Director of Annual Giving

Director of Annual Giving

The UND Alumni Association & Foundation is seeking a Director of Annual Giving to lead and grow a modern, digital-first annual giving program that inspires alumni, donors, and friends to support the University of North Dakota.

In this highly visible leadership role, you'll develop innovative fundraising campaigns, leverage data and emerging technologies, and create personalized donor experiences that drive participation, increase revenue, and strengthen UND's future donor pipeline. From Day of Giving and crowdfunding to digital engagement and annual leadership giving, you'll help shape how UND connects with supporters around the world.

We're looking for a collaborative, forward-thinking professional who can turn insights into action, embrace new ideas, and build meaningful relationships across campus and beyond.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Annual Giving leads the strategy, execution, and growth of a modern, data-driven annual giving programs for the UND Alumni Association & Foundation (UNDAAF). This role is responsible for expanding donor participation, increasing annual revenue, and strengthening the long-term donor pipeline through innovative, digital-first engagement strategies.

This position plays a central role in shaping how UND connects with alumni, donors, and friends-leveraging digital platforms, analytics, and emerging technologies to deliver personalized, meaningful experiences that inspire philanthropic support.

Working closely with colleagues across Development, Operations, Marketing & Communications departments, and campus partners, to ensure a seamless, integrated approach to donor engagement, annual fundraising, and special initiatives.

This role also manages the virtual engagement officer program from messaging to segmenting. This person needs to see where annual giving is now and where it should be going into the future. This role needs to be able to work across teams and execute strategies that are built on success as well as being willing to attempt new ways of doing things to reach and connect donors.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Annual Giving & Digital Engagement Leadership

1. Lead and execute a comprehensive annual giving strategy that drives donor participation, revenue growth, and pipeline development through integrated multi-channel campaigns, including year-end appeals, Day of Giving, crowdfunding, reunion giving, student and young alumni engagement, athletics, and affinity-based initiatives.
2. Develop and manage a coordinated annual campaign calendar to ensure alignment across teams, audiences, and communication channels.
3. Create content within the framework of the UNDAAF brand and marketing guidelines and ensure that the content aligns and is approved by the marketing and communications team.
4. Collaborate with the digital communications and social media team with digital fundraising and engagement strategies utilizing email, social media, crowdfunding, SMS, video, and emerging platforms.
5. Leverage marketing automation, data analytics, and AI-enabled tools to enhance donor segmentation, personalization, engagement, and campaign performance.
6. Build and grow scalable annual leadership giving while continuously evaluating emerging technologies and trends to advance digital philanthropy efforts.
7. Works in close partnership with the stewardship and donor appreciation team to deliver a fully integrated donor experience, ensuring each solicitation is supported by intentional, timely, and strategic recognition and gratitude.

Data, Donor Strategy & Pipeline Development

1. Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, average gift size, and digital engagement to inform strategy and campaign optimization.
2. Effectively utilizes platforms such as Pardot, GiveCampus, Salesforce, and Wrike to execute annual giving campaigns and initiatives
3. Utilize data-driven segmentation, forecasting, and reporting to improve fundraising performance and donor experiences.
4. Partner with Operations to maintain CRM data integrity and ensure accurate reporting and analytics.
5. Manage and steward a portfolio of annual donors with a focus on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and long-term engagement.
6. Develop targeted engagement strategies for alumni, parents, students, faculty/staff, athletics supporters, and friends of UND while identifying and transitioning high-potential donors into major gift portfolios.

Collaboration, Leadership & Organizational Impact

1. Partner with Development, Operations, Marketing & Communications departments and campus units to deliver cohesive, donor-centric campaigns and experiences.
2. Create and align messaging, storytelling, and engagement opportunities across the organization to strengthen philanthropic impact, maintaining brand consistency.
3. Serve as a strategic resource and leader for annual giving, digital engagement, and special initiatives across UNDAAF.
4. Provide leadership, mentorship, and direction to team members while fostering a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
5. Contribute to the overall success of UNDAAF through cross-functional teamwork and strategic organizational initiatives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, or related field required.


Experience: 5 +years' experience in fundraising, annual giving, or a related field, preferably higher education or demonstrated success in customer/client relations, or sales management.


PHYSICAL & COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

Ability to operate computers, telephones, and other standard office equipment. Ability to focus and complete work in a timely manner. Ability to travel independently via car and air. Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, squat, and lift or move objects up to 10 pounds.

COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of fundraising process and ability to solicit donations
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Resourceful and willing to take initiative
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Technology and social media skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to stay on task within the context of the big picture goal
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with appropriate discretion
• Demonstrate integrity
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Self-motivated and confident
• Attention to detail
• Ability to adjust effectively to dynamic situations
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Benefits:

The UND Alumni Association & Foundation supports employees through a highly competitive total compensation package that includes competitive pay and an excellent benefits package, along with career growth opportunities, and supports work-life blend for our employees.


Benefits at UNDAAF includes health insurance with employer contributions towards premium, retirement plan with generous employer contributions, employer paid life and long-term disability insurance, paid holidays, generous paid time off policy, paid volunteer opportunities, EAP, UND tuition waiver, summer hours. Other elective benefits available: flexible benefits plans, dental, vision, STD, cancer care, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, voluntary life insurance for spouse and dependents.

The UND Alumni Association & Foundation recognizes that work-life blend is an important component of a larger picture of life responsibilities, obligations, goals and interests. We will make every effort in creating a work-life blend model that reflects life situations while also ensuring maximum productivity.

Statement:

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support Visa sponsorship for continued employment.

This position will be an in-office position.