Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Strategic Communications

Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Strategic Communications

We’re looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora. The Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Strategic Communications is responsible for organising, planning, and managing the University’s annual giving program, collaborating on communications projects, and raising the visibility of the University.

$65,000.00 – $75,000.00 per year

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Strategic Communications manages the annual giving program, establishing and broadening a base of annual contributors and volunteers for future major gift efforts. The role also collaborates on communications projects with Advancement and University Communications to increase engagement with key audiences.

• Represents Aurora University positively with prospective, former, and current stakeholders.
• Upholds the Mission Statement:
  Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning.
• Handles all information with tact and discretion, recognising confidentiality.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performs other duties as assigned, including volunteer participation in university committees, activities, and events.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving program to acquire, retain, and upgrade annual donors.
• Collaborate with university partners on philanthropic communications via email, direct mail, phone, online giving, social media, and targeted digital outreach to execute effective solicitation and engagement campaigns.
• Coordinate annual giving initiatives including the AU Day of Generosity, reunion class giving, and affinity‑based campaigns.
• Serve as the liaison between OPE and University Marketing Communications, ensuring alignment and collaboration on messaging, branding, and promotional strategies for fundraising, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship initiatives.
• Develop tools, processes, procedures, policies, and materials to support the annual giving program, peer‑to‑peer fundraising efforts, and campus partners to ensure a seamless and positive donor experience.
• Act as prospect manager for select annual fund gift prospects, donors and volunteers.
• Direct the development of comprehensive annual fund strategies in alignment with University and department‑approved priority projects.
• Develop annual donor materials and other OPE communications.
• Research, write, and edit a variety of communications, publications, and reports.
• Develop and manage digital and print communication projects.
• Act as content development resource for the Office of Philanthropy & Engagement.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

Experience: At least three years of successful experience with a fundraising program.

• Understanding of relational databases and report‑writing systems; knowledge of Raiser’s Edge strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, best practices, methods, and standards.
• Experience working with data to inform all aspects of annual giving or related equivalent experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with internal and external constituents.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as a team player.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/functions to produce quality results in a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse working and learning environment.
• Strong organizational and detail‑orientation skills.

Ability to move about campus, interact via telephone, in person, and via electronic media.

Anticipated pay: $65,000 – $75,000 per year. The pay range referenced is the budgeted amount; final pay will not be below the lowest listed rate.

• Health, dental, life, vision, long‑term disability, and tuition remission.
• 403(b) retirement plan administered by TIAA, with matching contributions offered on the first day of employment.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical costs and dependent care.
• Paid Time Off: vacation, personal, and sick leave; observation of nine major holidays.
• Tuition Assistance for AU undergraduate and graduate courses, with additional eligibility under the Tuition Exchange Consortium.
• Life Insurance and AD&D at 1.5 × annual salary; optional additional coverage.
• Long‑term disability at 60% of salary.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position is not remote; will require onsite or hybrid work within the Chicagoland area.