Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Posted on 05/07/2021

Elon University

Elon, NC

General Purpose of Position:

The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Annual Giving. S/he is key member of a team responsible for achieving key giving metrics and will initiate and lead a diverse set of direct appeal and renewal solicitation projects. The Assistant Director will serve as a primary liaison with assigned campus partners and volunteer groups to ensure their annual giving needs are met. Additionally, s/he will serve as a main point of contact internally for managing data, developing necessary segmentation lists and monitoring key performance indicators. The Assistant Director supervises a professional staff member responsible for the daily operations of a Student Outreach Program (Phonathon) and is also responsible for its outcomes and continuity. The Assistant Director will have the opportunity to help oversee the implementation of a significant new investment in technology being made in the Student Outreach Program.

Summary of Position: 

Over the last decade, Elon has dedicated resources to build robust alumni and parent engagement and annual fundraising programs, helping to foster participation rates that now keep pace with top national universities. Given Elon’s increasingly young alumni base, that translates from less than 4,000 alumni donors to 8,000 annually. Total undesignated and designated annual giving has grown from $4.5 million to $8.3 million during that time. With capacity built and a culture of engagement and philanthropy well-rooted, Elon’s Office of Annual Giving seeks an Assistant Director to join a growing team committed to increasing fundraising and participation goals to advance Elon’s new ten-year strategic plan, Boldly Elon.

The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Annual Giving. S/he is a vital member of a team responsible for achieving key giving metrics and will initiate and lead a diverse set of direct appeal and renewal solicitation projects. The Assistant Director will serve as a primary liaison with assigned campus partners and volunteer groups to ensure their annual giving needs are met. Additionally, s/he will serve as a main point of contact internally for managing data, developing necessary segmentation lists and monitoring key performance indicators. This position will supervise giving staff focused on engaging alumni as partners, advocates and investors at Elon. The Assistant Director also supervises a professional staff member responsible for the daily operations of a Student Outreach Program (Phonathon) and is also responsible for its outcomes and continuity. The Assistant Director will have the opportunity to help oversee the implementation of a significant new investment in technology being made in the Student Outreach Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Coordinate direct appeal solicitations to alumni, parents and friends in partnership with the Director and in close coordination with key departmental and divisional leaders.
  • Develop the necessary mailing and email lists for various and sometimes complex annual giving communications; oversee the production and delivery of solicitations by working closely with Advancement Communications and the Office of University Communications.
  • Regularly maintain reporting dashboards and develop and prepare analytical reports for various initiatives as needed.
  • Lead, manage and motivate coordinator of annual giving working with the student outreach program, while providing guidance and support to assure their success in achieving goals. Assist with tactics, management, and results analysis of the program.
  • In partnership with Director, oversee and drive strategy to cultivate thousands of alumni through portfolios (assigned to alumni engagement officers) to engage them as partners, advocates and investors.
  • Oversee, provide leadership, and manage duties shared by a professional staff member and student staff members related customer service, internal procedures, project mailing and fulfillment, etc.
  • Serve as a primary liaison with assigned campus partners and volunteer groups to ensure their annual giving goals are achieved.
  • Develop and manage efforts aimed at retaining annual donors such as first-time donor packets, recurring gifts, and 1889 Society stewardship.
  • Assist with department goal-setting and development of annual giving priorities and operating plans.
  • Assist Elon with events including Family Weekend, Homecoming & Reunion weekend, Evenings for Elon, Elon Day and Commencement.
  • Serve as an active solicitor to engage alumni as partners, advocates and investors. This may involve occasional travel, cultivation, and solicitation of up to 50 alumni prospects.
  • Enhance professional development through attendance at appropriate conferences and/or conversations with colleagues at other institutions.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements: 

Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred.

Special Skills or Experience: 

  • Experience in higher education or non-profit fundraising preferred;
  • Ability to handle deadlines effectively and work independently. Able to manage concurrent activities, be flexible and adapt to changing priorities.
  • Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with an ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities to meet challenging timelines and achieve annual goals.
  • Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with colleagues of various responsibility areas in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communications skills, especially in drafting appeal and fundraising marketing language.
  • Knowledge of how to use complex databases and technology to track, engage and market to alumni. Raiser’s Edge knowledge is a plus.
  • Experience interpreting data and communicating results is required.
  • Candidates who are eager to play a leadership role in expanding Elon’s donor base and building a best-in-class multi-channel annual giving and mass marketing operation are ideal.

Additional Information: 

Position requires the ability to and experience with making presentations to various groups of constituencies. Additionally, the position requires the ability to meet face to face with all levels of constituents and ability to handle constituent complaints. The position requires the ability to work effectively as a team member, work on multiple projects, possess strong leadership, organization and customer relations skills.

To apply for this job please visit elon.peopleadmin.com.