Associate Director, Annual Giving

Position Summary

The Associate Director of Annual Giving reports to the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations and partners with senior leadership to set and execute the University’s annual fundraising strategy. This role leads the development and implementation of integrated annual giving initiatives—leadership annual giving, direct response, crowdfunding, and digital outreach—to drive growth in donors and dollars.

The Associate Director plays a key role in building and managing the Leadership Annual Giving program, with a focus on qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors with capacity between $1,000 and $50,000. They maintain a portfolio of leadership prospects, support the development of a strong donor pipeline, and facilitate the transition of qualified donors to major gift portfolios.

This position also advances engagement through personalized outreach, strategic stewardship, reunion giving, and fundraising events, ensuring a coordinated and donor-centered approach to annual giving growth. The role supervises two employees – an assistant director of annual giving and annual giving associate.

Bryant is recognized as a top 1 percent national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, QS Stars, Money, Bloomberg Business week, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant’s strategic plan, Vision 2030, redefines higher education through a commitment to providing students with a transformational learning experience. Vision 2030 accelerates advancements in academic innovation, experiential learning, vibrant student life, Division I athletics, and a connected community that fosters belonging and success.

Partner with the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations and senior leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive annual giving strategy for the Bryant Fund, with a focus on increasing participation and revenue annually.

• Manage integrated annual giving solicitation programs, including direct mail, digital solicitations to drive leadership annual giving, with KPIs tied to revenue and donor growth, increased retention, upgrades, and membership to annual giving societies.
• Collaborate with Leadership, Major, and Principal Gift Officers to support pipeline development, donor qualification, and transitions to major gift portfolios.
• Maintain accurate donor records, including moves management, contact reports, and data updates for reporting and analysis.
• Partner with advancement operations and prospect development on implementing AI, data analytics and data mining to review portfolios, move donors through the philanthropic cycle and develop targeted and measureable solicitation strategies.
• Support and implement a comprehensive stewardship program to enhance donor recognition, engagement, retention, and long‑term pipeline growth.
• Represent the University at key events and donor engagements as needed.

Lead the planning and execution of annual giving fundraising events that drive engagement and fundraising results.

• Manage signature fundraising initiatives such as Bryant Giving Day and the Destination Newport and President’s Cup Golf Tournament, and special fundraising initiatives on campus or part of regional programs. Includes setting targets, developing and executing fundraising strategy and communication plans, ensuring achievement of participation and revenue goals, generating ROI analysis annually.
• Oversee volunteer recruitment, meetings with volunteers and committees, timelines, communications, and event logistics to ensure seamless execution and support of volunteer experience – including lead gifts from volunteers.
• Partner with Alumni and Parent Engagement, Donor Experiences and Development, as well as campus partners such as Strategic Partnerships on University fundraising initiatives.
• Collaborate with vendors, designers, and internal partners to produce high-quality solicitation and stewardship materials aligned with institutional priorities.

Develop and…