Director of Annual Giving

Description

At Mercersburg, we value diversity and believe in cultivating a safe community where everyone is encouraged to be their authentic selves.

Job Classification: Full time, 12 month, Exempt, Staff

Reports to:        Chief Advancement Officer

The Director of Annual Giving works closely with the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and other key members of the Advancement and Alumni Relations team to lead and set the strategic direction for the Mercersburg Annual Fund.  Their primary responsibilities include managing a team of Annual Fund staff members, supporting Annual Fund volunteers and soliciting leadership gifts to the Annual Fund. 

Job Duties:

• Leads a team to meet Mercersburg’s Annual Fund goals. 
• Creates, monitors, and evaluates the annual plan, as well as short- and long-term goals. 
• Provides status reports for internal and external distribution.
• Directs all staff activity relating to the Mercersburg Annual Fund.
• Develops direct mail, social media and digital solicitation plans.
• Secures annual gifts through personal solicitation and pledge fulfillment outreach.
• Assigns potential donors to appropriate staff and volunteer solicitors.
• Helps manage the solicitation and outreach efforts for the William Mann Irvine Society (WMIS), the school’s annual leadership giving society.
• Provides direction and assistance for special programs such as phonathons, reunions, senior class gift, Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC), etc.
• Recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who demonstrate the interest, ability and commitment to advance the Mercersburg Annual Fund including; White Key giving committee, the Giving Committee of the Alumni Council, Class Agents, and Reunion Chairs.
• With support from the Advancement Communications Manager, creates all marketing materials, appeal letters, online solicitations, pledge reminders, acknowledgement letters, etc.
• Works closely with Donor Relations to implement appropriate donor recognition programs for young alumni and leadership donors to the Mercersburg Annual Fund. 
• Writes for school publications to promote  Annual Fund priorities.
• Supports activities, initiatives and events sponsored by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations as needed to help reach the office goals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• A disciplined, results-oriented, self-starter, demonstrating initiative and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Persuasive communication skills in writing, in-person, and over the telephone.
• Outstanding listening and analytical skills.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to be knowledgeable and articulate in stating Mercersburg Academy’s mission and vision, and the case for support of its priorities.
• Ability to appropriately manage highly confidential information.
• A creative, good-natured member of a team with demonstrated collaborative and proactive manners.
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five years of demonstrated success as a program manager and fundraiser. Transferable experiences will be considered but preference will be given to candidates whose success in fundraising has been in project-oriented work and/or the education community.
• The energy and ability to travel regularly.  Flexibility to work weekends, early mornings and evenings at various campus special events.
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, internet, email, scheduling, and database software programs.)

Physical Demands:

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Environment: Work is performed in an indoor/office environment where the noise level ranges from quiet to moderate. Work will also be performed outside an office environment to visit prospective students and families.  These environments will vary.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to walk, stand, and sit for prolonged periods of time; to travel in all modes of transportation; sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate office machinery; and to verbally communicate to exchange information with both English-speaking and non-English speaking contacts.
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. 

This description is intended to provide a general scope of the position. This job description may include other duties as assigned by the manager.