Assistant Director, Annual Giving Programming

Job Description :

JOB TITLE : Assistant Director, Annual Giving Programming

REPORTS TO : Associate Director of Annual Giving

DIVISION : University Advancement

DEPARTMENT : Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving

JOB SUMMARY

Fairfield University is seeking a dynamic, goal-oriented Assistant Director of Annual Giving Programming. The Assistant Director will report to and collaborate with the Associate Director of Annual Giving to manage and enhance annual giving initiatives, focusing on donor acquisition, retention, and engagement.

This role involves co- leading digital and direct fundraising campaigns, and supporting various annual giving projects and events.

The Assistant Director will also contribute to strategic planning, data management, and reporting efforts to ensure the success of the annual giving program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Annual Giving Operations :

Plan, organize, and manage solicitation schedules and segmentation for direct mail and email campaigns.

Draft and review direct marketing appeals and email messaging, ensuring alignment with fundraising strategies.

Develop materials for fundraising initiatives, including direct mail, email, social media, and other platforms.

Maintain relationships with campus partners and outside vendors to support annual giving efforts.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Director of Annual Giving to support the goals and initiatives of the Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving program.

Duties may be changed and / or be added at any time.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship :

Collaborate on digital and in-person engagement efforts, including Day of Giving, Campus Campaign, and Reunion programming.

Manage and support Crowdfunding program webpages, donation forms, and event software as needed.

Data Management and Reporting :

Lead reporting efforts related to direct marketing and affinity giving, utilizing data to inform strategy and decision-making.

Event Participation and Support :

Plan and facilitate Reunion marketing and events, collaborating with other AEAG partners.

Engage donors and coordinate ambassadors as part of the STAGiving Day team.

Organize and manage events to enhance donor engagement and promote philanthropic culture.

Affinity and Student Philanthropy :

Develop and support all partner philanthropy awareness programs to create a pipeline of future donors. Support programs with giving affinities, e.g. StagMates, etc

Staff and Faculty Giving Program Responsibilities :

Develop and Implement Strategies : Design and execute engagement strategies to boost staff and faculty participation in giving programs.

Manage Campaigns : Oversee annual staff and faculty giving campaigns, including direct mail, email solicitations, and events.

Enhance Donor Engagement : Implement outreach initiatives to recruit new donors and maintain engagement with existing contributors.

Stewardship and Recognition : Plan and execute recognition events and stewardship activities to acknowledge and thank donors.

Data Management : Maintain accurate donation records and analyze giving patterns to improve program effectiveness.

Collaborate and Integrate : Partner with internal teams and leadership to promote the giving program and integrate it into broader staff and faculty engagement efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS

2+ years of relevant experience in marketing or annual giving.

Previous experience creating and executing with fundraising strategies and donor engagement programs.

Prior experience in project management; preparing and interpreting data preferably in a fundraising setting.

Knowledge of the marketing creative / design process for printed collateral, social media & video. Experience with project management and / or marketing platforms (e.

g. Wrike) preferred. Proven experience writing for multiple media platforms and developing marketing materials.

Proficiency with fundraising software, marketing automation platforms, and design tools preferred.

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and develop strategic insights.

Ability to train others in technical aspects of digital tools and platforms.

Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines; thrives in a rapidly changing environment.

Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, with proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Knowledge of GiveCampus, Anthology and / or similar online giving / engagement / online giving / event registration software (not required but desirable).

Knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge and NXT or comparable CRM (strongly preferred).

Goal-driven, outcome-oriented, and self-motivated; able to work independently.

Able to effectively build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external constituents;

present a professional demeanor when interfacing with donors, coworkers, clients, and vendors.

WORK CONDITIONS

Occasional travel is required, primarily local and regional, and some overnight travel and driving at night. Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends throughout the year to support Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, the Advancement division, and University prospect / donor-facing events.

Must be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality. Valid driver’s license required. This position is based at Fairfield University’s 1073 North Benson Road (Fairfield CT) campus and is not eligible for immigration assistance.

About Fairfield University

Only 50 miles from New York City, Fairfield University is 200 acres of innovation and inspiration on Connecticut’s southern coast a values-based, student-centric, outcomes-focused Jesuit Catholic University committed to cultivating mind, body, and spirit through a 500-year-old Jesuit tradition, one of the oldest and most successful academic traditions in the world.

Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, Fairfield University is a coeducational institution of higher learning that prepares students for leadership and service in a constantly changing world.

Fairfield’s primary objectives are to develop the creative intellectual potential of students and to foster insight, empathy, critical rigor, and a determination to serve and promote justice.

Since its inception, Fairfield has grown from a small liberal arts college with an inaugural class of 300 male undergraduate students into a coeducational university of nearly 6,000 students, both undergraduate and graduate.

Today, Fairfield is a growing and highly competitive university that has earned a reputation for educational excellence and has been consistently recognized as one of the top institutions in the Northeast.

The University is now emerging onto the national stage with professional schools and programs that are consistently ranked among the best in the country.

In March of 2024, Fairfield’s women’s basketball team qualified for the NCAA tournament, driving excitement for their students, family, alumni, and friends across the country and beyond.

About University Advancement

The University Advancement division, comprised of nearly 50 staff members, includes Development (Major Gifts, Planned Gifts, Parent Engagement & Philanthropy, Corporate Relations), Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, Athletic Development, Special Events, Advancement Operations (Prospect Research & Management, Advancement Technology & Information Services, Stewardship), and Advancement Finance.

This comprehensive, highly experienced, goal-oriented, and innovative team utilizes industry best practices and SMART goals to create, implement, and execute programs and initiatives to exceed goals.

University Advancement prides itself on its collaborative can do attitude, inquisitive spirit, and its reputation for excellence and mutual cooperation with campus partners.

Since 1985, University Advancement has completed three capital campaigns and is now in the early stages of a new, comprehensive campaign, expected to launch in the near future.

Diversity & Inclusive Excellence

The Fairfield University community is committed to respecting and valuing one another, finding the common good rooted in us all, and working collaboratively to achieve their potential as a modern Jesuit Catholic institution.

Fairfield aspires to be an inclusive, welcoming community that is representative of an ever-changing and diverse global populace.

Through radical hospitality, Fairfield welcomes and invites all into the learning community, and is dedicated to pursuing shared standards of excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship, and service.

Category : Advancement - Admin

Advancement - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental / University needs indicate.

Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and / or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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