What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Annual Giving position at William Peace University?
Position Information
Position Title:
Director of Annual Giving
Posting Number:
WPU0055417
University Information:
WPU provides a culture that fosters an energized team environment, builds on our strengths, promotes creativity and innovation, and encourages respect and open communication. We value our faculty and staff. We know they are important and vital to the growth of our university and culture. Senior leadership is personally dedicated to the professional growth and development of each employee. We want to help you build your career, while ensuring you have great work-life balance and flexibility.
We teach our students the skills needed for ethical citizenship, not just in the classroom, but by example. We believe in giving back to our community, and our employees take pride in working at William Peace University.
We teach our students the skills needed for ethical citizenship, not just in the classroom, but by example. We believe in giving back to our community, and our employees take pride in working at William Peace University.
Department:
Office of Advancement
Purpose of Department:
The Office of Advancement at William Peace University exists to connect alumni and friends to advance the mission of William Peace University. We are responsible for alumni engagement, creating and sustaining community partnerships, friend-raising and fundraising for annual (operating), capital, and endowment campaigns. Our vision is to cultivate a philanthropic culture among our alumni and friends, fostering pathways of support for WPU to provide vibrant learning experiences for our students.
Summary of Position:
The Director of Annual Giving is a critical member of the University Advancement team, responsible for developing and managing a comprehensive annual giving program to build financial support through various donor initiatives. The Director will design and implement effective communication strategies to increase alumni participation, inspire financial contributions, and cultivate long-term donor relationships.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
Location: | On-campus, in-person with occasional remote work opportunities
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting to Vice President for Advancement, the individual holding this position is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Reporting to Vice President for Advancement, the individual holding this position is responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:
- Develop and manage a comprehensive annual giving program, using email, direct mail, phone, social media, personal visits, events, and volunteer engagement strategies.
- Support WPU and University Advancement strategies, assisting the VP for University Advancement in planning, organizing, and executing departmental goals and objectives.
- Collaborate with the Director of Advancement Services to implement measurable metrics for success and maintain an ongoing evaluation and reporting system for annual giving programs.
- Foster growth in annual giving through best practices in gift processing, data management, and donor relations.
- Oversee and manage annual giving societies, including senior class gifts, crowdfunding campaigns, and faculty/staff campaigns.
- Raise funds for select special projects in collaboration with Advancement colleagues.
- Develop and oversee the Family Council as a key engagement and fundraising initiative for parents and families of WPU students.
- Recruit and manage a volunteer leadership team to serve as advocates and donors, fostering a culture of philanthropy among families.
- Plan and execute communications, events, and giving campaigns to strengthen family engagement and support for the university.
- Collaborate with Advancement, Student Life, and other departments to align Family Council efforts with institutional priorities.
- Develop and manage student giving programs, including phone-a-thons and senior gift initiatives.
- Encourage alumni and parent involvement in recruitment and support for the University, including legacy admissions.
- Work closely with the Advancement and Alumni Relations Events Manager to develop and implement annual giving events.
- Develop and manage the annual giving budget, including requests, records, and expenditures.
- Collaborate with colleagues to identify and qualify alumni prospects for leadership gifts.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- May supervise student workers and interns, handling hiring, training, and performance evaluations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed in order to perform the duties of the position, including the ability to retain on the job learned skills and abilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with a broad range of internal and external constituents including faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, donors, volunteers, and friends of the University
- Demonstrate diplomatic, professional, courteous and perceptive interpersonal skills; display discretion in dealing with sensitive, confidential issues
- Outstanding planning and organizational skills with the ability to multi-task as well as work independently and collaboratively, managing multiple projects on deadline
- Demonstrated success in recruiting, guiding and motivating volunteers individually and in groups; ability to establish cooperative, effective working relationships
- Highly organized, self-starter with good interpersonal, problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to work with key, senior level constituents including senior level administration and donors
- Understanding of database management, gift processing, and donor relations
- Demonstrated analytical and fundraising skills with the ability to recognize opportunities, identify critical, high pay-off activities and prioritize them to attain goals
- Sound judgment and problem-solving skills
- Ability to travel and work a flexible schedule as weekend and evening work is required
- Thorough knowledge of advancement operations, with exceptional experience in managing an overall alumni relations and annual giving program
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here 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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to detect and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
- Ability to move and transport 5 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally.
- Ability to operate office equipment such as a calculator, computer, copy machine, printer, etc.
- Ability to communicate in audible tones so that others understand clearly, adjusting volume and pace as required.
- Frequently is required to move and remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
- Must be able to drive or secure transportation for occasional travel.
WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While a hybrid work schedule may be available on occasion, most work will be done on-site and in-person as business needs dictate.
- The noise level in the work environment is typical of an office environment. The position experiences regular interruptions.
Minimum Qualifications:
QUALIFICATIONS Candidates who apply within established recruitment dates are required to meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for employment. Minimum qualifications are the absolute smallest amount of experience and education that provide the ability to determine if the candidate could potentially perform well in the position. Preferred are the qualifications that enable a candidate to potentially excel in the position.
Minimum Qualifications Required
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field and five years of experience in fund raising, annual giving, marketing, or another relevant field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent project management and data analysis skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s Degree.
- Experience in a higher education environment
- Experience using CRM or donor database systems.
- Knowledge of best practices in direct mailings, digital fundraising, and donor stewardship
- Leadership/Supervisory experience
- Experience developing successful Annual Giving campaigns
Hours per week:
40 hours/12-month duration
Job Posting Date:
03/06/2025
Priority Deadline:
03/20/2025
Priority Deadline Information:
Priority consideration will be given to applications received by the Priority Date; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
