Assistant Director, Development & Alumni Relations, Annual Giving

Our Mission:
Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harnesses the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. We build an outstanding team of dynamic, mission‑driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs.

Each year alumni, students, parents, and friends choose to support everything from softballs to software se gifts fund research, provide emergency student assistance, pay for travel to academic conferences, and support many other university needs.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Annual Giving, the Assistant Director will actively support the direct marketing programs aimed at increasing donor participation. Responsibilities include creating and executing appeal letters and emails, building and cleaning data lists, collaborating with internal and external vendors, and managing projects. A hybrid work arrangement is available.

• Coordinate and implement direct mail and email campaigns.
• Work with external printing vendor to produce and mail solicitations and stewardship appeals.
• Ensure all annual giving projects are completed and deployed on time.
• Develop audience segments and messaging for annual giving solicitations.
• Collaborate with internal partners to design, write, and produce solicitation materials.
• Collaborate with the Data Analyst to produce reporting that informs future marketing strategies for schools/units.
• Communicate central annual giving strategies and best practices with schools/units.
• Manage master direct marketing calendar, ensuring projects stay on schedule and status updates are visible to all team members.
• Perform other duties as requested by the annual giving team to meet department goals.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three years of relevant experience.
• Preferably two years of higher education development, direct marketing, or related experience.
• Strong project management skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Sales Force Marketing Cloud.
• Excellent organizational skills, managing multiple projects with strict deadlines.
• Ability to build partnerships and maximize relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail.

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to belonging.
• Integrity in work and interactions.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity for fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement for individuals and the team.
• Joy and shared appreciation in working toward meaningful goals.

Cover letter required for consideration. If you are hesitant because you have not performed every responsibility listed but possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still welcome your application.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617‑358‑1796.