What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Annual Giving position at Colorado Mesa University?
ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY
Director of Annual Giving
ABOUT THIS POSITION
Summary:
Reporting to the Foundation Vice President of Development, The Director of Annual Giving is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive annual giving program that supports the university’s fundraising goals. This position plays a critical role in cultivating and soliciting annual gifts from alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends, with an emphasis on increasing participation, revenue, and donor retention. The Director will utilizing data-driven strategies to enhance donor engagement and support the university’s mission and vision.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Program Strategy
• Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive annual giving strategy, targeting key constituencies such as alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the university.
• Set annual fundraising goals, monitor performance, and adjust strategies to meet and exceed objectives.
• Utilize best practices and innovative approaches to inspire ongoing donor engagement and maximize annual revenue.
• Oversee the Communications and Marketing Liaison to coordinate a communications strategy for all campaigns and the CMU Foundation.
• Work closely with senior leadership to align annual giving efforts with the broader development and university priorities.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the university, including alumni relations, major gifts, athletic development director, marketing/communications, and student affairs, to align annual giving efforts with institutional goals.
Donor Engagement & Cultivation
• Develop and implement targeted solicitation strategies for different donor segments, including giving societies, monthly donors, and leadership donors.
• Oversee donor stewardship programs to ensure donors feel appreciated, valued, and engaged in the university community.
• Manage the university’s direct mail, digital marketing, crowdfunding campaigns, and phone efforts to maximize participation and revenue.
• Leverage social media, email marketing, and other digital platforms to engage and solicit donors effectively.
• Produce the Annual Impact Report showcasing how funding has positively impacted students, faculty and the broader institution and demonstrate accountability to donors and stakeholders through measurable outcomes.
• Advocate for public higher education, in general, and Colorado Mesa University in particular.
• Direct sensitive inquiries to development leadership as appropriate.
• Represents the Foundation at community events to support the University and cultivate donors.
Data-Driven Decision Making
In collaboration with the Donor Development Research Director:
• Utilize donor data and analytics to assess program performance, identify trends, optimize fundraising efforts and build strategies for moving donors to higher giving levels.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive donor database to track giving history, preferences, and engagement activities.
• Prepare regular reports for senior leadership, board members, and other stakeholders on program performance and outcomes.
Budget Management & Fund Allocation
• Develop and manage the annual giving program budget, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to maximize impact.
• Oversee the financial tracking of annual giving revenue, ensuring accuracy and accountability.
Minimum Qualifications Required:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of three, and a preferred five years’ experience in fundraising, public relations, customer service, or sales.
• Experience in writing and editing required.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess the following:
• Higher education or non-profit experience highly desired.
• Sensitivity to long-term relationship building and stewardship with donors and potential donors.
• Ability to advocate for public higher education and Colorado Mesa University in particular.
• A high standard of professional integrity.
• Exceptional written and communication skills, strategic thinking, and experience in gift negotiation and solicitation.
• Desire to apply fundraising techniques with imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Ability to think strategically and implement tactical plans to achieve goals.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Proficiency with MS Office and CRM software or databases.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of donors, students, parents, the Board of Directors and the general public.
• Strategic and analytical reasoning skills.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Travel and some weekend and evening work is required. Flexibility in hours is required to accommodate outreach to donors and other stakeholders.
Salary: $65,000.00 - 85,000.00. Commensurate with education and experience. Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!
Department: Colorado Mesa University
Employment Type: Administrative
HOW TO APPLY
Application Deadline: To ensure full consideration, complete applications must be received by 4/27/2025.
How to Apply: Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information. In addition, please be prepared to upload a:
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Include the name, phone number, email address and relationship of at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying for. Professional references should include at least one current or former supervisor. Professional reference may also include current or former employers, colleagues or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge and can recommend you for employment.
• Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document. Official transcripts will be required upon hire)
Direct Inquiries Contact: Robin Brown, robinbrown@coloradomesa.edu
ABOUT COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY
A comprehensive university in Grand Junction, Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its technical college, CMU Tech, and via online offerings.
Colorado Mesa University serves as the primary intellectual and cultural center of western Colorado and promotes the exchange of ideas that are of regional, national, and international importance. Founded in 1925, it is a dynamic university enrolling 10,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels.
At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they will encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.
The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you will not have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.
Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.
Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history. Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility. Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and the type of accommodation needed.
Salary : $65,000 - $85,000
