The Digital Gift Officer develops effective multi-channel concierge-like outreach to Western Michigan University alumni that will generate significant relationships resulting in increased alumni engagement and participation in giving.

The digital gift officer is an active member of the annual giving team, growing revenue and donor numbers through solicitations, volunteer engagement, and targeted campaigns—with a special focus on pre-qualifying major gift donors ($25,000+) and upgrading gift amounts ($1000-$5000+).

Major duties

• Working with the Director and using provided resources, segmentation and multi-channel outreach—develop, manage, execute, test and measure campaigns, including strategies for Giving Tuesday, WMU Giving Day and micro-campaigns that increase donor participation and annual donations.
• Work to ensure successful promotion and engagement of campaigns on social media. In conjunction with colleagues in Advancement Communications, write and edit content for social and email communications that align with the department and university messaging, its goals and strategies. Determine and target display advertising, retargeting, and mobile geo-location to amplify and boost communication and messages to alumni.
• Builds relationships with donors and assists in coordinating strategies for the involvement of institutional partners.
• Identify and qualify donors to be moved along the major gift pipeline.
• Attains virtual visits via video conference or phone. May make in-person visits approved by the Director.
• Promotes the Annual Fund to internal and external constituents.
• Applies industry best practices to maintain an awareness of successful initiatives utilized at peer institutions and make recommendations to grow WMU’s digital fundraising program.
• Other duties assigned by Director.

 Minimum qualifications

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications, but has demonstrated the ability to embrace the concept and attitude of teamwork in a complex organization will be grandfathered until they move to another position.

Required education

• Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution.

Required experience

• One year’s relevant experience in relationship building, cold-calling, fundraising or sales.
• Demonstrated written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to articulate the importance of higher education, and understand and articulate the critical role and priorities of the University.
• Ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks to meet deadlines and goals.
• Strong self-motivation.
• Proven ability to work well as a contributing team member within a complex organization requiring collaboration, teamwork and communication.
• Demonstrated experience using relational databases and office software applications.

Required other

• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

Desired experience

• Comprehensive understanding of higher education fundraising.
• Successful track record in gift fundraising.
• Experience with Salesforce.

Physical requirements

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Working conditions

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

This description indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees in the above job. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.