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Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement

William Peace University, Raleigh

William Peace University, Raleigh

Raleigh, NC, USA
Posted on Oct 10, 2024

Positing Details

Position Information
Position Title: Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement
Posting Number: WPU0053217
University Information:
William Peace University is a nationally-ranked, award-winning institution located in one of the best cities in the United States in downtown Raleigh, NC. WPU provides a culture that values diversity, fosters an energized team environment, builds on our strengths, promotes creativity and innovation, and encourages inclusiveness, respect, and open communication by leading with our actions. Our mission is to prepare our students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. The ideal candidate will have the ability to embrace the five core values, mission, and vision of William Peace University. Follow your passion and make an impact at WPU!
Department: Office of Advancement
Purpose of Department:
The Office of Advancement exists to connect alumni and friends to advance the mission of William Peace University. We are responsible for alumni engagement, creating and sustaining community partnerships, friend-raising and fundraising for annual (operating), capital, and endowment campaigns. Our vision is to cultivate a philanthropic culture among our alumni and friends, fostering pathways of support for WPU to provide vibrant learning experiences for our students.
Summary of Position:
The Director is an essential member of the University Advancement team, with responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive annual giving and alumni engagement program. The Director is focused on enhancing alumni loyalty and pride among a diverse alumni community from both Peace College and William Peace University, thereby increasing participation and building financial support through development opportunities. The position is responsible for executing an annual giving and alumni program which focuses on developing lifelong connections to the University through the Peace experience. The Director will encourage early relationships through a student-alumni program, strengthen alumni relationships with the University, and promote pride in WPU. The Director has responsibility for management of the Alumni Board and Board giving projects; alumni regional events and clubs; Alumni Weekend; Annual giving events, student giving programs; and the Alumni Mentorship Program. The Director also ensures success with annual giving societies and handles a prospect portfolio of $5K donors.

This is an on-site position with the potential for occassional remote work
Essential duties and responsibilities:
  • Support WPU and University Advancement strategies and assist the VP for University Advancement to plan, organize, and implement annual departmental goals and objectives.
  • Develop and manage a comprehensive annual giving program, including the coordination of and oversight for supporting initiatives in the areas of development services and donor relations, through a coordinated matrix of communication and solicitation strategies involving email, direct mail, phone, social media, personal visits, events and volunteer engagement, all focused on shaping a sustainable tradition of annual support.
  • Manage a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy and communication strategy, working collaboratively with the University Advancement team, to strengthen relationships between the University and its alumni to enhance WPU through local, regional, and national engagement and volunteer opportunities.
  • Develop and executean alumni engagement strategy to continually increase alumni support both financially and in participation
  • Foster the growth of best practices in the supporting areas of gift processing, data management and donor relations (working with Advancement colleagues) as related to annual giving and the University as a whole.
  • In collaboration with the Director of Advancement Services, implement measurable and applied metrics for success, maintaining an on-going evaluation and reporting system for annual giving and alumni activities.
  • Oversee the relationship with the Alumni Board of Directors providing strategic direction, and empowering volunteers in the work of recruiting new members, scheduling meetings, holding elections, and executing outreach and fundraising strategies.
  • Guide the Alumni Board in being productive in accordance with University Advancement goals and in meaningful ways for them to contribute to, and be engaged with, the life of WPU.
  • Identify potential channels and activities for alumni engagement including the development of a regional clubs program and a program for young alumni with support from other Advancement staff
  • Manage programs to educate and inspire current students to appreciate the value of a life-long relationship with WPU. Educate graduating students about alumni benefits and engage them in alumni programs.
  • Work with the Senior Class executive officers to launch and complete annual senior class gift and brick sales program and oversee other student giving programs.
  • Collaborate and partner with University Advancement colleagues and other WPU departments in increasing support from alumni; routinely identifying and qualifying alumni prospects for gifts and leadership positions; communicate development-related activities and newsworthy stories via written contact reports, and periodic attendance at prospect management meetings.
  • Oversee annual giving, which may include phone-a-thons, faculty/staff campaigns, crowdfunding programs, senior gift and other programs
  • Support the overall stewardship program for the Advancement office
  • Provide oversight and develop a strategy for increasing alumni participation and gift amounts in annual giving to The Loyalty Fund.
  • Foster alumni support in collaboration with the WPU Athletics, WPU Theatre and other departmental staff to increase overall giving to key designated area.
  • Annually develop a pool of 25-50 prospective donors to the University, developing and maintaining good relationships, and working with Advancement colleagues, to make a leadership gift ask.
  • Raise funds for select special projects and events in collaboration with Advancement colleagues.
  • Develop and direct Alumni events, reunion activities, and special reunions with support from other Advancement staff.
  • With support from other Advancement staff, develop a formal plan to begin working with major reunion year classes two and ideally three years ahead, to plan their return for Alumni (Reunion) Weekend and to promote participation in class gifts. Also identify potential alumni award recipients to Alumni Board for awards ceremony during Alumni festivities.
  • Assist in the development of and provide oversight for the alumni relations and annual giving budget. Manage budget requests, maintains records; reviews budget and expenditures for all programs administered.
  • Contribute to the production of quality communications and publications (print and online) by working closely with colleagues regarding content and assisting with distribution to all alumni and friends of the University.
  • Encourage volunteerism by serving as a role model, motivating volunteers to participate in a wide variety of University projects, and reaffirming the importance which volunteerism has to the success of the projects, and the value of volunteerism to the University and the volunteers themselves, especially in developing involvement of young alumni.
  • Manage and oversee alumni sponsored scholarships and awards. This includes, nominations, selection process, research and recognition programming and in many cases, this involves alumni volunteer leadership from the Alumni Board, as well as, other members of the WPU community.
  • Partner with Admissions to involve alumni and parents in the recruitment of students to WPU, including Legacy admissions letters and campus visits.
  • Collaborate with the Office of Academic and Career Advising and other colleagues to grow and develop career networking services for alumni, including adding to the growing list of internship opportunities offered by our alumni to current students.
  • Foster good relationships with various constituencies of the University by responding to inquiries, both verbal and written, directed to the alumni office regarding a variety of issues and concerns including the status or location of graduates, affiliation procedures and policies, upcoming alumni activities and events, affinity partnerships, or other associated matters.
  • Contribute to the overall success of the Office by working on special projects and performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President.
  • Effectively work with a diverse population of employees, students, donors, vendors, visitors, and guests.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
May supervise and direct student workers/interns. Supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; evaluating performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.

Minimum Qualifications:
Four-year degree in public relations, marketing, communications, or related field with four years of experience in alumni relations, donor relations, and/or annual giving within higher education or other relevant entity. Must have a strong understanding of alumni giving strategies and annual fund operations; experience in using development software; and excellent computer skills including Google and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). In addition, the position requires experience in small and large group presentation skills; web (HTML and content management programs), social media, and other electronic communications experience; and volunteer recruitment and management experience. Successful candidates will be well-organized with attention to detail, including organization, prioritization, judgment, discretion and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent customer service skills and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Preferred Qualifications:
Intermediate or advanced experience in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point); publishing software (Adobe suite) and intermediate or advanced experience in Raiser’s Edge, Jenzabar EX, or similar CRM (alumni) database maintenance and reporting.

Hours per week: Full-Time, 12 Month
Job Posting Date: 10/09/2024
Priority Deadline: 10/23/2024
Priority Deadline Information:

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by the Priority Date; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents
  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
Optional Documents
  1. Letter of Recommendation