Director of Annual Giving

Director of Annual Giving

Location: Elon University Campus

Position Title: Director of Annual Giving

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

Days Per Week: Monday - Friday

Hours Per Week: 40

VP Area: University Advancement

Department: University Advancement

The Director of Annual Giving leads a team dedicated to reaching Elon University s annual fundraising and participation goals. The position is expected to be a leader within the University Advancement Division and to help build a positive, productive work culture focused on results. Working in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Engagement and other campus offices, the Director will engage alumni of all ages and stages to build a vibrant alumni network that benefits students and alumni, fostering philanthropy and supporting efforts to increase alumni giving participation.

The Director will provide day-to-day leadership and oversight to growing programs that engage alumni, parents, grandparents and friends of the University, and encourage their financial support at all levels.

As an Elon University employee, you ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Elon is recognized for innovation, care for students and employees, and opportunities for growth and advancement.

Elon University is located in Elon, North Carolina. The surrounding area offers family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. The region provides access to Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham with a range of amenities and communities to explore.

Elon University employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation
• Immediate undergraduate tuition remission
• Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment
• Retirement plan with an 8 percent university contribution
• Health, dental and vision insurance with on-site Health & Wellness Clinic
• Free use of campus fitness facilities
• Free admission to campus performances, events and athletics
• Tuition remission eligibility for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins after two years of service; eligibility for the Tuition Exchange program begins after two years

Elon values and celebrates diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. Elon is an equal opportunity employer. Our principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of identity. Employees are expected to respect human differences, pursue lifelong learning, act with integrity and serve the community.

Bachelor s degree in communications, sales, business, or related field with a minimum of 5 years of experience in higher education, nonprofit fundraising, or a combination of education and experience in sales, volunteer management, recruiting, marketing, or development.

Master s degree in communications, business or higher education.

• Fundraising
  • Develops, maintains, and executes Elon s multi-channel annual giving plan and deploys marketing materials and strategies to achieve growing results for dollars and donors year after year.
  • Oversee and direct a comprehensive solicitation calendar and develop segmentation strategies with colleagues across University Advancement.
  • Liaises with various schools, centers, divisions, boards and councils to develop annual giving, messaging and marketing strategies for constituencies and priorities.
  • Executes a strategic approach to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni as partners, advocates, and investors. Directly manages a portfolio of 50 alumni by encouraging ongoing engagement and leadership giving.
• Strategic Leadership
  • Provide leadership and direction to a team responsible for increasing constituent participation on an annual basis.
  • Lead strategy to grow Elon Society membership and coordinate operations of the annual program.
  • Develop strategies for annual donor segments to retain long-term donors and acquire new donors; align with University Advancement leadership.
  • Provide leadership in executing a successful Elon Day.
• Management and Budget
  • Supervise three Assistant Directors of Annual Giving and staff managing annual giving operations, reunions, volunteer programs, portfolio management and direct solicitations, and Student Outreach.
  • Manage a direct marketing annual giving budget to maximize efficiencies and ensure on-time, on-budget projects.
• Communications and Engagement
  • Partner with Advancement Communications to integrate fundraising efforts with Elon s communications across channels (digital, text, AI, mail, email, phone).
  • Collaborate with Alumni Engagement to coordinate fundraising programs and event strategies for mass fundraising efforts.
  • Coordinate with Donor Relations to ensure mass stewardship programs are effective and integrated with direct marketing.
• Operations
  • Use…