Director of Annual Giving

Posted on 03/15/2021

Hood College

Frederick, MD

Description

Under the supervision of the Director of Individual Giving, the Director of Annual Giving is responsible for the management and continuous development and assessment of the annual giving program; the design and implementation of all efforts aimed at securing annual unrestricted budget-relieving gifts; management of a program that utilizes creative direct mail, electronic communication, social networking and telemarketing as well as in-person solicitations; and effective management of volunteers from Hood’s alumni and parent constituencies. The Director works with the Director of Individual Giving to set goals as they pertain to annual support; works closely with advancement staff and prospect managers to identify and solicit major annual giving prospects; oversees the budget for the Annual Giving department; and analyzes the cost effectiveness and yield of individual program components. The Director collaborates with the Alumni Engagement staff to strengthen the connection between the College and its alumni that results in ongoing financial support. The Director supervises the Assistant Director of Annual Giving. The Director must be available to work some weekends, evenings and travel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Annual Giving Program Administration (30%)

  • Responsible for leading, designing and implementing an annual giving operating plan.
  • Assess program and recommend strategic revision reflecting the College’s strategic plan.
  • Segments all College constituents into appropriate groups for annual giving solicitation and determines, in collaboration with colleagues and with prospect research, ask amounts.
  • Manages the annual giving cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship cycle.
  • Leads the coordination of a yearly solicitation schedule; ensure that the plan is implemented appropriately throughout the fiscal year, and changes made as appropriate.
  • Works closely with the assigned staff member to ensure the success of the Phone-a-thon program, and guides decisions regarding caller priorities and effective use of the student calling program.
  • Communicates with the Director of Individual Giving about the status of the annual fund; including financial reports, participation totals and percentages, program development, various appeal and solicitation programs, staffing issues and any other pertinent information.
  • In addition to periodic updates and tracking, completes two comprehensive assessments of progress during the fiscal year – one at the halfway point of the fiscal year and one at the conclusion of the fiscal year.
  • Organize planning meetings for annual giving.
  • Lead weekly meetings with annual giving staff and others as appropriate to monitor near-term plans and goals.
  • Coordinate with other campus offices to accurately share the “Hood” story.

Reunion Giving (25%)

  • Working closely with the Director of Alumni Constituent Engagement, develops and maintains a program of class giving that focuses on reunion class years.
  • Directs the overall reunion giving strategy and provides leadership and guidance to prospect managers who are assigned to work with individual classes.
  • Works with staff to establish class goals, both financial and participation, using a combination of wealth screening data and information collected through personal visits.
  • Benchmarks each class’ reunion efforts and monitors progress throughout the fiscal year, making modifications to the solicitation strategies as needed.

Prospect Management (20%)

  • Conducts an ongoing analysis of the annual giving program through research and review of donors and constituents.
  • Intersperses discovery and qualification visits into travel plans geared to prospects.
  • Identifies particular giving patterns to assist with the determination of appropriate segments for focused solicitations, publications, and invitations.
  • Supports a comprehensive management program that cultivates donors to increasingly higher levels of support.
  • Meets on a regular basis with prospect managers and advancement services staff to develop and maintain an integrated donor cultivation and stewardship plan.
  • Manages a portfolio of high-end Hood Fund prospects capable of making yearly gifts in the $2,000 to $25,000 range.
  • Works closely with prospect managers to identify prospects with leadership Hood Fund or Major Gift potential.
  • Maintains a working knowledge of major gifts and planned giving, as well as an awareness of, and familiarity with, restricted gift opportunities.
  • Travels to solicit gifts and to thank/cultivate donors.

Print/Electronic Communication (15%)

  • Works closely with the Office of Marketing and Communications to design printed collateral including informational brochures, specialized stationery, magazine advertisements, and other visual pieces for inspiring annual support among a broad range of constituents.
  • Determines a schedule of electronic solicitations, including emails and videos, and works with the marketing and communications staff to produce and distribute.
  • Provides short articles, philanthropic quotes, and other related pieces for inclusion in, the College’s electronic newsletter.

Stewardship (10%)

  • Drafts and hand-signs acknowledgement letters for all gifts to the annual funds; works closely with gift entry officer to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
  • In conjunction with the Director of Individual Giving, advancement services staff and marketing and communications staff, serves as a production coordinator of the annual Honor Roll of Donors.
  • Determines and implements President’s Club recognition and stewardship plan.
  • Works with alumni engagement staff and prospect managers to ensure donors are appropriately recognized with invitations to special VIP events, etc.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Carries out supervisory responsibilities as they may occur in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily as well as possess a valid driver’s license. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required with Master’s preferred; five years of fundraising experience, preferably in a liberal arts setting, with a demonstrated successful track record of annual fund program design and implementation, personal solicitation, and effective engagement of volunteers. Management/supervisory experience a plus. Strong data-analysis skills, including benchmarking individual solicitation efforts as well as tracking overall progress towards monetary and participation goals established by the senior administration and trustees. Ability to synthesize and effectively use wealth-screening data in order to prioritize prospects and set reasonable goals and expectations for the annual giving team. Well-organized with an outstanding ability to multitask, plan, establish and achieve goals, and manage time and personnel effectively. Ability to lead within a collaborative, team-oriented environment that includes colleagues in the immediate division as well as cross-campus departments. Motivated, results-oriented team leader who will foster annual giving activity within a moves management system that supports the identification and development of prospects.

Technology Skills

Strong computer proficiency in a variety of internet applications and social networking platforms; proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite products (such as Word, MapPoint, Excel & PowerPoint); and the ability to learn new applications quickly including organization-wide information systems and department-specific software applications (Millennium, Researcher’s Edge). Ability to maintain a working knowledge of reporting procedures related to Advancement Services.

Language Skills

Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal skills. Strong writing skills with the ability to write clearly and succinctly for contact reports, donor proposals, acknowledgement letters, solicitations, promotional materials and all written matter related to annual giving. Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals and periodicals, financial reports, procedures, governmental regulations and legal documents. Ability to effectively present information and knowledgeably respond to questions from donors, alumni, top management, and members of the board of trustees.

Mathematical Skills

Proficient with statistical and financial concepts. Must have the ability to apply those concepts to tracking, projections, goal setting and interpreting reports. Must be able to draw conclusions from reports and make cost effective decisions regarding programs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or scheduled form. Ability to hypothesize, draws conclusions, and support conclusions. Ability to work in theoretical arena and apply logic as appropriate.

Hood College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, religion, or age in recruitment, admission and access to, or treatment, or employment in its programs, services, benefits, or activities as required by applicable laws including Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and students. Inquiries about discrimination or reasonable accommodation should be referred to the Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator at Alumnae Hall, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD. 21701 (AD 312), (301) 696-3592. For complete information on Hood College’s nondiscrimination policy, please visit http://www.hood.edu/non-discrimination/.

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