Associate Director, Knox Fund

Title: Associate Director of Knox Fund

Reports to: Director of Engagement and Annual Giving

FLSA: Exempt

Purpose:

The Associate Director, Knox Fund plays a critical role in developing and executing strategic initiatives that increase annual support for Knox College. Reporting to the Director of Engagement and Annual Giving, this position is responsible for creating and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies that drive growth in both donor participation and contributed revenue across diverse constituencies including, but not limited to, young alumni, affinity populations, and athletic supporters.

Working collaboratively with various members of the Advancement team;, the Associate Director leads the planning and execution of targeted campaigns, giving days, and special initiatives while building a sustainable annual giving program focused on donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades.

Knox College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college committed to preparing students to flourish in a diverse world through transformative learning experiences. In this role, the Associate Director will emphasize how Knox alumni are living this mission while contributing to a culture of engagement that directly supports the College's fundraising goals and campaign priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Execute programs and plans that increase Knox Fund/Annual Giving support from $5 Million to $8 Million by 2027
• Manage a portfolio of 40-50 key leadership annual giving donors
• Support the achievement of alumni participation growth from 20% to 25% or higher

Strategic Planning and Program Management (35%)

• Plan and execute annual strategic plans for Knox Fund initiatives that align with overall advancement goals, including establishing measurable objectives, timelines, and success metrics.
• Develop compelling messaging and communications that articulate the case for giving to the Knox Fund as essential unrestricted support and connect annual giving to aspirations as articulated in the College's broader campaign, Venture Boldly.
• Contribute to the development of segmentation strategies to maximize donor acquisition, retention, and upgrade opportunities across all constituencies.
• Review various Knox Fund solicitation lists, adjusting timing and amount of solicitation as needed.
• Monitor benchmarks for giving across various segments, providing regular reporting on progress toward goals and recommending strategic adjustments as needed.
• Maintain strategic focus on leadership annual giving program development, including creating cultivation pathways and upgrade strategies for donors with capacity for increased philanthropic engagement.
• Manage a select portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects, conducting personalized outreach, cultivation, and solicitation activities to secure and upgrade leadership-level commitments.
• Collaborate with stewardship to design and implement comprehensive recognition and engagement strategies for leadership annual giving societies, ensuring meaningful donor experiences that inspire continued support
• Partner with Advancement leadership to identify and implement integrated strategies that support pipeline development for major gifts and planned giving.
• Partner with the Associate/Assistant Director of Engagement to execute the senior gift efforts with the senior gift committee and senior week

Knox Fund Campaigns and Special Initiatives (30%)

• Lead all aspects of Knox Proud Day, or any type of giving day successor, including theme development, volunteer coordination, communications strategy, and execution to maximize participation and revenue.
• Assist with the development and management of targeted fundraising campaigns for specific constituencies including young alumni, parents, affinity groups.
• Develop content strategy and creative direction for major fall and spring solicitations, working with marketing and communications partners to create compelling multi-channel appeals.
• Coordinate with advancement staff on fundraising initiatives for reunion classes and class leadership teams

Young Alumni and Emerging Donor Strategies (20%)

• Research, develop, and implement innovative engagement and solicitation strategies specifically tailored to young alumni (classes of the most recent 10-15 years)
• Create pathways for donor development that move constituents through acquisition, retention, and upgrade stages, with particular focus on identifying and cultivating leadership annual giving prospects
• Develop and implement strategies to encourage parent giving participation through targeted communications and cultivation activities, in close collaboration with the Director of Engagement and Annual Giving
• Stay current with emerging best practices, technologies, and giving trends relevant to younger donor populations

Data Management and Analytics (10%)

• Utilize CRM and advancement technologies to analyze donor data, identify trends, and develop targeted solicitation lists
• Refine segmentation models to optimize solicitation timing, channels, and messaging for various donor populations
• Identify opportunities to enhance major donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship efforts

Additional Responsibilities (5%)

• Assist with Homecoming, Friends, and Family Weekend as needed
• Collaborate on cross-functional advancement projects and initiatives
• Supervise student employees or volunteers as needed

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of or strong interest in the fundraising cycle and how engagement activities support donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship
• Passion for Knox College's mission of preparing students to flourish in a diverse world through transformative liberal arts education
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, establish priorities, and work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies with measurable results
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to create compelling fundraising content and presentations
• Knowledge of current social media platforms and digital fundraising trends
• Strong relationship-building skills and demonstrated experience in donor cultivation and stewardship
• Be goal and achievement-oriented; operate with enthusiasm and integrity; and effectively supervise possible student employees/volunteers.
• Have excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills with attention to detail and follow-up.
• Demonstrated experience in building relationships, making connections, bringing people together, and managing long-term relationships.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact required.
• Computer skills must include high competence in Microsoft Office software and Google Suite, social media, and database/CRM maintenance
• Growth mindset and eagerness to learn advancement best practices in a collaborative team environment
• Willingness and ability to attend events outside of business hours required
• Travel required
• An appreciation for higher education and advancement work

Minimum Education Required:

Bachelor's degree required, preferably in marketing, communications, business, or related field

Minimum Experience Required:

3-5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, annual giving, marketing, or relationship-based revenue generation with demonstrated success in campaign development and execution

Minimum Licenses/Certifications Required:

N/A

Additional Qualifications: (Preferred qualifications)

• Experience in higher education engagement and fundraising
• Track record of creative problem-solving and innovative thinking in program development
• Experience with CRM systems (Raiser's Edge NXT, Salesforce, or similar platforms preferred)
• Experience with Google Suite preferred.

Summary Pay Range: Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that pay is only one component of total compensation.

Benefits:

Health Insurance

Dental

Vision

FSA/ HSA/ FSA Dependent Care

Employer Paid Basic Life & LTD

Voluntary Life

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Parental Leave

In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837, Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition, Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from discriminating on the basis of sex.

The College official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of Non-Discrimination is the Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance. Any inquiries regarding policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment, including Title IX sexual harassment, as well as the policy prohibiting hazing, should be directed to the Director of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance identified below. Staff in the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance are available to meet with or talk to students, staff, and faculty regarding issues relating to this Notice of Non-Discrimination and the College’s policies and procedures.

Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance
Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
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Inquiries about the application of Title IX to Knox may be referred to the Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance, the United States Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights for additional information.

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education-Chicago Office
500 W Madison St., Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
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Inquiries regarding the College’s policies regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) should be directed to the ADA/504 Coordinator identified below:

Knox College ADA/504 Coordinator
Jennie Hemingway, PhD
Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
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Employees requesting accommodations may contact:

Human Resources
52 W South St., Alumni Hall, Suite 100 | Campus Box K-200
Galesburg, IL 61401
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Students requesting accommodations may contact:

Director of Disability Support Services
Patricia Harden
Umbeck Science and Math Center E111 | Campus Box K183
340 South West Street
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in certain aspects of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a human.