Assistant Director, Annual Giving

Assistant Director, Annual Giving – Duke University

Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools, ranking sixth among medical schools in the nation. It provides a world‑class academic medical center and works to translate scientific discoveries into improved human health.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (in‑office minimum 2 days per week), with full‑time residency within a 50‑mile radius of the downtown Durham office. Remote work is not permitted.

Compensation: Annual base salary USD $61,535.00 to $95,880.00. Total compensation includes comprehensive medical and dental care, robust retirement benefits, and a range of family‑friendly and cultural programs.

Department Preferences/

Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience developing communication plans (mail, email, text, social, digital).
• Understanding of fundraising databases and tracking mechanisms.
• Graphic design experience in Canva or Adobe Suite (preferred).

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience in web, text, and email platforms (preferred).
• Three (3) years progressive fundraising/customer relations/marketing or sales and promotions experience in a team environment.
• Proven verbal and written communication skills and computer experience with Windows.

Education/Training: Bachelor's degree (work requires the skills and knowledge normally acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree).

Relevant

Experience:

Equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience is acceptable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and execute a comprehensive annual giving strategy aligned with the One Duke Health approach.
• Project manage annual giving solicitations, including writing, graphic design, data management, and analysis.
• Oversee development and implementation of print and digital communications with internal partners and external vendors.
• Generate solicitation content for mail, email, text, websites, and social media channels.
• Coordinate with SOM Strategic Communications and Duke Health Marketing to ensure proper brand use.
• Encourage donor and patient stories while meeting HIPAA standards.
• Collaborate with gift officers to identify matching gift opportunities.
• Assist leadership in determining feasibility and funding strategies for new and ongoing programs.
• Plan and establish goals aligned with organizational objectives.

• Enhance donor retention and loyalty through personalized outreach.
• Use digital platforms for continuous donor engagement (welcome series, e‑newsletters).
• Design digital cultivation journeys and e‑newsletters to steward engagement.
• Develop innovative donor engagement techniques (crowdfunding, peer‑to‑peer).
• Assist in creating a comprehensive employee giving campaign.

• Use data metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of direct marketing campaigns.
• Maintain tracking, acknowledgement, and follow‑up on all annual giving gifts.
• Determine fiscal requirements, prepare budget recommendations, and monitor expenditures.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical

Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.