Director Annual Giving

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Team Leadership and Management (65%)

• Provide visionary leadership to the Annual Giving team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Oversee recruitment, training, mentoring, and performance management for a team of annual giving professionals.
• Ensure the team's goals and objectives are aligned with the broader fundraising and university advancement strategies.
• Cultivate a positive and results-driven work environment that promotes growth, development, and professional advancement for team members.

Class-based Fundraising Campaigns and Volunteer Management (15%)

• Lead and manage the 50th Reunion Class fundraising initiative, including developing solicitation strategies and overseeing volunteer engagement.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with volunteers, ensuring they are fully equipped and motivated to support the annual giving program.
• Track progress, set benchmarks, and ensure key milestones are met for reunion-based fundraising efforts.

Annual Strategic Planning and Goal Achievement (15%)

• Develop and execute a comprehensive, data-driven annual strategic plan focused on achieving specific goals related to undergraduate donor participation and overall giving (both restricted and unrestricted).
• Monitor fundraising metrics and adjust strategies to meet or exceed annual participation and revenue targets.
• Leverage analysis of past giving patterns, demographic trends, and donor behavior to create targeted solicitation strategies.
• Work closely with the Associate Vice President of Development to ensure alignment with the overall fundraising goals of the university and integrate annual giving efforts into the larger comprehensive campaign.

Additional Duties as Assigned (5%)

• Participate in other ad-hoc projects or initiatives related to fundraising and university advancement as requested by the Associate Vice President of Development.

CONTACTS:

• Advancement Staff (including but not limited to): Annual Giving, Gift Planning, Parent Giving, Athletic Giving, Law Giving, Principal Giving, Prospect Research, Advancement Systems, Alumni Relations, Donor Relations, FCGR, and Advancement Communications.
• President's Staff, Deans, and other key internal partners to coordinate and streamline donor engagement (e.g., Director of Schools and Units)
• Current and prospective alumni, parents, and friends of the university

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises staff of seven (7) including class giving, operations, and administrative coordinator

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Minimal physical effort required.
• Minimal exposure to physical risk.
• Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with extended hours as necessary.
• Seasonal, evening, and weekend work will be periodically required throughout the year (e.g. Giving Day, Reunion, etc.)
• External travel is not expected but could be occasional depending on the need.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, skills & ability:

• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and coaching skills, along with the ability to work with diverse internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, demonstrate an understanding of the ethical principles associated with working in development, and to use discretion in interactions with members of the University of Richmond community.
• Proficiency in using data to drive strategy and improve campaign effectiveness.
• Experience leading direct mail, email, phone, and digital marketing campaigns.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team environment with a high degree of collegiality; honesty and transparency are two other important abilities.
• Strong written, communication, organizational, and analytical skills as well as a sense of humor and the ability to have fun.
• Demonstrated record of soliciting and closing philanthropic gifts.
• Basic understanding of event planning and execution.

• Skill in the use of Microsoft office and fund-raising software applications, including database management (knowledge of BBCRM and Give Campus is preferred).

Education & experience:

• A bachelor's degree is required; masters or advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of 6-10 years of experience in development with a demonstrated track record of success.
• Minimum 3-5 years of management experience.
• Experience in a higher education setting is preferred