Assistant Director, Annual Giving

Bryant University

Smithfield, Northern (RI, KY)

Hybrid

USD 65,000 - 85,000

Full time

5 days ago

Be an early applicant

Application generator

Don’t send a generic resume — generate a resume and cover letter tailored to this exact role.

Get past ATS filters

Job summary

Bryant University in Smithfield, RI seeks an Assistant Director of Annual Giving who will foster philanthropy across the Bryant community, manage key segments such as class, reunion and parent giving, and support donor revenue goals.

Reporting to the Associate Director, you will develop multi-channel campaigns, collaborate with Alumni Engagement, Development and Advancement leadership, and steward a portfolio of annual giving prospects.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; 3–5 years in annual giving, alumni engagement, or related field preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead campaigns with students, volunteers and campus partners.
Strong communication skills and comfort using data to guide decisions.

Responsibilities

Lead planning and execution of segmented annual giving campaigns (class, reunion, parent giving).
Recruit, train, and support volunteer leaders and committees for peer outreach.
Oversee Student Philanthropy Center activities and student workers.
Collaborate with Alumni Engagement to align fundraising with events and communications.
Partner with Gift Officers to align fundraising goals and donor recognition.

Skills

Annual giving

Campaign management

Donor engagement

Data analysis

CRM / Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

3–5 years experience in annual giving

Tools

CRM software

Excel

Data analytics tools

Job description

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving plays a key role in fostering a culture of philanthropy within the Bryant community. Reporting to the Associate Director of Annual Giving, this position manages key annual giving segments such as class and reunion giving, parent giving and actively collaborates across the institution to support the development and achievement of donor and revenue goals, and oversees related stewardship efforts. The role also maintains an annual fund portfolio.

The Assistant Director implements activities and strategies for continued and sustained growth of annual giving dollars and donors, with a focus on pipeline development. The position collaborates closely with Alumni & Parent Engagement, Development, and Advancement leadership to execute multi-channel campaigns that increase participation, strengthen donor loyalty, and develop meaningful relationships with the University.

Bryant is recognized as a top 1 percent national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, QS Stars, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant’s strategic plan, Vision 2030, redefines higher education through a commitment to providing students with a transformational learning experience. Vision 2030 accelerates advancements in academic innovation, experiential learning, vibrant student life, Division I athletics, and a connected community that fosters belonging and success.

Principal Accountabilities

40% Annual Giving Strategy & Volunteer Coordination

Lead the planning and execution of segmented annual giving campaigns, including class and reunion giving efforts, parent and giving society efforts.

Develop campaign strategies, goals, and timelines using data and donor insights to drive participation, leadership giving, and revenue growth – specifically for reunion classes, parents, young alumni and senior gift, and the consecutive giving society.
Recruit, train, and support advocates, volunteer leaders and committees to conduct peer outreach and solicit gifts.
Oversee the Student Philanthropy Center program which fosters engagement through student digital communication, solicitation and stewardship efforts of key segments of donors throughout the year. Including management and training of student workers.
Partner with Alumni & Parent Engagement to align fundraising with events, communications, and engagement strategies across class and reunion communication and events..
Collaborate with Gift Officers on strategies for reunion, parents and renewals throughout the year to align fundraising goals with opportunities; Donor Relations to ensure effective donor recognition and celebration of successes.

40% Pipeline Development & Donor Engagement

Build and advance a strong donor pipeline through early engagement and targeted outreach.

Increase annual participation, reunion giving, and leadership annual giving donors and dollars through segmentation and milestone-based outreach through reunion campaigns, giving days and fundraising events.
Support volunteer and advisory groups focused on building long-term donor relationships.
Manage a portfolio of annual giving prospects, focused primarily on reunion years.
Partner with Alumni and Parent Engagement and Development staff on initiatives where engagement, volunteering and philanthropy can be integrated regionally and digitally, especially for reunion or young alumni initiatives.
Design and implement strategies for student and young alumni giving, including senior class and early-career alumni initiatives – focused on increasing annual retention and consecutive giving goals.
Develop and implement stewardship initiatives, including thank-you campaigns, impact communications, and donor recognition for targeted segments of the program.
Ensure consistent recognition of leadership and milestone donors across channels, throughout the year.
Represent Annual Giving at events and engagement opportunities to strengthen donor relationships.

20% Data, Performance & Cross-Functional Coordination

Leverage data and collaboration to drive performance and continuous improvement.

Manage coordination of annual giving strategy – utilizing direct mail, digital efforts, and fundraising events to expand reach and develop engagement and fundraising opportunities or key constituencies.
Use analytics to inform segmentation, targeting, and personalized outreach strategies.
Communicate, track and report on campaign performance, including participation, revenue, retention, and pipeline growth.
Coordinate with Advancement Operations, Communications, Engagement, Development and Annual Giving teams to align messaging and multichannel campaigns.
Contribute to broader annual giving initiatives, including Giving Day, President’s Cup Golf Tournament and other signature efforts both on campus and regionally.

Additional Responsibilities

Participate in regular cross-functional meetings and provide updates on performance and opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Bryant Fund and Advancement priorities.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years of experience in annual giving, fundraising, alumni engagement, marketing, or a related field are required, with higher education experience preferred. The successful candidate will have experience leading programs or campaigns involving students, volunteers, and campus partners, strong communication skills, and comfort using data and CRM /Excel tools to guide decisions. This position also requires strong organizational skills, the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, flexibility, and a demonstrated commitment to Bryant University’s mission. Experience with relational databases, online giving and event management platforms, texting, design software and integration of AI tools is preferred.

This position may require non-traditional hours, including nights and weekends.

At Bryant University, we believe that our strength lies in the richness of our campus community and the unique perspectives that shape it. By connecting academic and social experiences, we create an environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. Our commitment to fostering belonging and well-being ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully. We encourage applications from those who appreciate the wide range of experiences and backgrounds that make our community exceptional. Discover more about how we cultivate a welcoming and collaborative campus culture that drives excellence.

Physical Capacities

Posting Number

Posting Number STA02791

Work Hours

Open Date

Open Date 05/01/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents