Executive Director of Annual Giving & Donor Engagement

A mission-driven private university seeks an experienced and strategic advancement professional to serve as Executive Director of Annual Giving & Donor Engagement. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for designing, executing, and continuously optimizing a comprehensive annual giving strategy that drives donor participation, engagement, and philanthropic revenue across multiple constituencies.

The Executive Director will play a central role in shaping the future direction of annual philanthropy, bringing a data-informed and innovative approach to campaign planning, channel strategy, and donor experience. This position is ideal for a hands-on leader who is equally comfortable developing strategy and executing tactics, and who thrives in a collaborative, team-oriented advancement environment.

This is an on-site position with some flexibility as needed.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to the Senior Vice President for University Advancement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, multi-channel annual giving strategy, including direct mail, digital campaigns, giving days, participation initiatives, and emerging engagement channels (e.g., text-to-give, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer).
• Analyze performance data and donor insights to inform strategy, optimize campaigns, and identify new growth opportunities.
• Design and implement innovative approaches to donor acquisition, retention, and upgrade, with a focus on expanding participation and strengthening donor engagement.
• Oversee planning and execution of multiple annual solicitation cycles, including messaging, segmentation, creative direction, and performance evaluation.
• Collaborate closely with advancement colleagues across major gifts, alumni engagement, stewardship, and communications to ensure alignment and maximize impact.
• Provide strategic input on campaign design, creative assets, and donor communications, including appeal writing and messaging development.
• Build infrastructure and processes to support scalable growth in annual giving programs.
• Supervise and mentor staff as the team structure evolves, with anticipated direct reports transitioning into the department after onboarding.
• Contribute to a collaborative advancement culture, including participation in events and cross-functional initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 4–5 years of progressive experience in annual giving or related fundraising functions, with demonstrated depth of knowledge in annual fund strategy and execution.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience preferred but not required.
• Strong analytical orientation with the ability to interpret data and translate insights into actionable strategy.
• Experience managing multi-channel fundraising campaigns, including direct mail and digital platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, challenge assumptions, and propose new ideas grounded in data and donor behavior.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing fundraising messaging and appeals.
• Collaborative, team-focused mindset with a willingness to be hands-on and adaptable.
• Experience in higher education advancement is preferred, though candidates from other nonprofit sectors will be considered.
• Familiarity with fundraising and engagement platforms such as CRM systems, email marketing tools, crowdfunding platforms, and giving day technologies is helpful (experience with GiveCampus is a plus).