Director, Annual Giving

The Director of Annual Giving is responsible for developing a data/metrics-driven program to identify, engage and solicit alumni via multi-channel strategies and lay an engagement/giving foundation for milestone events and beyond. Utilize content from academic units and student affairs to garner unrestricted funds, faculty support, and scholarships. Build and strengthen the Student Alumni Association to increase engagement and reduce the gap between graduation and the first gift. Keep current on trends in annual giving, implement best practices for giving/engagement, create compelling messaging pertaining to university priorities, and help build university spirit/pride through intentional collaboration with stakeholders.

Duties:

• Plan, develop and implement a strategic plan of action with objectives, timelines and evaluation plans for the annual giving program, to include identification, cultivation and solicitation of annual gifts from alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff.
• Design and conduct multi-channel solicitation programs. Ensure gifts are renewed; implement monthly giving and mid-level donor programs; work in coordination with the Director of Advancement Services and the Department of Marketing and Communications to ensure donors are properly recognized. Work with communications staff to strategically include Annual Fund messages, stories, ads, updates and results in UHCL publications, news releases, stories, etc.
• Create and manage solicitation campaigns which increase donor participation and identify donors to migrate into the leadership giving pipeline. Develop and steward giving clubs. Functions include, but are not limited to, thank you communications, donor recognition events (may be supported by Special Events), student thank you call programs, etc. 
• Facilitate planning with the Annual Fund/University Advancement team to implement strategies and tactics for solicitation of the UHCL constituency. Prepare and monitor the master plan for the year.
• Identify and participate in external activities which promote increased alumni engagement, provide cultivation for giving appeals; and migrate annual fund donors into the major gift pipeline.
• Collaborate in the establishment and achievement of college and division strategic plans, integrating the annual giving program with the entire development effort.
• Foster the growth of best practices in the supporting areas of gift processing, data management and donor relations as related to annual giving and university advancement as a whole.
• Stay abreast of annual giving trends and strategies including social media and other digital fundraising tactics.
• Travel to and from events/meetings and transport support material which may include boxes, displays, and other event-related items. Perform related duties as assigned.

 Required:

1. Bachelor's degree in Marketing or Communications or related area.
2. Three years of non-profit annual fund experience.
3. Knowledgeable of direct mail, telemarketing, personal solicitation, online giving, and managing fundraising volunteers.
4. Knowledgeable regarding moving high-end annual giving donors into the major gifts pipeline.
5. Working knowledge of donor retention strategies.
6. Skilled in using Microsoft Office and digital solicitation channels as well as Blackboard, Advance, or similar advancement platforms (CRMs)
7. Skilled in effectively interacting/communicating with diverse internal and external constituencies.
8. Strong analytical and fundraising skills with the ability to recognize opportunities, identify high-return activities and priorities to attain goals.
9. Skills and ability to manage multi-phase projects from inception to completion, including the ability to build consensus among team members and balance multiple competing priorities.
10. Must be detail-oriented, well-organized, focused and goal-oriented, with a high level of initiative.
11. Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to listen carefully to and understand the needs of diverse internal and external constituencies, and proactively respond to those needs in a consistent and timely manner.

Desired:

Higher education annual fund experience.

Active in CASE or other Advancement Professionals groups.

Full-time position with benefits. Criminal and motor vehicle background checks are required. To apply, please complete the online application and attach a resume and cover letter. Applications without the required documents will be considered incomplete and disqualified.

University of Houston-Clear Lake is proud to be recognized by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a member of the Minority Serving Institutions Program. UHCL is an HSI: Hispanic Serving Institution and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer supporting workplace diversity.