Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Development

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Develop and implement strategies to ensure the success and growth of a $1M+ comprehensive annual giving program as an integral component of Heidelberg University’s overall institutional advancement program. This includes outreach efforts to alumni and friends, trustees, faculty, staff, parents, current students, corporations, and businesses.

Supervision Received:

Reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement, Marketing, Alumni, and Community Relations (AMACR).

Supervision Exercised:

The Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Development will supervise student employees of the Phonathon Engagement Center.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Annual Giving:

• Represents Heidelberg University in the successful preparation, coordination, execution, and evaluation of the annual giving program.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards alumni, parents, and friends of the University in support of the annual fund through direct mail solicitations, e-mail solicitations, social media, crowdfunding, telephone contact, and management of a small portfolio of prospects to achieve annual goals.
• Develops new segmentation and marketing strategies to increase donor count and dollars raised.
• Leads and achieves a successful annual Day of Giving campaign.
• Partners with Athletics to execute the Berg Days of Summer fundraising campaign.
• Manages the annual #GivingTuesday Campaign for special initiatives each November by partnering with selected campus offices.
• Manages the Phonathon Engagement Center efforts by hiring, training, coaching, and motivating student employees, including student managers.
• Oversees and enforces the Campus Fundraising Policy by approving or denying fundraising requests made by students, faculty, and staff. Review the policy on an annual basis to make sure it remains relevant and appropriate.
• Enhances student philanthropy education and student fundraising efforts with special focus given to the senior class gift. Creatively expand outreach to undergraduates and recent graduates on the importance of philanthropic engagement.

Alumni Development:

• Develops an Alumni Development Annual Growth Plan.
• Engages with designated reunion classes annually to support Alumni Weekend reunion activities and fundraising results.
• Provides weekly reporting and benchmarking, including analysis of giving information and research into peer institutions to examine and track the success of our plan. Compile and evaluate the outcome of all solicitations with data from previous years.
• Works on special initiatives in support of the Heidelberg Strategic Growth Action Plan Campaign, in addition to future campaigns.
• Utilizes systems and software (Ellucian Banner, Argos, and Crescendo) to track and cultivate donors and prospects as well as generate mailing lists.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President of AMACR.

Core Values & Personal Attributes:

• Core values – models leadership values of integrity, honesty, humility, transparency, respectfulness, diversity, caring, loyalty and accountability in all work.
• Intellectual dynamism – demonstrates mental sharpness, capability and agility.
• Self-knowledge – gains insight from successes and mistakes.
• Personal learning – seeks feedback and counsel to improve managerial behavior.
• Peer relationships – encourages collaboration and cooperation across the organization.
• Teamwork – performs most effectively as a hard-working member of a team.
• Constituency focus – completes work to meet constituencies’ expectations and requirements.
• Community focus – brings a spirit of enthusiasm and energy to the campus and town.

Desired Attributes & Qualifications:

Education and Professional Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree; and,
• Two (2) to four (4) years of successful experience in a college or university development operation

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Five (5) or more years successful experience in annual fundraising for higher education; and,
• Experience working with an integrated database like Banner or other CRM.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of Advancement work, including alumni/volunteer management, fundraising and campaign strategies.
• Skilled in annual unrestricted or restricted giving.
• Must demonstrate analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Creative thinker and problem solver.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional motivation and creativity.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to relate to diverse cross-sections of individuals.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Ability to travel as needed or required, work evenings and weekends as needed.

Tools & Equipment Used: Knowledge of operation and use of various office equipment including, but not limited to: personal computer, including spreadsheet and word processing software, integrated database software, fax machine, copier, telephone, scanner, and printers. Employees in this position must have a valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use arms, hands and fingers to operate and manipulate equipment generally found in an office setting. The employee may be frequently required to be mobile, communicate, and hear. The employee may occasionally be subject to a variety of outdoor environmental conditions, including heat, cold, and precipitation. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Mental demands include occasional, varied degrees of stress while performing job duties.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office setting, and educational facilities, including sports and entertainment venues, all of which may be indoor or outdoor. The noise level in the work environment will range from moderately quiet to occasionally loud.