Director of Engagement and Annual Giving

Drury-University

Springfield (MO)

On-site

USD 85,000 - 115,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO

Free tuition for family

Free tickets to events

Health benefits

Onsite fitness center

Discounted meals

Job summary

Drury University in Springfield, MO seeks a strategic Director of Engagement and Annual Giving to lead programs that deepen lifelong ties with alumni, families, donors, volunteers, and community partners.

You will oversee annual giving, events, volunteer leadership, and multi‑channel communications, collaborating with Marketing and Advancement. A Bachelor’s degree and at least five years in advancement or related fields are required; a master’s is preferred.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, alumni relations, annual giving, engagement, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or related field.
Experience with Raiser's Edge and donor relations management systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive engagement strategy that supports the University's mission, strategic plan, and Advancement priorities.
Lead engagement efforts for alumni, parents, families, friends, donors, volunteers, and community partners through meaningful programs, communications, and volunteer opportunities.
Serve as staff liaison to the Alumni Council, and other volunteer leadership groups; recruit, develop, recognize, and support volunteer leaders.
Coordinate annual giving and manage the University's relationship with campaigns and digital campaigns, segmentation, and performance evaluation.
Lead annual giving initiatives designed to increase donor participation, donor retention, and unrestricted support through multi-channel campaigns and events.
Plan, coordinate, and execute Advancement-sponsored engagement events including Homecoming, Distinguished Alumni Awards, regional events, and other activities.
Develop annual engagement, communications, annual giving, and events calendars; collaborate with Marketing & Communications on content and campaigns.
Collaborate with University Marketing & Communications to develop engagement communications including email campaigns, newsletters, digital content, social media, and print materials.
Develop engagement opportunities that encourage lifelong involvement, mentoring, career networking, and philanthropy.
Establish measurable goals and evaluate program effectiveness using participation, attendance, volunteer involvement, annual giving, and ROI metrics.
Prepare reports, recommendations, and strategic assessments for Advancement leadership.
Represent University Advancement professionally at campus, community, and regional events.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication skills

Data analysis

Relationship management

Travel willingness

Team collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Director of Engagement and Annual Giving

Full Time Exempt Bus & Fin Ops Springfield, MO, US

Job Summary

The Director of Engagement provides strategic leadership for constituent engagement initiatives that strengthen lifelong relationships between Drury University and its alumni, parents, families, friends, fans, donors, volunteers, and community partners. The position is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive engagement strategies that increase participation, annual giving, foster volunteerism, support annual giving, and cultivate a culture of philanthropy.
The Director oversees alumni engagement, parent and family engagement, annual giving initiatives, volunteer leadership, Advancement events, constituent communications, and digital engagement. The position coordinates annual giving and uses data, best practices, and assessment to continually improve engagement, donor participation, and constituent experiences.

Duties/Responsibilities

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties or responsibility requirements. Employees may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Develop and implement a comprehensive engagement strategy that supports the University's mission, strategic plan, and Advancement priorities.
Lead engagement efforts for alumni, parents, families, friends, fans, donors, volunteers, and community partners through meaningful programs, communications, and volunteer opportunities.
Serve as staff liaison to the Alumni Council, and other volunteer leadership groups; recruit, develop, recognize, and support volunteer leaders.
Coordinate annual giving and manage the University's relationship with EAB, campaign implementation, segmentation, and performance evaluation.
Lead annual giving initiatives designed to increase donor participation, donor retention, and unrestricted support through multi-channel campaigns, Giving Day(s) and digital campaigns, Student Success Fund initiatives, and other annual giving programs.
Plan, coordinate, and execute Advancement-sponsored engagement events including Homecoming, Distinguished Alumni Awards, Golden Circle, regional events, parent and family programs, campaign events, and community engagement activities while collaborating with other departments to coordinate participation by Advancement.
Develop annual engagement, communications, annual giving, and events calendars that ensure proactive planning and coordination across the Advancement division.
Collaborate with University Marketing & Communications to develop engagement communications including email campaigns, newsletter, digital content, social media, print materials, and event promotions, including coordinating lists and proofing for the Drury Magazine.
Develop engagement opportunities that encourage lifelong involvement, volunteerism, advocacy, mentoring, career networking, and philanthropy.
Establish measurable goals and evaluate program effectiveness using participation, attendance, volunteer involvement, annual giving, digital engagement, and return-on-investment metrics.
Prepare reports, recommendations, and strategic assessments for Advancement leadership.
Represent University Advancement professionally at campus, community, and regional events while fostering positive constituent relationships.

Required Skills/Abilities

Demonstrated initiative and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and solving problems.
Strategic thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to translate ideas into successful programs.
Exceptional organizational, planning, and project management skills.
Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
Experience leading events, volunteer programs, and constituent engagement initiatives.
Knowledge of annual giving strategies, donor stewardship, and relationship management.
Ability to analyze data, measure outcomes, and recommend continuous improvements.
Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, volunteers, and community partners.
Experience with constituent relationship management systems such as Raiser's Edge and Microsoft Office applications.
Some regional travel, nights and weekend work.
The Director is expected to demonstrate initiative by proactively identifying opportunities, anticipating constituent and organizational needs, developing thoughtful recommendations, and executing engagement strategies that advance the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
Success is this role requires strategic thinking, thoughtful planning, collaboration, exceptional follow-through, accountability, creativity, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Success is measured not only by completing assigned work, but identifying opportunities, anticipating needs, developing recommendations, and consistently following through to achieve measurable results.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, alumni relations, annual giving, engagement, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Supervisory Responsibilities

May supervise student employees, interns and volunteers as assigned. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the university’s policies and applicable law.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to travel off campus when required. Must be able to work some evenings and weekends. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

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