Applicants may visit titleix.sfsu.edu for more information on SF State’s policy prohibiting discrimination, and how to file an online report using the procedures under Executive Order 1096 Revised. Inquiries can be directed to the campus Title IX Coordinator and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Administrator by calling (415) 338-2032 or emailing [email protected].

San Francisco State is a 100% Smoke/Vapor-Free Campus.  Smoking or Vaping of any tobacco/plant-based substance is not permitted on any University properties.

The person holding this position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect  Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code.  The successful candidate accepting this position may be required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.