Senior Director, Annual Giving

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/13

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $132,000 to $138,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

For full consideration, please apply by Thursday, April 2.

 

Job Summary:

Senior management officer with comprehensive responsibility for program and team results. Works with team leader to establish goals and report on progress to those goals. Manages team to develop strategies and translate those strategies to action plans. Monitors results, determines strengths and weaknesses of component programs, and works with team leaders and development staff to modify plans and strategies to ensure achievement of program and organization goals. Participates in department management activities. Serves as liaison to both University and Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA).

As a team leader and member of the central annual giving team, the Director of Annual Giving will oversee a creative and innovative direct appeals program focusing on mass solicitations and mass stewardship across mail and email channels, for annual donors up to $99,999. Working with team leaders, the Director will devise and execute strategies to continue to grow annual support for the University through stewardship and strategic utilization of the NU Loyal and Northwestern University Leadership Circle giving societies to maintain and strengthen long term relationships with our donors. The Director will:

 

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Primary responsibility for development & implementation of strategic plans focused on participation in giving by alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff, and members of the NU Loyal and Northwestern University Leadership Circle giving societies
• Oversees, creates, implements, and manages plans to incorporate cutting edge & best practices to increase engagement and participation by key cohorts.
• Initiates, plans and implements innovative and visionary organizational change & takes calculated risks to develop new strategies to continually expand engagement and participation via mail and email channels.
• Produces reports and analysis of multichannel efforts, identifies gaps, and implements new tactics as necessary to meet goals.
• Works closely with senior management to set goals and to develop and implement overarching strategies, including prospect identification, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship programming for donors up to $99,999.
• Oversees programmatic performance evaluation and resourcing, process improvement and research.

 

Collaboration

• Reviews and proposes strategic alliances, joint ventures and key collaborations with department colleagues and other University partners to identify opportunities to integrate University priorities.
• Partners with Annual Giving colleagues to maximize giving across channels.
• Oversees and coaches team members regarding department collaborations.
• Key partnerships and work involved include:
  • Northwestern Alumni Association
  • ARD Schools and Programs teams
  • Marketing and Communications
  • ARD User Services

 

Prospects & Gifts

• Plays a primary role in developing and managing relationship strategies including the creation and implementation of mass solicitation and stewardship campaigns for alumni, parents, friends that ultimately result in increases in philanthropic contributions.
• Maintains current knowledge on annual giving and marketing best practices
• Develops reports and monitor program results.

 

Administration

• Manages a team, provides leadership, determines and evaluates individual goals, develops and implements training and mentoring, assigns and monitors coverage of primary areas of focus ensuring that goals and objectives are attained.
• Conducts associated ongoing data analysis to determine trends, results and future plans.
• Encourages and optimizes the use of technology, social networking, and other virtual engagement tools to increase and broaden NU's & school's global reach to prospects & donors. High focus on innovative technologies that enhance the donor experience across mail and email channels.
• Selects and manages high-level vendor/consultant relationships, including determining goals and coordinating activities with department and University staff.

 

Budget

• Strategically manages a department budget ensuring to minimize expenses while maximizing return.

 

Supervisory

• Supervises 3 or more staff.
• Provides training to staff within or outside of immediate dept or division in regard to function.
• Leads, coaches and evaluates performance of direct reports

 

Miscellaneous 

• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 8 years development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.

 

MINIMUM COMPETENCIES (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Team leadership; analytical thinking, complex problem solving and planning; global/organizational perspective; ability to work in fast-paced environment; comfortable with change and associated ambiguity

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  (Education and experience)

• Prior management of professional-level staff and strong leadership experience
• Annual Giving experience, preferably within higher education

 

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Proven success in developing and implementing successful fundraising solicitation and stewardship campaigns
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in segmentation design, renewal methodologies, stewardship, and operations at scale.
• Experience with data analysis and using data to inform strategy

 

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://hr.northwestern.edu/benefits/ to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://hr.northwestern.edu/well-being/ to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://hr.northwestern.edu/talent-development/ to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.

 

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