Associate Director of Leadership Annual Giving

Quinnipiac University; Hamden (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Quinnipiac University invites applications for the Associate Director of Leadership Annual Giving. The role, reporting to the Senior Director of Annual Giving, focuses on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding leadership annual donors and prospects to increase alumni engagement and giving.

The officer will manage a portfolio and actively solicit unrestricted support for the Quinnipiac Fund, while expanding President's Club and PC BOLD giving societies and strengthening donor loyalty across the

Qualifications

• Two to three years of fundraising or closely related experience.
• Higher ed/Annual Giving background preferred.
• Proficiency in Windows-based applications, specifically Microsoft Office.
• Experience with CRMs and crowdfunding websites a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage and qualify a portfolio of up to 200 alumni, parents, and friends capable of annual gifts of up to $9,999.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for assigned prospects.
• Conduct meetings and meaningful interactions through in-person visits, phone calls, virtual meetings, email, and other engagement strategies.
• Solicit leadership-level gifts to the Quinnipiac Fund and other university priorities as appropriate.
• Collaborate with major gift officers to identify and transition prospects who demonstrate major gift capacity and interest.
• Drive donor retention and long-term philanthropic investment by securing recurring gifts, including monthly giving commitments and annual fund pledges with terms of three years or longer.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Communication skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Associate Director of Leadership Annual Giving

Quinnipiac University invites applications forthe Associate Director of Leadership Annual Giving. Under the direction of the Senior Director of Annual Giving, the Associate Director of Leadership Annual Giving, is responsible for increasing philanthropic support and engagement among Quinnipiac University's alumni, parents, and friends through the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership annual giving donors and prospects. This position focuses on expanding alumni participation, improving donor retention, increasing average gift size, and growing membership in the President's Club and PC BOLD giving societies.

The officer will manage a portfolio of prospects capable of making annual gifts up to $9,999 and will actively solicit unrestricted support for the Quinnipiac Fund. Through strategic outreach, relationship building, and personalized engagement, the Leadership Annual Giving Officer will strengthen donor loyalty and advance a culture of philanthropy that supports Quinnipiac's mission and priorities.

Responsibilities

Leadership Annual Giving

• Manage and qualify a portfolio of up to 200 alumni, parents, and friends capable of making annual gifts of up to $9,999.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for assigned prospects.
• Conduct meetings and meaningful interactions through in-person visits, phone calls, virtual meetings, email, and other engagement strategies.
• Solicit leadership-level gifts to the Quinnipiac Fund and other university priorities as appropriate.
• Collaborate with major gift officers to identify and transition prospects who demonstrate major gift capacity and interest.
• Drive donor retention and long-term philanthropic investment by securing recurring gifts, including monthly giving commitments and annual fund pledges with terms of three years or longer.

President's Club Growth

• Develop and implement strategies to increase membership in the President's Club ($2,500+ annual donors).
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new and renewing President's Club members.
• Increase retention and upgrade rates among existing President's Club donors, working in collaboration with Directors of Development and the AVP for Advancement.
• Promote the impact and benefits of leadership-level giving through personalized communications and donor engagement opportunities.
• In collaboration with the Associate Director of Annual Giving, expand participation in PC BOLD (Bobcats of the Last Decade), with a focus on those who graduated 5-10 years ago, by identifying young alumni with leadership annual giving potential.
• Develop targeted outreach and donor upgrade strategies to move recent graduates into leadership giving levels.
• Create meaningful stewardship and engagement opportunities that encourage lifelong philanthropic involvement.
• Partner with Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement colleagues to increase overall alumni donor participation.
• Cultivate, solicit, and secure leadership-level commitments for Bobcat Challenge and Bobcats Unite.
• Secure leadership level gifts for annual hallmark giving campaigns
• Implement strategies that improve donor retention and recapture lapsed leadership annual giving donors.
• Analyze donor behavior and giving trends to identify opportunities for increased engagement and long-term donor loyalty.
• Serve as an ambassador for the university and communicate the importance of philanthropy in advancing Quinnipiac's mission.
• Work closely with Annual Giving, Alumni Engagement, Athletics, Advancement Services, Advancement Communications, and Major Gifts teams to support integrated fundraising strategies.
• Maintain accurate donor records and activity reports within the CRM system.
• Track progress toward fundraising, participation, retention, and donor society goals.
• Utilize donor data and analytics to guide portfolio management and strategy development.

Actively participate in alumni engagement, athletic, and campus events to build meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, donors, and friends of the University.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience required in area of expertise

Qualifications

• Two to three years of fundraising or closely related experience. Higher ed/Annual Giving background preferred
• Proficiency in Windows-based applications, specifically Microsoft Office’s suite of word processing, spreadsheet, and database management tools
• Ease in learning new systems and interpreting analytic reports for action-oriented results
• Experience with CRMs and crowdfunding websites a plus
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, creativity, and demonstrated success in managing multiple projects
• Accuracy and attention to detail are essential
• Time management and prioritization skills are needed for daily operations
• Expertise in communications from writing to analytics as they relate to RIO and engagement success
• Experience with e-mail programs, and web applications
• Experience with handling and tracking of program budgets

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications must be submitted electronically and include a resume, a cover letter detailing how your experience aligns with the position requirements, demonstrated commitment to intentional leadership that values individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, and contact information for three references.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $65,000-$80,000. At the time of offer, the final salary will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, including relevant education, experience, skills, and competencies, as well as internal equity and market considerations. Quinnipiac University offers eligible full-time faculty and staff a comprehensive benefits package that may include health insurance, life insurance, paid time off, education benefits, and retirement benefits.

Advertised: November 06, 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Open until filled