Position Summary: 

The Director of Annual Giving & Donor Relations oversees all aspects of Fort Lewis College’s annual giving and stewardship efforts. They will lead efforts for increasing annual giving revenue (i.e., gifts up to $10,000), broadening the base of support, and strengthening the major gift pipeline. They will also develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated stewardship and donor relations program fostering a culture of appreciation, recognition, accountability and ongoing engagement of FLC’s donors, and strengthening philanthropic support of the college.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
• At least 4 years of experience in project management specific to fundraising, marketing/sales, communication/public relations, or a related field;
• Strong organizational skills to effectively manage multiple and varied projects and meet deadlines;
• Proven ability to use data to properly inform decision making;
• Proven use of metrics to improve donor/customer base and/or gift count;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Commitment to Fort Lewis College’s mission and values

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Working knowledge of annual giving strategies;
• Experience working with donor relations/stewardship programs;
• Experience developing written materials for multiple, diverse audiences;
• Demonstrated experience in budget management including negotiating third party partnerships;
• Experience with fundraising databases, preferably Blackbaud products;
• Current with donor trends; using publications and fundraising networking programs
• Experience working professionally with social media and email marketing;
• Direct experience in higher education fundraising.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Enhance use of digital marketing (e.g., email, websites, social media) and analytics to improve segmentation and messaging to create a personal and positive experience for donors to easily give and be stewarded;
• Prioritize, design, and coordinate annual giving fundraising strategies that engage donors through one-to-many marketing channels driving projects such as: o develop strong solicitation, engagement, and stewardship programs for key constituencies (e.g., alumni, parents, employees, friends) as well as key affinity groups;
  • develop and execute on annual giving solicitation plans for the year, coordinating a communications calendar with overall FLC events and communication plans;
  • coordinate crowdfunding campaigns;
  • support individual units’ annual giving solicitation plans;
  • lead and coordinate FLC Giving Day.
• Provide strategic leadership and coordination of the College’s donor communication and stewardship programs driving projects such as:
  • annual impact report for donors;
  • launch and manage individual FLC Foundation fund report for donors;
  • support donor recognition event coordination;
  • prioritize and submit philanthropic impact story ideas to feature in digital and print publications in coordination with the Marketing & Communications Department;
  • donor communication preference tracking;
  • evaluate and coordinate revisions to the existing donor acknowledgment process to ensure appropriate, consistent and equitable acknowledgment of gifts at all levels;
• Develop systems to facilitate success for annual giving and stewardship efforts:
  • partner with the Marketing & Communications Department to ensure FLC’s brand and overall marketing and communications strategy is used consistently and effectively;
  • collaborate with college leadership to develop and monitor standards for consistent and appropriate recognition of donors to buildings and other physical spaces;
  • plan and monitor budget expenditures for annual giving and stewardship efforts to effectively allocate resources;
  • identify effective partner vendors for annual giving and stewardship opportunities and help negotiate contracts;
  • collaborate closely with the Manager of Advancement Services;
  • partner with the Director of Planned Giving to grow awareness of and participation in the Soaring Hawk legacy society;
  • hire, train, and supervise student workers;
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities;
• Maintain knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508;
• Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).
• Fast paced and fluid work environment
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $62,000 to $67,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Process:

A complete application packet includes:

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position o Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion. “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?”
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Application materials received by December 5, 2021, will receive full consideration. Position will remain open until filled.

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts, and pass a background check.

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.