What are the responsibilities and job description for the DIRECTOR, ANNUAL GIVING position at Ithaca College?

Job Description

Position Summary :

Ithaca College is seeking an innovative and results-driven Director for Annual Giving to lead a comprehensive, strategic annual giving program focused on gifts under $25,000. The Director will be working within the larger Division of Advancement, under the strategic guidance of the AVP of Development. The Director will be an innovative fundraiser and skilled project manager that explores and applies creative strategies to educate the IC community on the joy of philanthropy, creating lifelong philanthropic habits of constituents at entry-level and mid-level giving. The Director will be focused on meeting yearly metrics in addition to strengthening the culture of philanthropy, increasing leadership-level annual donations, and growing the major donor pipeline at Ithaca College.

This role prioritizes growing donor participation through acquisition, renewal, and reactivation strategies to support Ithaca College's mission and strategic goals. By designing and implementing targeted solicitation and engagement efforts, the Director will build a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support and achieve ambitious giving goals for Ithaca College. The Director will utilize data-driven insights to regularly analyze campaign performance, test innovative approaches, and adjust strategies to achieve optimal results.

The role requires independent judgment and collaboration within a team to align projects with organizational goals, develop direct marketing strategies, and utilize business analytics to drive philanthropic growth. This role is responsible for overseeing budgeting and planning for the annual giving program and manages the Phonathon Coordinator.

Job Responsibilities :

Campaign and Donor Management

Under the strategic guidance of the AVP of Development, design, implement, maintain and manage all planning, execution, and evaluation of a complex annual giving program, including setting goals, objectives, and timelines.
Research and implement best practices for donor acquisition, retention, upgrade, and stewardship while following all College branding and style guidelines.
Lead all special appeals & solicitations such as Giving Day, Giving Tuesday, Calendar Year End, Fiscal Year End, Senior Class Gift, Reunion Class Giving
Develop and execute an Athletics focused annual giving strategy.
Plan, implement and analyze multi-channel direct marketing campaigns, including email, phone, social media, and direct mail, to engage alumni, parents and friends.
Collaborate closely with the AVP of Development and Division of Marketing & Communications to develop campaigns, on customizing appeals, crowdfunding projects, digital ads, and other annual giving deliverables with compelling content and imagery, ensuring all messaging aligns with college standards and priorities, and all solicitations are centered around the audience. Create innovative concepts and messages that resonate with Ithaca College's diverse audience to help meet and exceed annual goals.

Staff Leadership

Exhibit sound judgment in managing multiple requests and competing priorities and timing throughout the year. Manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Integrate solicitations and special campaigns / events within the larger alumni engagement communications and events calendar.

Perform general administrative functions to support annual giving fundraising activities such as scheduling, planning, and coordinating meetings, solicitation proofing, segment review periods, activities, and events.

Other duties as assigned.

Manage activities and support the growth of the Phonathon Coordinator. Contribute to the management of the student call center and maintain data integrity.

Coordinate with fellow Division partners to oversee delegation of work.

Provide guidance, support, and professional development opportunities for team members.

Budget

Leads the oversight of the operations and budget for the annual giving program.

Manage relationships with key external vendors and leverage their expertise to enhance program success. Coordinate contract assessments and renewals with AVP of Development and Advancement Operations team.

Thoughtfully select channels and evaluate costs associated with delivery.

Analytics and Reporting

Track and report data trends, donor analytics and segmentation, utilizing these models to grow annual giving; measure the effectiveness of campaigns, and adjust strategies accordingly.

Track, document and provide detailed reports regularly on key performance indicators and appeal performance.

Utilize CRM to track, record, and report on annual giving campaign effectiveness and monitor progress to goals.

IC Division of Advancement

Collaborate across teams by partnering with colleagues across Advancement and college units to align strategies and maximize impact.

Partner with fellow alumni engagement and annual giving team members on key events (some fundraising focused) including but not limited to Reunion Weekend (reunion giving), Parent and Family Weekend, Homecoming, Giving Day, and Commencements.

Make donor referrals to gift officers as appropriate.

Work closely with Donor Relations on thoughtful and timely stewardship for annual giving donors each year.

Work closely with the Advancement Operations staff, following proper data governance and procedures, to submit timely and accurate data requests for all data needs surrounding annual giving, including but not limited to : communication plans, data pulls, activity entry, appeal code creation, gift processing and more.

Work closely with other departments, including Alumni Relations, Athletics and Marking & Communications to coordinate messaging and outreach efforts.

Serve as a point of contact for annual giving for colleagues within the larger department and other campus partners (including academic areas, athletics, auxiliary, etc.).

Regularly and clearly articulate the strategy, procedures, and analysis of annual giving to the advancement team, and manage partnerships for specific department fundraising objectives within the larger college fundraising priorities.

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelor's degree, and 3 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Two to three years of progressive experience in annual giving, or equivalent experience demonstrating comparable skills and abilities around project or program

management.

Preferred Qualifications :

Expertise in direct marketing strategies, particularly in higher education or nonprofit settings.

Experience with systems such as Blackbaud CRM, RNL or Raiser's Edge.

Strong data analysis skills and a track record of implementing successful data-driven strategies.

A collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Creativity and innovation in campaign development and donor engagement.

Approachable, professional demeanor with the demonstrated ability to handle stressful environments during busy periods.

Demonstrated ability to be an effective project manager that can plan, organize, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously, adapt to changing priorities, effectively move projects along, and stay on track for tight deadlines.

Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal, oral, written skills with a strong customer / alumni service orientation.

Team player with the ability to work in a cooperative / dynamic environment with multiple internal personas (e.g. with administrators, staff, faculty, and students) and external community members (e.g. business leaders, donors and volunteers).

Demonstrated high standard of professional ethics, honesty and the ability to work with the confidential nature of donor information and college matters.

Demonstrated ability to take and apply constructive feedback, learn and apply new knowledge.

Demonstrated ability to be a strategic thinker and innovative problem solver.

Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.

Ability to manage complex issues creatively and effectively.

Demonstrated attention to detail, strong time management skills and ability to work independently with little supervision.

This position is 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Application Instructions :

Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or humanresources@ithaca.edu.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Hiring Range :

67,000 to $72,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including :

Healthcare including vision and dental

Generous Paid Time Off Policies

403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution

Flexible Work Plans

Educational Benefits

Career-Enhancing Trainings

For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit

In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.

About Us

At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.

We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.

We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.

When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.

Nestled in the heart of New York State's scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger's as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.

To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at

Salary : $67,000 - $72,000

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