Assistant Director of Annual Giving

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving is responsible for the design, planning, development, and execution of a comprehensive and effective annual fund program that builds a long-term pipeline of support for Hiram College's programs and initiatives. The director develops creative ways to connect with all donors and oversees all annual solicitations, including direct mail, events, and social media while also educating donors on the impact of annual giving. This person will also work to ensure effective administration of annual fund gifts through acknowledgment letters, recognition of donors where appropriate, and the delivery of any necessary reports and communications, such as pledge reminders, to appropriate constituents. The Assistant Director of Annual Giving works in tandem with members of the alumni relations and major gifts teams to achieve overall fundraising, stewardship, and alumni engagement goals. The Assistant Director of Annual Giving is responsible for forecasting, monitoring, and reporting on fundraising attainment and progress toward goals throughout the fiscal year.

Key Accountabilities:

• Drive programs and campaigns to increase giving participation of alumni, friends, and students to provide a growing base of donors to support the College.
• Utilize technology and social media to create and implement innovative annual giving programs to connect with current donors, establish new donors, and increase annual giving.
• Develop plans and programs for new fundraising initiatives, such as a day of giving, young alumni program, etc. and work collaboratively with Alumni Relations to grow efforts that build a culture of philanthropy and encourage giving among students and young alumni.
• Segment constituencies based on recency and frequency of giving, graduation year, affinity, and other data points, then create communications strategies to effectively solicit those segments.
• Create and manage a calendar/schedule of multidimensional appeals that leverage a variety of media (e.g., electronic solicitation, direct mail appeals, face-to-face solicitations, events) to communicate with potential and current donors.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data from multiple sources to drive continuously improved campaign performance and develop measurable goals and metrics to monitor the impact of annual giving activities on the success of donor acquisition and retention.
• Establish and maintain tracking and testing methods for all solicitation initiatives and adjust strategies based on the results of data analysis.
• Monitor industry trend reports and benchmarking analyses to identify opportunities for growth or efficiency and to identify viable new channels for fundraising.
• Develop and execute leadership annual giving programs to increase donor referrals for the major gift pipeline and develop a strategic plan for engagement, effective solicitation, and growth in the number of leadership-level donors.
• Build relationships with constituents and personally solicits an assigned pool of prospects as appropriate. Some prospect and event travel will be required.
• Recruit reunion volunteers to facilitate peer-to-peer fundraising outreach and co-manage them with the Director of Alumni Relations to drive attendance at Alumni Weekend.
• Build a robust 50th reunion program that leverages this milestone reunion for stretch annual gifts and creates openings for major gift conversations.
• Working closely with the Marketing and Media Relations team, provide direction on messaging and guidance on all leadership annual giving communications.
• Communicate fundraising plans and results to the Associate Vice President of Development, Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, President of the College, and other advisory or governing boards as appropriate.
• Contributes to the overall success of Development and Alumni Relations by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Position Requirements

Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent verbal & written communication skills.
• Demonstrated comfort & confidence level with faculty, senior administrators, prospects and donors; diplomacy and professionalism are essential.
• Sense of initiative, sound judgment, confidence, maturity and an ability to work both independently and as a contributing member of a team.
• Demonstrated attention to detail combined with abilities to organize, prioritize, solve problems and negotiate effectively.
• Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
• Ability to maintain donor confidentiality.

Experience

• At least two years of full-time professional work experience in fund development, preferably in higher education, is required.
• Experience writing for fundraising appeals and using social media to leverage effectiveness of fundraising programs.
• Proven track record managing an annual fundraising campaign.

Education

• Bachelor's degree required

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Application Process
Qualified candidates are encouraged to send a letter of application, resume, and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references to [email protected] or apply through the provided link. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Hiram College is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.