The Assistant/Associate Director of Annual Giving & Campaigns serves as the chief executor of the Annual Giving & Campaigns appeals program, which activates support from constituents through broad and segmented communications in ways that advance Luther’s mission. This position provides oversight and fundraising strategy on all annual appeals, providing data-informed strategy and analysis for Luther’s overall annual giving plan. In addition, this position will strengthen and further develop the major gift pipeline through both collaborative strategic programming and individual solicitations that increase the number of mid-tier, leadership-level gifts that advance the College’s mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Annual Giving appeal management (50%)

• Manage an annual giving appeals program that supports the Annual Giving & Campaigns’ goals and Luther’s funding priorities (current funding priorities include, but are not limited to, the Luther Fund and the Norse Athletic Association). Provide regular evaluation and analysis of strategies and methods.
• Craft and organize multichannel appeals, in collaboration with the rest of the Annual Giving & Campaigns team, for both broad and segmented audiences to maximize engagement and response.
• Develop segmentation strategies and ask matrices for annual appeals, with an emphasis on donor retention based on past performance and strengthening the donor pipeline;
• Coordinate with the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Athletics department in managing the Norse Athletic Association (NAA), including, but not limited to: business sponsorships, fundraising events, appeals, and stewardship.
• In collaboration with Development teams and systems, develop internal systems and procedures that support sustainable and strategic movement towards both overall and intermediate goals.
• Provide regular evaluation and analysis of each appeal with regard to revenue, ROI, donor retention and other metrics important to the Annual Giving & Campaigns team, providing data-informed recommendations as shifts in strategy and approach are required.

Leadership Annual Giving/Pipeline development (40%)

• Develop and strengthen cross-functional strategies and programs that activate donors to maximize their giving potential in ways that are strategic for Luther and meaningful for donors.
• Collaborate with the Major Gifts and Alumni & Engagement teams to strengthen the strategic development of donor pipelines for Luther’s current funding priorities, particularly through the management of challenge sponsorships for giving days and affinity reunions.
• Execute strategies for increasing leadership annual giving (annual gifts of $1,500+) for the College’s current and ongoing funding priorities through the development of sustainable and strategic programs. This may include the testing, implementation, and evaluation of a digital-first, mid-level giving program.
• Qualify, solicit, and steward donor prospects with leadership annual gift potential.

Other duties as assigned (10%)

• Participate in team meetings for the Annual Giving & Campaigns team, along with other meetings in the division and around campus in which this role will provide collaborative and cross-team support.
• Contribute to the overall success of the Development and Engagement office through teamwork and collaboration.
• Advance equity-centered principles, practices, and learning within the Development division and across campus.
• Cultivate community relationships and networks that support Luther’s advancement.
• Represent Luther as a professional collaborator at public functions and events, including social and professional gatherings.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Student work: potential to supervise student work(ers)

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree minimum;
• Degree from a liberal-arts college preferred.

Experience:

• Assistant Director: 1-3 years of experience in annual giving, development, advancement services, or related field.
• Associate Director: 3+ years of experience in annual giving, development, advancement services, or related field.

Skills/Abilities:

• Fundraising: Knowledge of philanthropic principles, practices, and emerging trends. Proven success in developing creative, revenue-producing solicitations through direct mail, online giving, telemarketing, and/or personal solicitation.
• Project Management and Planning: Excellent skills in managing projects, evaluating priorities, and allocating and managing resources to meet deadlines and outcomes.
• Donor and Volunteer Engagement: Proficiency in effectively engaging donors and volunteers, cultivating relationships, and stewarding their support throughout the donor life cycle.
• Communication proficiency: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to develop compelling proposals, deliver presentations, and connect professionally and sincerely with constituents.
• Relationship building and collaboration: Adept at establishing and nurturing strong relationships with internal colleagues across the College, earning their trust and confidence across all levels, fostering a strengths-based environment that achieves common goals with flexibility and integrity.
• Systems Proficiency: Knowledge of CRM systems and practices – particularly a willingness to learn Slate Advancement – and a strong working knowledge of Google office and shared drives for collaboration purposes.
• Inclusive and Equity-Centered Approach: Demonstrated willingness to promote and contribute to a workplace culture that supports equity, diversity, and inclusion, and advocate for individuals of all ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.
• Continuous Learning and Growth: Engages in a culture of learning, staying up to date on established and emerging trends in fundraising and constituent engagement, including current and emerging technologies and systems that support effective fundraising and engagement.
• Alignment with Organizational Values: Ability to clearly represent the mission and vision of Luther College as a residential, Lutheran, liberal arts college.