Director of Annual Giving (EX9945)

Stetson University; DeLand (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Stetson University seeks a Director of Annual Giving to lead the comprehensive annual giving program, driving donor acquisition, retention, and leadership annual giving among alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends. You will manage direct mail, digital giving, campaigns, and ROI analysis, building a strong donor pipeline.

The role reports to the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, supervising two colleagues, and collaborates with Development Marketing, College units,

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Two to four years of fundraising, marketing, and/or management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and achieving results.
• Must possess current driver license and an insurable driving record through the University’s insurance provider.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate the strategy, priorities, staff, and budget of the Annual Giving office, including all mass solicitation campaigns.
• Provide leadership for all direct mail, email, social media giving campaigns, and crowdfunding initiatives to achieve fundraising goals.
• Evaluate solicitation efforts and donor behavior to adjust strategies that improve ROI, donor retention, and donor conversion.
• Partner with Development Marketing and Alumni Engagement to create an annual solicitation calendar that maintains a consistent brand identity while acquiring new donors and upgrading annual giving donors.
• Collaborate with the Annual Giving team and the Executive Director to develop an annual plan for solicitation efforts, budgets, goals, and desired outcomes.
• Plan and oversee a campus-wide giving day to increase alumni participation and philanthropic support of the University.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Analytical and problem-solving

Collaborative teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Director of Annual Giving is responsible for leading a comprehensive annual giving program. This includes mass solicitation efforts for donor acquisition and retention among alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the University. This role serves as the lead strategist and manager for direct mail, digital giving, and other annual giving initiatives for Stetson University, while growing the donor pipeline and cultivating leadership annual giving donors. The Director reports to the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving and supervises a Senior Associate Director and an Associate Director. This position may also assist Annual Fund staff at the College of Law and Athletics, as needed.

Start Date: October 1, 2026

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Manage and coordinate the strategy, priorities, staff, and budget of the Annual Giving office, including all mass solicitation campaigns.
• Provide leadership for all direct mail, email, social media giving campaigns, and crowdfunding initiatives to achieve fundraising goals.
• Evaluate solicitation efforts and donor behavior to adjust strategies that improve return on investment (ROI), donor retention, and donor conversion.
• Partner with Development Marketing and Alumni Engagement to create an annual solicitation calendar that maintains a consistent brand identity while acquiring new donors and upgrading annual giving donors.
• Collaborate with the Annual Giving team and the Executive Director to develop an annual plan for solicitation efforts, budgets, goals, and desired outcomes.
• At the direction of the Vice President or Executive Director, collaborate with Development team members at the College of Law and Athletics.
• Plan and oversee a campus-wide giving day to increase alumni participation and philanthropic support of the University.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit leadership annual giving prospects to create and grow a pipeline of major gift donors.
• Collaborate with Donor Relations on annual giving stewardship initiatives.
• Partner with the Director of Alumni Engagement on fundraising initiatives associated with Leadership Stetson, Senior Week, Commencement, Homecoming, and other alumni engagement activities.
• Evaluate and, when appropriate, implement new technologies, audience-customized strategies, and enhanced digital fundraising initiatives.
• Perform other site- and position-specific functions as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal, written, oral, and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with a wide variety of university constituencies.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the demonstration of these values in building community.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to support fundraising initiatives and university events.
• Support the University’s Mission and Values in their role.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Two to four years of fundraising, marketing, and/or management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and achieving results.
• Must possess current driver license and an insurable driving record through the University’s insurance provider.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

• Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and industry standards.
• Positive, creative, and energetic approach to fundraising and donor engagement.
• Experience using The Raiser's Edge or another donor-based database.
• Demonstrated ability to stay current with fundraising best practices and emerging technologies.
• Experience developing and implementing annual fundraising campaigns and donor engagement strategies.

Work Environment:

Routinely works in an office setting during normal university business hours within a lively, energetic, and highly collaborative environment. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support fundraising events, campaigns, alumni engagement activities, and other university initiatives.

Work authorization sponsorship may be available for this position. However, sponsorship is contingent upon the non-applicability of the visa petition fees outlined in the relevant Executive Order signed September 19, 2025. Due to the recent federally mandated increased financial expense, the university is not in a position to absorb this significantly increased cost of sponsorship for new H-1B petitions at this time. International candidates are encouraged to apply but should be aware that eligibility for sponsorship will be evaluated in accordance with current U.S. immigration regulations and institutional policies.