Annual Gift Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Lexington, KY

Job Details

Title: Director of Annual Giving

Reports to: Associate Vice President for Advancement

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Job Summary:

Annual Giving plays an integral role within Institutional Advancement’s efforts to secure mission-driven resources to advance the vision for growth and Christ-centered formation of our students, and this position is integral to the academic and spiritual mission of the University. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement (AVP), the Director for Annual Giving (Director) will design and drive the strategy for a multi-channel, donor-centric annual giving program to increase philanthropic support to the University, with a focus on growing scholarship and current use giving. The Director will also manage a portfolio of prospective and current donors to cultivate, solicit and steward for leadership annual gifts. The Director will serve on the Vice President for Institutional Advancement’s leadership team to advance the philanthropic goals of the University. An important part of the position is supporting the ministry and mission of the University and advancing the academic excellence and spiritual vitality of our University and students. Each employee plays an important role in the development of the Christian faith in our students.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop, execute and manage a comprehensive annual giving multi-channel fundraising program to acquire, re-activate, retain and upgrade annual donors with a focus of growing our base of a support, boosting retention rates and growing the pipeline of major donors. This multifaceted approach includes mail, email, student calling, social media, videos, events, personal visits, volunteer coordination, young alumni outreach, student philanthropy, Hadassah Women’s Fellowship, and giving societies.
• Engage alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff and students to foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the University community.
• Create with the Development team a robust pipeline that builds sustainable annual giving support, feeds the major giving program, and delivers participation and revenue targets.
• Maintain a portfolio of prospective and current donors to cultivate, solicit and steward for leadership annual gifts.
• Develop and execute a strategy to increase giving by special constituencies, including but not limited to, young alumni, class gift, student philanthropy, and other affinity groups.
• Collaborate with the Alumni Office to develop an understanding of philanthropy amongst the alumni body.
• Manage student calling efforts for engagement, stewardship and fundraising.
• Create and execute donor-centered stewardship and recognition efforts for annual giving donors to show the impact of their giving.
• Assist with the management of the University’s President’s Leadership Giving and Cornerstone Societies. Develop strategies to increase membership and encourage members to move up to the next level of giving.
• Work with Advancement Services to track and report fundraising progress using specific metrics.
• Analyze results of data trends to drive strategic planning of annual giving fundraising efforts.
• Coordinate production with internal and external partners, including writers, graphic designers, videographers and the data team to ensure on-time delivery of appeals and stewardship.
• Keep abreast of best practices for annual giving and emerging technologies.
• Represent the University at various internal and external advancement related events and within the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce.
• Works collaboratively to advance and achieve Asbury’s overall strategic fundraising plans and goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, with preference in marketing, communications, or business.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in philanthropy or marketing. Experience in a higher education or independent school setting is preferred.
• Proven understanding of the principles of philanthropy, relationship management and donor stewardship techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally.
• Strong interpersonal skills essential for building and maintaining relationships with students, alumni, parents and donors of all ages.
• Knowledge of marketing and communications best practices.
• Strategic thinking and data analytical skills.
• Must be able to work independently and with teams, balance competing priorities and assignments, and collaborate effectively with colleagues.
• Proficient software skills in Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.
• Experience working with CRM databases, preferably Raiser’s Edge.

Must be intimately familiar with and thoroughly committed to the mission, vision and heritage of Asbury University possessing the ability to relate to and communicate with the various constituencies of the institution in an effective manner. Good people management, organizational and communications skills are necessary. The candidate must model the spiritual, personal, family and professional qualities described in the University’s Handbook for Community Life and should be active in the Church and committed to the fundamental doctrines of the Wesleyan, Arminian and Holiness movements.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Institutional Commitment:

Asbury University is an independent, Christian, liberal arts university in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. In the desire to be a more inclusive community, reflective of the Kingdom of God, we especially encourage applications from women and from candidates from various ethnic backgrounds. At Asbury University, employees must display a committed and dynamic Christian faith along with the ability to support the University’s theological position, lifestyle standards, and mission. Candidates must agree, support and adhere to University policies and procedures – including the Faculty Manual, Community Standards Guidelines, Human Sexuality Statement, and the Standard of Conduct for employees. Asbury University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, or handicap in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices.

Application Process:

Interested parties may forward their completed Asbury University Application, signed Application Insert and required essay (located at the bottom of the application insert), and resume to the Human Resources Office via email at human.resources@asbury.edu or by mail at:

Human Resources

Asbury University

1 Macklem Drive

Wilmore, KY 40390

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Department: Professional/Administrative Staff
Job Type: Staff
Status: Exempt
Deadline: Until Filled