Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving plays an important role in shaping Elon's philanthropic future. This position leads impactful fundraising-focused volunteer groups and drives innovative peer-to-peer giving strategies. As a leader in the Office of Annual Giving, the Assistant Director supervises at least one full-time coordinator, collaborates with departmental leaders to launch creative giving initiatives, and actively cultivates relationships by managing a portfolio of alumni prospects.

Job Duties

• Fundraising -Drive class reunion giving growth with creative, results-driven fundraising strategies -Lead the expansion and implementation of impactful volunteer opportunities, including Alumni Peer Agents, Elon Day Champions/Amplifiers, Faculty & Staff Giving, and other peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives. -Collaborate with the Annual Giving team to ensure the success of Elon Day and a variety of annual giving campaigns by managing reunion volunteers, executing direct outreach, preparing compelling multi-channel communications, and contributing to other strategic efforts as needed. -Executes a strategic approach to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward our alumni as partners, advocates, and investors. Directly manage a portfolio of 25 alumni by encouraging them to stay connected, informed and involved; recruiting and expanding Elon’s professional network; and encouraging Elon Society level annual gifts ($1,500 – $25,000) leadership annual giving. Annually develop a list of goals and objectives focused primarily on visits, leadership annual gifts, dollars raised, and other strategic activities.
• Operations -Coordinate milestone class reunions by identifying, recruiting, training, and supporting reunion committee volunteers. Partner with committees to plan events, oversee marketing plans and communication timelines, and execute fundraising activities in collaboration with Elon’s Office of Alumni Engagement. -Manage and support additional volunteer roles, including Alumni Peer Agents, Elon Day Champions, Faculty & Staff Giving, and other peer-to-peer fundraising groups. Responsibilities include recruitment, training, and ongoing engagement to ensure these volunteers are empowered to maximize their impact. -Support Elon University events and projects (Move In, Commencement Week, etc.) and University Advancement events and projects (Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, regional events, Family Weekend, mailing/shipping fulfillment, etc.) -Utilize technology that includes Raisers Edge, Elon’s internal database, to run queries and exports to support reunions, annual giving fundraising initiatives, prospect management, etc. Create and maintain system of necessary reports and records on various alumni fundraising initiatives, reunion giving, and other annual giving fundraising initiatives as needed. 
• Communications and Engagement -Build strong relationships with volunteers through regular communication, ensuring they feel supported with outstanding resources for outreach efforts. Promptly address inquiries, coordinating virtual or on-site meetings as needed to enhance engagement. -Strategically oversee and manage a comprehensive communications timeline for volunteer programs, collaborating closely with colleagues in Alumni Engagement and Advancement Communications. Lead the creation and delivery of impactful volunteer toolkits, emails, web pages, social media content, and creative designs that inspire action. -Deliver exceptional customer service to all constituents, embodying professionalism, responsiveness, and a commitment to excellence with every interaction.
• Management and Budget -Inspire, guide, and support the Coordinator of Annual Giving in their work with reunions, portfolios and Phoenix Give Back (student philanthropy), fostering a high-performance environment to achieve goals. Provide strategic direction, hands-on assistance, and results-driven analysis to ensure success. -Oversee the development, growth, and continuous improvement of the university’s class reunion program and other peer-to-peer volunteer groups. Lead volunteer outreach efforts by recruiting, training, and empowering volunteers while offering robust support for staff managing reunion programs.
• Strategic Leadership -Collaborate with the Director and other divisional and departmental leaders to establish department goals, shape annual giving priorities, and develop forward-thinking operating plans that align with Elon’s mission. -Lead the reunions program with a dedicated team of annual giving staff, focusing on deepening alumni engagement, increasing philanthropic support, and encouraging participation in Homecoming & Reunion Weekend. -Oversee and advance overall peer-to-peer fundraising strategies, leveraging innovative approaches to maximize alumni involvement and philanthropic impact while staying forward-thinking to anticipate and shape future trends. -Champion Elon’s vision by promoting reimagined and new alumni volunteer programs that empower graduates and foster their lifelong connection to the university.