Associate Director of Annual Giving

Wilkes University; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Associate Director of Annual Giving to lead a strategic program aimed at enhancing donor engagement and increasing financial support. This role is vital in cultivating a diverse donor base, focusing on contributions under $10,000 while promoting leadership-level gifts. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and project management skills, alongside a proven track record in fundraising. Join a dynamic team dedicated to advancing the mission of academic excellence and community engagement at Wilkes University, where your efforts will directly impact the future of students and the institution alike.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of leadership and fundraising experience required.
• Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement multi-channel fundraising campaigns.
• Analyze metrics to optimize fundraising outcomes.

Skills

Fundraising

Communication

Project Management

Data Analysis

Event Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google applications

Databases/CRMs

Fundraising applications

Job description

Wilkes University invites applicants for an Associate Director of Annual Giving in the Division of Advancement, which encompasses Development and Alumni & Constituent Engagement. The Associate Director of Annual Giving will develop and lead a strategic annual giving program to increase donor engagement and financial support for Wilkes University. This role focuses on cultivating a broad pipeline of donors, with an emphasis on gifts under $10,000, and encouraging leadership-level contributions ($1,000+). Reporting to the Director of Alumni and Constituent Engagement, this position oversees donor outreach, engagement initiatives, and fundraising programs related to Annual Giving, including the annual Giving Day and giving societies. This position will play a critical role in helping the Advancement team as part of the University's upcoming comprehensive campaign.

The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator and leader who is passionate about our mission and will represent Wilkes with professionalism and integrity. This individual will bring proven experience in fundraising, stewarding and retaining donors, and managing donor communications, events, and appeals. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Strategic Fundraising: Design and implement multi-channel marketing campaigns, including email, social media, and direct mail, targeting alumni, parents, faculty/staff, students, and friends. Develop digital materials and cases for support ensuring all communication represents the Wilkes brand.
• Donor Engagement: Develop targeted initiatives for special constituencies including, but not limited to leadership annual giving, reunion years, young alumni, student philanthropy/class gift, and other affinity groups.
• Data-Driven Insights: Analyze metrics, assess trends, and adjust strategies to optimize fundraising outcomes. Report regularly on progress towards goals, effectiveness of fundraising strategies, appeals, and programs, and making and implementing strategic and operational recommendations.
• Annual Giving Days: Organize annual giving day events with engaging content, matches, and challenges to inspire donor participation.
• Program Management: Oversee leadership (John Wilkes Society) and consecutive giving (W-Club) societies, including membership cultivation, benefits management, engagement through events, and stewardship.
• Digital Engagement: Manage content creation and execution of various digital platforms for annual giving such as GiveCampus and CampusESP.
• Collaboration: Build cross-campus partnerships to enhance donor messaging and engagement while contributing to a positive team environment.
• Professionalism: Demonstrate good leadership and teamwork skills in all aspects of planning with volunteers, alumni and benefactors, departmental colleagues, and the university-wide community. Respect confidentiality of donor data.
• Event Participation: Assist with signature annual events such as Homecoming, Founders Gala, and the Ralston Golf Tournament.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, communications, public relations, or a related field required.
• 2-5 years of leadership and fundraising experience, with knowledge of annual campaigns and successful fundraising strategies.
• Experience developing fundraising marketing collateral and messaging for campaigns with the ability to write on-brand, engaging content, and ensure brand consistency; strong editing and proofreading skills.
• Ability to plan, execute, and measure the impact of appeals and programs.
• Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google applications, databases/CRMs and fundraising applications.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certification or degree in fundraising.
• Experience with donor event coordination and digital fundraising tools.
• Familiarity with Ellucian/Advance or similar donor databases.
• Connection to Wilkes University (e.g., alumnus or knowledge of the institution).

Wilkes University is an independent, comprehensive university dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts, sciences, and selected professional programs. The University has approximately 2,350 students at the undergraduate level and over 1,350 full time equivalent students at the graduate and first professional levels.

Its institutional focus is on developing strong mentoring relationships with each of its students and contributing vitally to economic development of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The University is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a revitalized city that is located on the lovely Susquehanna River and is within two and one-half hours driving distance of New York City and Philadelphia.

To apply, visit https://wilkesuniversitycareers.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please be sure to include a cover letter, resume, and three references.

Wilkes University is constantly seeking to become a more diverse community and to enhance its capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings. The University strongly encourages applications from persons with diverse backgrounds. Wilkes University does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

Employment at Wilkes is contingent upon the results of a thorough background screening. PA Act 153 requires that persons working in positions with regular and unsupervised contact with minors complete additional clearances, including FBI fingerprinting and PA criminal and child abuse clearances.