Associate Director of the Willamette Annual Fund, Leadership Pipeline Management

Posted on 05/18/2021

Willamette University

Salem, OR

Position Summary:

This position oversees the engagement of a large pool of leadership annual giving supporters for the University and its Colleges, Schools, and Units. The Willamette Annual Fund focuses on unrestricted support for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. This position works closely with the Major Gifts Program and division-wide with colleagues to set goals for all Willamette Annual Giving Program leadership giving societies and to integrate the solicitation and stewardship of leadership annual giving and the giving societies into the division’s activities. The position is also responsible for management of several important fundraising committees that secure leadership society gifts. This responsibility includes: identifying new volunteer leader‐ ship, increasing the diversity of the volunteer base, and ensuring the success of their fundraising efforts.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Description: 

The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following functions, which are not listed in any particular order of:

Leadership Annual Fund Prospect Pool Management and Oversight (50%)

  • At the start of the fiscal year, conduct a feasibility analysis, including the identification of past, current, and potential donors at the $1,000+ level, to set goals for donors at each level of membership for the Willamette Annual Fund to grow and strengthen giving at all levels.
  • Throughout the year, perform a range of data monitoring for annual fund solicitations to inform and improve the solicitation process, including: review of open pledges and pledge schedules for those in annual fund solicitation pool; monitoring of overlapping Campaign/Major Gifts solicitations planned for those in annual fund solicitation pool; comparison of committee and solicitation assignment lists with legacy admissions decisions to determine appropriate follow-up; ongoing data integrity tests to identify and resolve entry errors; and preparation of monthly reports on solicitation status. Document processes as needed.
  • Throughout the year, ensure that donors are being appropriately thanked and stewarded to support overall membership and donor retention goals.
  • At the close of the fiscal year, conduct the Annual Review process which includes identification of prospects to be tracked at the annual fund level, and coordination with the Major Gifts Program officers to determine the Annual Fund solicitation plan for each tracked prospect in the upcoming fiscal year. Ensure all potential major gifts prospects identified are handed to research for further qualification.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate specific strategies to increase membership, including approaches for recognition to ensure strong retention, along with effective marketing of societies for upgrades and acquisition. Work proactively with partners to promote giving societies.

Volunteer Management (40%)

  • Work in close collaboration with Alumni and Parent Engagement and other internal and external partners to identify new volunteers, increasing the diversity of the volunteer base and ensuring the success of giving society and parent fundraising efforts.
  • Provide overall management to the volunteer committees that focus on personal solicitation of annual fund gifts of $1,000 or more core components of the strategy to increase Willamette Annual Fund giving by soliciting annual fund gifts at the $1,000 level and higher. This would include the development committee of the Parent’s Leadership Council and identification of a core group of volunteer leaders willing to solicit peers. Develop and implement a strategy to increase committee membership to sufficiently cover needed outreach to prospective donors. Provide orientation and ongoing training for Chairs as needed. Work closely with Chairs to maximize their experience as leaders; meaningfully engage them in the recruitment process, committee conference calls, and their solicitation of committee members. Provide frequent in‐ formation updates to Chairs on committee progress, assignment results, and other relevant news regarding committee members and assignments. Provide necessary support and materials for use by Chairs in conference calls, trustee meetings, and events.
  • Maximize the volunteer experience of committee members by engaging them effectively in the assignment process, providing one-on-one support and training as they navigate their assignments and questions that arise from their prospects. Provide frequent updates to committee members on overall progress to date and new developments involving their assigned prospects. Provide meaningful, personalized effective strategies for each assignment.
  • Complete additional personal solicitations as needed, including individual donor follow-up resulting from committee efforts. Perform ongoing statistical analysis to inform overall strategy, areas for enhancement, and the establishment and monitoring of goals for the committee. Develop new ways to measure progress, including additional ways to capture Willamette Annual Giving Program–specific information as a result of volunteer activity. Coordinate with Major Gifts Program officers about committee solicitations of major gift level prospects.
  • Serve as the point person for the 50th Reunion Campaign to ensure the committee reaches their full potential as a fundraising volunteer organization. This includes evaluation of class giving patterns and establishing goals; identification, recruitment, training, and support of campaign volunteers; analysis and evaluation of various campaign efforts. Update databases to monitor, discern and track the appropriate activities. Personally contact reunion alumni to ask for campaign support. Partner with Major Gifts staff to set goals, maintain solicitation status, and adjust strategies for high-level reunion donors.

