Associate Director, Generation Philanthropy

Associate Director, Next Generation Philanthropy

External Relations at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill the role of Associate Director, Next Generation Philanthropy. The University of Virginia has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented, and resourceful professionals. Our community comprises a robust central advancement organization, 12 University schools, and more than 25 University-related programs. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Next Generation Philanthropy provides strategic leadership for University Annual Giving and Stewardship's (UAG&S) student and recent undergraduate philanthropy efforts, with particular emphasis on the alumni journey from matriculation through the fifth-year reunion. Reporting to the Director, Virtual Philanthropy, this role is responsible for developing and executing a cohesive, multi-channel engagement strategy that integrates marketing, cross-Grounds partnerships, events, 1:1 outreach, solicitation, and stewardship for students and young alumni.

The Associate Director supervises the Assistant Director, Next Generation Philanthropy, and student interns, translating high-level strategy into clear priorities, governance, and execution. This role serves as the strategic lead of the Next Gen program and its execution, ensuring alignment between student engagement, young alumni fundraising, and long-term donor pipeline development.

• Develop a comprehensive Next Gen and young alumni engagement strategy, with a focus on the transition from student philanthropy to sustained engagement through the fifth-year reunion.
• Implement the created strategy with the Assistant Director, Next Generation Philanthropy.
• Establish annual goals, KPIs, and success measures for student and young alumni philanthropy, including participation, retention, and stewardship outcomes.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the Office of Engagement, including Lifetime Learning and the UVA Clubs Global Network, to create and expand engagement offerings for the Next Gen audience.
• Serve as the primary strategic partner to schools, units, and cross-Grounds stakeholders engaging students and young alumni, aligning efforts with central Annual Giving priorities.
• Design strategic frameworks for major Next Gen initiatives and campaigns, clarifying objectives, target audiences, positioning, and criteria for success.
• Use performance data and constituent insights to refine strategy, adjust priorities, and inform future program direction.

Management & Team Leadership

• Supervise the Assistant Director, Next Generation Philanthropy, providing strategic oversight, feedback, and approval for campaigns, messaging, timelines, and project summaries.
• Supervise student interns, including roles supporting social media, peer education, and student outreach.
• Create clear decision-making frameworks and workflows that empower execution while maintaining alignment with strategic priorities and quality standards.

Next Gen Direct Marketing Solicitations

• Lead the strategy, planning, and execution of direct marketing solicitation efforts for students and young alumni, including email, text, paid and organic social media, and digital giving platforms.
• Personally oversee and, when appropriate, execute high-impact solicitations within direct marketing channels, particularly for complex or high-visibility initiatives.
• Review and approve messaging, creative concepts, and deployment plans developed in collaboration with the Assistant Director and UAG&S Direct Marketing partners.
• Monitor solicitation performance and donor response, using results to optimize future outreach and improve retention.

Campaign and Next Gen Donor Experience Oversight

• Coordinate major Next Gen initiatives and events by working with marketing, event experience, stewardship, and on-Grounds partners. Especially for:
• Hoos Grateful: A university-wide day of stewardship where students write thank-you notes and record videos for donors while learning about…