Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Next Generation Philanthropy

Posted: Apr 8, 2026

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Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Next Generation Philanthropy

George Mason University - Fairfax, VA

business_center Full-time

Salary: $63,000.00 - $67,000.00

Application Deadline: N/A

Education

Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Next Generation Philanthropy

Req # 10003962

About The Department

The University Advancement division is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 135 FTE. Functional units within Advancement include development/fundraising, alumni relations, donor relations and stewardship, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services.

Advancement's mission is to build strong, lifelong relationships with George Mason University's alumni and constituents while matching their philanthropic interests with the university's aspirations and priorities. The division is committed to serving the needs of the university, our alumni, and the greater community by providing access to quality education and lifelong learning.

About The Position

With oversight from the Director, the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Next Generation Philanthropy coordinates a year-round acquisition, cultivation, and engagement program focusing on recent graduates and parent and family philanthropy. This position is responsible for the oversight of the Engagement Center, and works closely with development teams to develop the pipeline of annual giving donors.

Responsibilities

Support Comprehensive Fundraising Program

• Cultivates, solicits, and stewards recent graduate and parent and family donors through all annual giving channels;
• Manages recent graduate and parent and family annual giving appeals, segmentation, and solicitation strategies;
• Develops data-driven strategies and supports pipeline development by identifying and qualifying top recent graduate and parent and family prospects;
• Reports on yearly goals and pipeline growth;
• Assists the transfer of recent graduate and parent and family data from the university to university advancement;
• Collaborates with University Life and the Office of Parent and Families to build a seamless experience for recent graduate and parent and family donors; and
• Creates specific Giving Day campaigns for recent graduates and parents and families.
  
  

Engagement Center Oversight and Supervision

• Develops strategies for the Engagement Center in alignment with other annual giving initiatives;
• Supervises the Engagement Center Supervisor;
• Continues to transition the Engagement Center into a hub of innovation and service to university advancement through calling and texting initiatives around events, portfolio management, stewardship, care calls, etc.;
• Monitors fundraising KPIs such as conversion rates, average gift size, revenue per contact, and donor retention;
• Identifies operational gaps and implements corrective action plans;
• Oversees workforce planning, scheduling efficiency, and resource allocation;
• Collaborates with HR, IT, Training, and other departments to enhance the Engagement Center performance;
• Oversees texting communication that the Engagement Center Supervisor is managing;
• Ensures CRM data integrity;
• In collaboration with Advancement Finance, manages budget related to Engagement Center operations; and
• In the absence of the Engagement Center Supervisor, manages the day to day operations of the Engagement Center, including, but not limited to, setting schedules for calling, managing hiring, and maintaining employee files.
  
  

Coordination with Central Advancement Teams and External Vendors

• Partners with the Advancement team and university colleagues to promote and manage a pipeline of prospects and donors;
• Manages the relationship between George Mason University and Give Campus as it relates to the Engagement Center usage; and
• Partners with Development and Marketing teams to execute multi-channel fundraising campaigns.
  
  

Performs other related duties as assigned and within the scope of the role.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated successful professional advancement/alumni relations and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education;
• Experience managing an engagement, or call center, including hiring, developing schedules, and maintaining employment records;
• Knowledge of fundraising practices in annual giving;
• Working knowledge of Salesforce;
• Knowledge of PhoneIQ software or similar software;
• Knowledge of GiveCampus or similar software;
• Proficient in the use of computers and related software, such as Microsoft Office, and the ability to learn new software quickly;
• Excellent written communication, and research and organizational skills;
• Ability to work effectively with others both in the department and to external colleagues;
• Ability to work in autonomous capacity as well as part of a collaborative team environment;
• Ability to provide effective follow-up and follow-through regarding individual and team performance; and
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Knowledge of Salesforce, Affinaquest or similar; and
• Skill in effective team management.
  
  

Instructions To Applicants

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Next Generation Philanthropy at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Mason Ad Statement

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

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