The executive director of annual giving has primary responsibility to provide the strategic leadership of a university-wide comprehensive, multi-channel annual and special giving program, representing Case Western Reserve University’s highest strategic priorities that impact CWRU’s future and national reputation, to increase philanthropic support for the university. This position is responsible for the development of overall plans and programs promoting the strategic engagement of Case Western Reserve University’s 113,000 living alumni to maximize annual philanthropic support for the university. The executive director will prioritize team building and positioning for the unprecedented expansion of the university-wide annual and special giving program fundraising goal to secure $20 million annually in current-use operating dollars to achieve sustainable increases in philanthropic gifts available to support the university’s and school/college dean’s highest priorities and initiatives.

The executive director manages an annual and special giving team that are responsible for visioning, creating and implementing the university’s annual giving programs and that must collaborate and coordinate efforts across the senior management and development operations of CWRU in order to achieve desired fundraising outcomes. The incumbent raises leadership annual and special gifts ($25,000 to $100,000) as part of the university’s annual and special giving program. 

The executive director will rely on past experiences in development and fundraising but continue to stay consistent and up to date with emerging trends in philanthropy. It is essential that the executive director lead by example and foster an environment of teamwork and collaboration as well as accountability. As an experienced professional, the executive director is expected to engage in direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors, and collaborate with University Relations and Development in developing strategies for the university’s fundraising programs.

The executive director will serve as a strategic advisor to the school/college’s annual and special giving teams, overseeing all school-based annual and special giving efforts. This position will serve as a member of the senior development staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage a portfolio of special giving prospects with giving potential in the range of $25,000 to $100,000 to achieve annual goals for personal visits and giving outcomes. Develop and implement strategic cultivation, solicitation and/or engagement strategies for each prospect to maximize special gifts to the university. (30%)
• Lead and implement university-wide, multi-channel annual and special giving strategy and activities to expand and secure $20 million, annually, in preparation for the next comprehensive campaign and with the goal of increasing current-use operating dollars to achieve sustainable increases in philanthropic gifts available to support the university’s and school/college dean’s highest priorities and initiatives. Maximize lifetime engagement and philanthropic support of CWRU’s alumni and other stakeholders in coordination with development, annual giving, alumni relations, communications and donor relations colleagues across the university. Supervise a team of four annual and special giving professionals and additional annual and special giving staff in the schools and college. (25%)
• Develop and implement engagement and fundraising strategies using face-to-face and digital methods that increase the flow of donors through the development cycle from qualification to stewardship, taking primary responsibility for continually increasing the university’s pipeline of major gift ($100K+) donors who are ready to make a major gift with the goal of increasing current-use revenue and developing six and seven figure prospects for the next comprehensive campaign. Develop, implement and monitor goals, metrics and reporting to achieve desired outcomes. (10%)
• Create, implement and oversee the university’s multi-channel digital engagement and solicitation strategy for CWRU’s 100,000+ donors and prospects to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward alumni, friends and families with the goal of acquiring new donors, and retaining and upgrading existing donors of $10,000 or less. Oversee the development of annual engagement campaigns for cohorts of donors and prospects using targeted messaging related to their affinities and interests and utilizing multiple digital platforms for execution including email, text messaging, ThankView videos, and phone calls in combination with personal face-to-face interaction. Analyze and oversee the segmentation of data to identify cohorts of donors and prospects for digital campaigns and to develop insights that will determine annual campaign strategies. Stay updated on best practices regarding digital engagement and fundraising strategies and technology. (10%)
• Serve as the primary strategic advisor to school and college development officers to engage and cultivate individuals who have capacity to make gifts of $10,000 to $100,000 to the university. Set goals and objectives for each school and college and oversee progress and report on results. (12.5%)
• Lead and oversee the planning, strategy development and execution of all crowdfunding initiatives including the university-wide annual ALL IN Day of Giving digital fundraising campaign. Serve as a strategic advisor to and collaborate with staff in the schools and college, alumni relations, and central development to achieve campaign fundraising goals. (7.5%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Partner with the associate vice president of alumni relations in the development and implementation of program strategies with the common goal of building awareness of, engagement with and giving to university-wide programs through alumni giving, student giving, reunion giving, and affinity-based giving programs. (5%)
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with the vice president and staff as required to perform essential functions.

University: Daily contact with the president’s office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.

External: Contact with trustees, alumni, donors, friends of the university, vendors and volunteers as required to perform essential functions.

Students: Contact with students as required to perform essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervising a staff of four annual and special giving professionals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 10 or more years of progressive professional experience in higher education administration, external relations, or related. Fundraising experience in a nonprofit or higher education environment, with a focus on annual fund programs and frontline/digital fundraising including expertise in fundraising metrics and benchmarks, is preferred.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with all levels of staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and prospective donors.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Demonstrated success implementing successful projects or initiatives with clear goals and objectives.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Experience organizing and managing volunteer organizations.
• Knowledge of the issues and opportunities facing higher education.
• Ability to deal with issues and cultures throughout the nation and beyond.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment, occasional nights and weekend hours. Regular travel required.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.