Director of Annual Giving and Constituent Eng

Title: Director of Annual Giving and Constituent Engagement

Department: Advancement


Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Target Salary: $110,000-$120,000 / year

The Director of Annual Giving and Constituent Engagement is a senior member of the Advancement team responsible for leading a comprehensive annual giving and constituent engagement strategy. This position oversees annual giving, leadership annual giving, alumni relations, stewardship, and advancement communications. The Director develops and implements integrated programs that increase participation, strengthen donor relationships, and build a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Giving Strategy and Execution
• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-channel annual giving program including direct mail, email, digital outreach, giving days, and personal solicitations.
• Set and achieve participation and revenue goals for annual giving.
• Design and manage segmented appeals and targeted campaigns for diverse constituencies.
• Monitor performance metrics and adjust strategies to improve results.

Leadership Annual Giving and Pipeline Development
• Manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to increase giving levels.
• Partner with advancement staff to build and advance the donor pipeline.
• Support prospect research, screening, and rating efforts.

Volunteer and Constituent Engagement
• Recruit, train, and manage volunteers including class agents and leadership committees.
• Develop engagement programs for alumni, students, and friends.
• Strengthen relationships through meaningful outreach and volunteer opportunities.

Serve as liaison to alumni groups and other key constituencies.

Stewardship and Donor Relations
• Design and implement a comprehensive stewardship program across all giving levels.
• Oversee donor recognition programs, reports, and impact communications.
• Ensure timely and personalized stewardship touchpoints to enhance retention.
• Coordinate donor relations strategies with advancement leadership.

Advancement Communications
• Ensure consistent messaging, branding, and storytelling across all channels. Docusign Envelope ID: E6AB0D2F-495D-4E79-B869-A40E359C0C08
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to align strategies.

Events and Engagement Programming
• Plan and execute events that support fundraising and engagement goals.
• Manage giving day strategy including challenge gifts and digital campaigns.
• Support cultivation and stewardship events for key donors and prospects.

Collaboration and Leadership
• Work closely with the Vice President for Advancement and advancement staff to align strategies.
• Collaborate across departments to support institutional priorities.
• Participate in advancement planning, meetings, and committees.
• Represent the university at community and professional events as needed.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience in annual giving, alumni relations, or related advancement roles.
• Proven success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Experience managing multi-channel fundraising campaigns.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Experience with CRM systems such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with volunteers and boards preferred.

Personal Attributes
• Strategic thinker with strong execution skills.
• Collaborative and relationship-oriented.
• Creative and data-informed decision maker.
• Strong attention to detail and accountability.
• Passion for advancing the mission of the university.

Application Procedures:

NDNU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse student population. In your cover letter, please include information about your experiences in working in a diverse environment, and what qualities you would bring to supporting this commitment to inclusive excellence at NDNU.


EEOC Policy:

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff member's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the University will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, if the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform all essential functions of the position and if it will be done without undue hardship to the University.