Director of Annual Giving Operations

Transylvania University, a private liberal arts college, seeks an experienced, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as its next Director of Annual Giving Operations. Located in the heart of downtown Lexington, Kentucky, Transylvania University features a personalized approach to undergraduate education through 46 liberal arts majors. Founded in 1780, it is the 16th oldest institution of higher learning in the country, with approximately 1,000 students. 

The Director of Annual Giving Operations is responsible for successfully directing, organizing, managing, and evaluating the annual giving program, focusing on unrestricted and restricted operating initiatives.  The position also develops and manages young alumni donor engagement, collaborates with the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement on social media strategies and content, and assists the Director of Leadership Annual Giving in donor pipeline development.

A Bachelor’s Degree is required.  Previous fundraising experience is preferred but not required.  Excellent written and oral communication skills, creativity and close attention to detail are necessary.  Must be able to project a strong positive image of the University and motivate people.  Attendance at evening/weekend activities is required. 

Essential Duties:

Annual Giving 

• Strategically create and direct solicitation efforts for annual (“The Transylvania Fund”) and restricted operating elements of the development program, including monitoring progress and achieving goals.
• Lead all appeal efforts through a multi-faceted approach, including mail, email, text, social media, videos, events, giving days, volunteer coordination, student engagement and philanthropy, and giving societies. 
• Determine the best modes of creation, production, and mailing of these efforts. Work with the Communications and Marketing Office on direct mail creation for some appeals, while writing others yourself, or working with the advancement office writer to compose them.
• Work to raise the number and percentage of donors supporting Transylvania through personal gifts, particularly alumni. 
• Develop, lead, and assess Transylvania’s annual day of giving, Together for Transy. This includes creating a website, using third-party software to create and operate in real-time progress toward multiple goals, promoting the day both on and off campus, and myriad other important and creative factors of Transy’s single largest giving day.

Student Led Philanthropy

• Plan and set goals and evaluative methods for the student phonathon solicitation program. Strategically align calling efforts with best practices and constant productivity assessment. Hire, train, and supervise student phonathon managers for both fall and spring phonathons. File caller timesheets for payroll in a timely and effective manner. Supervise managers in conducting semesterly caller job reviews. Handle all calling logistics.
• Create and oversee the annual Senior Challenge donor program through recruitment of chairs and committee members and goal establishment. Assist student co-chairs with logistical and informational needs and needed communications to the senior class. Attend all Senior Challenge fundraising events.

Alumni Engagement

• Work with the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement to ensure timely and coordinated donor relations and development-focused social media posts. Decide upon recipient targets and messaging for development posts.
• Create and execute Reunion Giving appeals and solicitation plans with input on timing and messaging from the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement.
• Develop and execute new initiatives for young alumni donor engagement programs to enhance alumni participation rate.

General

• Oversee and monitor Annual Giving budgets to maximize the return on investment.
• Analyze data trends to inform the strategic planning of annual fundraising efforts.
• Show initiative, careful attention to detail, a high level of organization, and the ability to meet deadlines, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Learn to use the CRM database to work with the Director of Advancement Services on ensuring correct appeal list pulls and other reports that reflect giving progress.

Secondary Duties:

• Support the Advancement Office as needed to help fulfill the University's mission.
• Assist with the execution of Alumni Weekend activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Transylvania University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and recognizes the value of historically excluded and underrepresented backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that enrich the university’s environment for colleagues and students alike. We are committed to enhancing the diversity of the university community and encourage all who are interested to apply.

To begin the application process, submit your cover letter to the attention of Kara Covert, VP, Advancement, stating your qualifications and interest and clicking the "Apply For This Position" button below. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.  Preference will be given to candidates who apply by March 28, 2025.