Position Description

The Director of Annual Giving reports to the Executive Director of Development.  This individual is responsible for the strategic execution and management of a comprehensive annual giving program designed to increase unrestricted gifts, serve as a foundation for major and planned gifts, support the overall development and campaign goals of the College, and ensure that Millsaps remains competitive among peers as measured externally by dollars raised and percentage participation.

This position is full-time equivalent with evening and weekend requirements.

Responsibilities

• Establish goals for all programs within the Annual Giving Campaign and build strategic and tactical plans for achieving those goals.
• Plan and implement Campaign for Annual Leadership Gifts ($1,000 – $25,000) consisting of direct mail, phone, and face-to-face solicitation by staff and volunteers.
• Manage a portfolio of alumni, parent, and friend Presidents Society donors / prospects ($1,000+).
• Develop coordinated Annual Fund solicitation and stewardship strategies and materials involving direct mail, email, telephone contacts, personal visits, social media communication, and volunteer engagement – all focused on establishing a sustainable tradition of annual support.
• Work effectively with the Associate Vice President for Development Operations (AVP) to develop a strategic communications and stewardship plan for the Annual Fund.
• Work effectively with AVP and Manager of Development Information Systems (MDIS) to create a marketing segmentation plan for soliciting donors/prospects as well as systemizing benchmarking and data analysis reports.
• Work effectively with Major Gift Officers to build strategies for securing leadership annual fund gifts and moving annual fund donors to higher levels.
• Work effectively with the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations to recruit class agents, implement reunion year solicitation plans, and increase alumni participation through Presidents Society stewardship events.
• Create, develop, and sustain an effective volunteer component within the annual giving program including, but not limited to, reunion year giving, class agents, senior class gifts, and social media ambassadors.
• Direct and supervise the Annual Fund yearly budget.
• Assist with Institutional Advancement and campus wide events as necessary.
• Other duties assigned by the Executive Director of Development.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of three years successful experience in fundraising or related fields, preferably annual giving programs.
• Proven experience in face-to-face gift solicitations with track record of success.
• Goal-oriented with ability to provide direction, supervision, and motivation to staff and volunteers.
• Strong oral / written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with a demonstrated record of completing projects and meeting deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to successfully manage multi-functional areas.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Strong decision-making skills, ability to work with confidential information; tact and discretion are essential.
• Ability to travel as needed.