Assistant Director of Development - Annual Gifts

Southern Arkansas University; Magnolia (AR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Arkansas University is seeking a developed fundraising professional to design and manage an integrated annual giving program. You will coordinate multi-channel campaigns, events, and donor engagement to meet annual fundraising goals.

The role requires strong communication, relationship building, and collaboration with campus partners. Occasional travel and work outside standard hours may be needed to support Giving Tuesday and other events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in progress; enthusiasm for fundraising and the mission of SAU.
• Fundraising experience, accounting experience, and/or related experience in communications and marketing required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or other Donor Management Software; ability to interface with university constituents.

Responsibilities

• Lead the integrated multi-channel annual giving program and campaigns to engage donors across direct mail, email, social, and events.
• Plan, execute, and manage events and Giving Day activities; oversee Giving Tuesday and National Philanthropy Day.
• Coordinate faculty/staff annual giving campaigns and expand donor participation; manage student philanthropy awareness and corporate matching gifts.
• Analyze outcomes and improve donor segmentation, messaging, and participation; collaborate with campus partners to ensure consistent donor experiences.

Skills

Fundraising

Communication

Volunteer management

Customer service

Team collaboration

Multitasking

Donor relations

Presentation skills

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in progress

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Duties:

Design and manage an integrated multi-channel marketing strategy of outbound programs (Direct mail, email, text messaging, crowdfunding, social media, giving days, etc.) and inbound programs (websites, giving forms) that engage donors through multiple marketing channels; manage the use of digital marketing (email, websites, social media, text messaging, crowdfunding) and analytics (predictive modeling, social media data mining) to improve donors segmentation and messaging to enhance the overall donor experience; track annual giving programs progress against measurable outcomes, analyze results, and formulate methods for improvement; increase participation, retention, and revenue to attain the annual fundraising goals; coordinate the faculty/staff annual giving campaign; plan and oversee #Giving Tuesday, SAU’s Giving Day, National Philanthropy Day, and other events; plan and execute events and engagement activities to recruit and cultivate annual donors coordinating all logistics to ensure a positive experience; expand the current young alumni giving program to recruit and retain donors to the University; manage, develop, and implementation of the student philanthropy program that increases the awareness of current students on the importance of giving before they become alumni; promote the awareness of corporate matching gift programs; manage and increase the awareness of corporate matching gift programs; manage and increase the awareness of crowdfunding to the University’s students, faculty, and staff; work with campus partners (Athletics, Alumni Association, Academic Units) to ensure personal and consistent messaging and positive donor experiences; represent SAU at appropriate functions (on and off campus); attend appropriate conferences and meetings; research and stay up-to-date on trends in higher education advancement, annual giving, and philanthropy; suggest new initiatives and/or improvements to improve SAU annual giving outcomes; contribute to the overall success of the Division of Advancement by working on special projects performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President for Advancement.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in progress; enthusiasm for fundraising and the mission of SAU; fundraising experience, accounting experience, and/or related experience in communications and marketing required; proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (especially Word, Excel, & PowerPoint; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or other Donor Management Software; ability to effectively interface with constituents in a university environment (faculty, staff, students, board members, alumni, and parents); excellent verbal and written communication skills; collaborative spirit and ability to work effectively as a part of a team, including independently; positive track record in managing and motivating volunteers; organizational skills, detailed oriented, and must have strong ability and desire to multitask and meet deadlines; outstanding skills and background in customer service and outreach expected; self-motivated with the ability to work under limited supervision and create new strategies to achieve fundraising goals; practical knowledge of annual giving operations and an understanding of what it takes to expand donor and prospect participation expected; experience with marketing and/or creative design; willingness and ability to travel and work occasional nights and weekends, as required. All SAU faculty and staff demonstrate a commitment to the value of all members of the SAU community, to excellence in interpersonal behaviors, and effective collaboration with colleagues. Joining the SAU family requires a commitment to our culture of Continuous Quality Improvement.

Southern Arkansas University, 100 E. University, MSC 9288, Magnolia, AR 71753.

AA/EOE.