What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Annual Giving position at Episcopal High School?
Episcopal High School is seeking a director of annual giving to join the School’s advancement team. The director of annual giving is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for the vision, execution, and growth of the “Roll Call,” Episcopal’s annual giving program. Reporting to the director of development, this role integrates high-level strategy with creative execution and data-driven decision-making. The director of annual giving partners with the associate director of annual giving, parent programs to foster a culture of philanthropy among alumni, parents, grandparents, students, and friends of the School, while ensuring efficient internal operations.
Guided by its founding principles of honor, academic distinction, spiritual growth, and community, Episcopal High School is a 100% boarding school located in Alexandria, Va., serving 440 students in grades 9-12. By fostering strong relationships and school pride, the advancement team plays an integral role in engaging all members of the community to actively support the School’s mission and strategic priorities.
Core Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Team Management
- Team Development: Manage and support associate director of annual giving, parent programs, by setting clear goals, providing consistent coaching, and maintaining high levels of accountability.
- Program Oversight: Serve as the primary architect of the Roll Call solicitation strategy and annual calendar, ensuring all efforts align with broader advancement goals.
- Pipeline Management: Track top annual fund prospects and coordinate closely with leadership gift officers to ensure timely and collaborative solicitation strategies.
2. Multi-Channel Solicitation & Communications
- Creative Conception: Partner with the assistant director of development communications to create, design, and produce Roll Call solicitations and educational messaging about the impact of philanthropy.
- Segmentation: Define and segment audiences to deliver highly relevant messages across print, digital, and social media platforms.
- Brand Collaboration: Partner with the communications team and outside vendors to produce brochures, magazine ads, videos, and social media content.
- Digital Innovation: Lead conception and planning for the annual day of giving and maintain all public-facing giving platforms, including the website and GiveCampus platform.
3. Volunteer Management & Outreach
- Alumni Engagement: Recruit and manage alumni class chairs; provide logistical support and strategic guidance to empower them as effective peer solicitors.
- Direct Outreach: Coordinate team-wide outreach efforts; personally conduct one-on-one solicitations for leadership and mid-level annual gifts.
- Student Philanthropy: Foster an understanding of giving among current students, working with student members of the Young Alumni Leadership Program (YALP) and organizing the Senior Class giving effort.
4. Data, Technology & Operations
- Platform Mastery: Strategically utilize the GiveCampus suite (online giving, Volunteer Management System, GC Outreach, texting, etc.) to enhance the donor experience.
- Data Integrity: Manage the flow of data between Raiser’s Edge and GiveCampus; oversee the annual update of alumni and parent “target ask” amounts.
5. Stewardship & Events
- Donor Recognition: Work with the stewardship team to ensure that all Roll Call donors are thanked and stewarded appropriately.
- Event Staffing: Serve as a key representative of the advancement team at major school events, including Family Weekends, Spirit Weekend, Reunion Weekend, and regional receptions.
Key Qualifications
- Experience: Proven track record in annual fund management, preferably in an independent school or higher education setting.
- Technical Skills: Expertise in Raiser’s Edge NXT and GiveCampus (or similar CRM and online giving platforms).
- Communications: Exceptional writing and editing skills with the ability to design compelling solicitations.
- Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to manage staff and motivate high-level volunteers.
- Adaptability: Ability to balance high-level strategic planning with the "boots-on-the-ground" logistics of a busy advancement office.
The position is full-time, year-round, in-office, and is available beginning July 2026. As a staff position, this role does not qualify for on-campus housing.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Episcopal High School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, disability or any other protected category in accordance with applicable Federal, State and local laws.