Director of Annual Giving

 

Position: Director of Annual Giving

For the purposes of ACU's Background Check and Self-Reporting Policy, this position is classified as security sensitive.

Exempt/Full time

The key principles of this job are to:

1. Support ACU's Mission: Educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.
2. Support ACU's 21^st Century Vision: By 2020, ACU will become the premier university for the education of Christ-centered, global leaders.

Scope:  Plan and lead overall fundraising strategy to build broad-based constituent goodwill and maximize gifts to ACU's Annual Fund.  The Annual Fund provides unrestricted current support for ACU students, programs, and faculty, helping bridge the gap between tuition revenues and the actual cost of providing an ACU education.  Annual Fund donors include alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends who are solicited for a gift every year through a variety of methods, including personal solicitation, direct mail, phoneathon, and email/web.

I.  Basic Responsibilities:

1. Develop strategies to meet yearly fundraising goals for the Annual Fund.
2. Hire, train, and manage Annual Giving fundraising and support staff.
3. Manage and solicit a small portfolio of assigned prospects.
4. Represent Annual Giving in contacts with faculty, staff, trustees, donors, and prospective donors.

II.    Essential Duties include the following items.  Other duties may be assigned.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

A.    Develop strategies to meet yearly fundraising goals for the Annual Fund.

1. Work with Director of Development and Vice President for Development to set yearly goals and to include Annual Giving as part of ACU's overall fundraising strategy.
2. Work with staff to develop and monitor comprehensive mass solicitation calendars, strategies, messaging, and budgets for mail, phoneathon, email, and personal solicits.
3. Analyze reporting data throughout the year so program adjustments can be made as needed.
4. Work with development, marketing, and creative services staff to provide information and stewardship about the Annual Fund to external and internal audiences.
5. As needed, write fundraising copy and assist in vendor negotiations.

B.     Hire, train, and manage Annual Giving fundraising and support staff.

1. Set goals with each Annual Giving Officer (AGO) related to face-to-face visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.  Coach, motivate and evaluate the progress of each Annual Giving Officer.
2. Set goals with the Annual Giving Project Manager related to critical deadlines, desired revenues from mass solicitations, and budgetary constraints.  Coach, motivate and evaluate the progress of the Annual Giving Project Manager.
3. Provide data and reports to assist in their efforts.
4. Work with Development Division departments and other key university outreach units to ensure the Annual Giving personnel are adequately trained and mentored.
5. Work with AGOs, senior development officers, research, and director of development to appropriately assign prospects for discovery or for hand-offs to other personnel.

C.     Manage and solicit a small portfolio of assigned prospects.

1. Solicit each prospect a minimum of one time per year for a leadership gift ($1,000+) to the Annual Fund.
2. Provide additional contacts with prospects throughout the year to express gratitude and keep them informed on campus happenings.
3. Visit prospects personally as appropriate and feasible based on location.

D.    Represent Annual Giving in contacts with faculty, staff, trustees, donors, and prospective donors.

1. Assist director of development as needed with Annual Fund solicitations for members of the Board of Trustees.
2. Participate in development events such as President's Circle Dinner, trustee breakfasts, campaign gatherings, ground breaking and dedicatory ceremonies, and other campus events.
3. Provide Annual Giving reporting for the Board of Trustees and campus leadership.
4. As schedule allows, participate in non-development events that provide opportunities to build relationships with constituents.

III.  Professional Development Requirements

A.    Skills

1. Maintain a broad knowledge of University events and goals.
2. Working knowledge of the following computer software applications will be required (training provided if needed):

1. Microsoft Windows and the Office Suite
2. Banner
3. Gmail

B.   Training Modules Required

1. Necessary computer software applications as mentioned under III.A.
2. Participate in management and fundraising workshops as deemed necessary.

IV. Qualifications

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

A.    Professional

1. Bachelor's degree in business, communication, philanthropy, or related field required; master's degree preferred.
2. Minimum of three years experience in development/fundraising, preferably in directing an annual giving program.
3. Alumnus (either undergraduate or graduate) of Abilene Christian University.
4. Experience in planning, delegating, budgeting, and reporting in a deadline-driven, goal-oriented environment.

B.     Personal

1. Display strong interpersonal relationship skills, with a love for people and a strong belief in the power of philanthropy.                                
2. Display strong organizational skills, with the ability to think proactively and strategically.
3. Display strong employee management skills, with the ability to delegate effectively and monitor progress.
4. Display strong written and oral communication skills.
5. Display a professional image.
6. Display ability to handle stress and constituent complaints with grace.
7. Demonstrate a belief in our students and our mission by personally donating to ACU. 

V. Physical Demands

1. Handle demands resulting from significant time spent on a computer.
2. Handle demands from occasionally variable or extended hours during peak times.
3. Handle all demands associated with working at special events, included extended standing.
4. Handle all demands from occasional travel.

 

I understand that our mission at Abilene Christian University is to educate students for Christian service and leadership through the world.  Because of ACU's commitment to this principle and my commitment to God, people and learning, my actions will exemplify integrity, service, stewardship, involvement, and excellence.

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