What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement position at Nebraska Wesleyan University?
Nebraska Wesleyan University seeks a full-time Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement. This role is responsible for planning and executing annual giving campaigns and donor/alumni engagement programs to grow support for NWU and increase donor participation and retention.
Focus will be on executing the annual giving program by developing engagement, solicitation, and stewardship plans while leveraging university resources to achieve goals set by the Board of Governors and university leadership. This role will also oversee the Student Philanthropy Center, utilizing phone, mail, email, social media and web channels to
drive annual giving and strengthen donor and alumni relations.
Key Responsibilities:
Plan, implement, and evaluate the annual giving program in collaboration with the Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement and external partners.
o Develop strategies for constituent segmentation and messaging to increase donors and revenue.
o Create communication and engagement plans for alumni, parents, former Board of Governors members, Emeriti faculty/staff, and other groups.
o Build and maintain an annual solicitation and stewardship calendar with Advancement and Marketing teams.
Manage the student Philanthropy Center.
o Develop segmentation, messaging, and caller training strategy to improve overall program results and efficiency. Create and regularly revise training materials.
o Recruit, hire, train, and supervise student staff; manage payroll.
Plan, implement and evaluate the alumni engagement program in collaboration with the Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement.
o Support the recruitment, training, and development of the Alumni Association Council focused on engaging alumni and promoting alumni/student interaction.
o Partner with Advancement colleagues to cultivate and steward alumni giving and event participation.
o Assist with signature events such as Wesleyan Weekend, Black & Gold, Legends & Legacies and Giving Day.
Manage a portfolio of up to 125 annual giving donors and prospects.
Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field (or equivalent experience).
· 3–5 years of experience in marketing, fundraising, or related areas.
· Experience managing volunteers, student workers, or interns.
· Knowledge of fundraising best practices, annual giving, and donor relations preferred.
· Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
· Experience with social media strategies and project management.
· Technical experience with a CRM (e.g. Raiser’s Edge) and a creative design platform (e.g. Canva).
· Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently to meet deadlines.
· Understanding of NWU’s mission and/or liberal arts education.