Personal Solicitations (10%)

  • Personally solicit top-level annual giving prospects. Set annual activity goals based on the review of the gift table and the number of individuals who are appropriate for solicitation by the Director. Document information in the database to assure proper recording and tracking of results.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Four or more years of experience in development or related field or six or more years in development or related field in lieu of bachelor’s degree.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, with demonstrated experience in personally soliciting gifts.
  • Proven record of leadership, management, and supervisory skills.
  • Proven experience in recruiting, managing, training, leading, and stewarding volunteer fundraising committees to reach their full potential and to achieve fundraising goals.
  • A supportive and accessible management style and a strong commitment to personal and professional development, with a proven track record motivating, training, and managing a staff with diverse skills and experience.
  • Proven ability to guide a successful broad-based messaging platform including a mix of print, electronic, and social media in support of an annual giving program.
  • Demonstrated ability to work successfully and effectively with a wide range of constituents and manage complex relationship; proven collaboration and teamwork.
  • Experience in personally soliciting gifts.
  • Computer Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite possess strong Excel skills including formulas pivot tables, and vlookups.
  • Applicants should have a thorough understanding of Willamette and of the value of a private liberal arts education. A strong candidate will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and an exceptional ability to analyze data. Strong initiative, creativity, high energy-level, and demonstrated ability to lead and motivate people are essential.
  • Superior communication skills with the ability to connect to a variety of audiences; clarity, crispness, and persuasiveness in written and oral communications.
  • Outstanding initiatives, work organization, and time management skills.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to plan ahead, think strategically, and manage multiple projects and deadlines; ability to remain calm and level-headed under pressure.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment with a mix of faculty, parents, alumni, and staff colleagues.
  • Knowledge of modern data management practices and techniques, including models of analysis that lead to effective decision making on behalf of the program.
  • Ability to adapt and quickly learn new technical concepts and skills, communicate technical concepts and ideas, and analyze data and respond strategically.
  • Conversant in relevant and contemporary technologies and how they can be used in support of communicating and marketing direct mail and electronic solicitation programs, including increasing participation and measuring and managing results.
  • Able to maintain confidential information, navigate relationships with finesse, and work to the highest ethical standards as outlined by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
  • Attendance and punctuality, sense of humor, and a positive team-oriented attitude are highly valued.
  • Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for signature events and activities including Alumni Reunion Weekend.
  • Must possess a valid Oregon driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.
  • Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of higher education development and fundraising with an understanding of individual giving programs and detailed understanding of annual fundraising programs, such as direct mail, phonathon, and personal solicitation programs strong preferred.

Typical Work Schedule:

Business hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Typical work schedule is flexible once a pattern of performance is established.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

Typical work is performed indoors in a normal work environment.

Salary Range: $48,000 – $53,500

Advancement Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:

Advancement is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive work environment that values diversity. We engage and work with our constituents, our potential employees, and our colleagues in an inclusive and respectful manner to cultivate and support a diverse community. We work hard to ensure that our organizational culture affirms the value of each member and acknowledges the differences in our lived realities through ongoing learning and change.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received until the position is filled.

All University positions require that candidates submit to a criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the position.

You will need to upload the following two documents as part of your application materials in the “My Experience” section labeled Resume:

  • Cover letter addressing the required/desired qualifications and presenting any other applicant characteristics which deserve emphasis,
  • Current Resume

​Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

To apply for this job please visit willamette.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com.