The University of Detroit Mercy seeks an enthusiastic and dedicated Assistant Director of Annual Giving to join our Advancement team. This position plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of philanthropy within the university community by managing student philanthropy initiatives, including the senior class gift campaign, young alumni engagement, parent giving, employee giving, the matching gift program, and reunion giving. The Assistant Director will work collaboratively with various stakeholders to achieve annual fundraising goals, enhance donor engagement, and promote a lifelong commitment to the university.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Student Philanthropy:

• Lead and manage the senior class gift campaign, working closely with graduating students to encourage participation and instill a tradition of giving.
• Develop and implement programs to educate and engage students in philanthropy, fostering a spirit of generosity and involvement from the freshman year through graduation.
• Coordinate events and activities that promote student giving and recognize student donors.

Young Alumni Engagement: 

• Develop and implement strategies to engage young alumni (graduates from the last decade) in the university’s annual giving programs.
• Create and manage events, communications, and campaigns specifically targeted at young alumni to foster continued connection and support.
• Work with young alumni volunteers and advisory groups to increase participation and cultivate future leadership donors.

Parent Giving: 

• Design and execute strategies to engage parents in the university’s philanthropic efforts, encouraging their support for various university initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Parents Council and other parent volunteer groups to strengthen relationships and increase parent participation in giving.

Employee Giving:

• Oversee the university’s employee giving program, encouraging faculty and staff to support the institution through charitable contributions.
• Develop and implement initiatives to increase employee participation and recognize employee donors.

Matching Gift Program:

• Manage the matching gift program, working with donors and their employers to maximize the impact of their contributions.
• Promote the matching gift program to alumni, parents, employees, and friends of the university to increase awareness and participation.

Reunion Giving:

• Coordinate reunion giving programs, working with alumni celebrating milestone reunions to encourage special gifts in honor of their class.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage reunion classes, including personalized outreach, events, and recognition opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Alumni Relations team to integrate reunion activities with fundraising efforts, maximizing participation and support.

General Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and execution of annual giving campaigns, including direct mail, email, social media, and other communication channels.
• Work with the Director of Annual Giving to identify and cultivate prospective donors, leveraging data and analytics to inform strategies.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the Advancement team and other university departments to support comprehensive fundraising initiatives.
• Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and contributions in the university’s CRM, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and E7, system.
• Prepare reports and analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of annual giving programs and make recommendations for improvement.
• Represent the university at events and activities, both on and off-campus, to promote the university’s mission and fundraising goals.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Education – A college degree

Experience – Two years to five years (Equivalent combination of education and employment).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Strong Interpersonal Skills:

• Empathy and Active Listening: Ability to understand and relate to the unique needs and experiences of students and young alumni.
• Relationship Building: Skilled in building and maintaining relationships, which is essential for fostering long-term engagement and support.

Communication Skills:

• Effective Communication: Proficient in both written and verbal communication, able to articulate the institution’s mission, values, and needs clearly.
• Social Media Savvy: Knowledgeable about various social media platforms and how to use them effectively to engage with a younger audience.

Engagement and Outreach:

• Event Planning: Experience in organizing events that appeal to students and young alumni.
• Creative Engagement Strategies: Ability to develop innovative approaches to engage employees, parents, young alumni and current students in meaningful ways.

Understanding of Higher Education Landscape:

• Knowledge of Institutional Priorities: Awareness of the institution’s strategic goals and how employee, parent, student and alumni engagement fit into these objectives.
• Familiarity with Student Experience: Insight into the current student experience and challenges, allowing for relevant and impactful programming and communication.

Fundraising Skills:

• Annual Giving Programs: Understanding of annual giving and how to inspire giving among employees, parents, students and recent graduates.
• Cultivation and Stewardship: Skills in cultivating new donors and stewarding existing ones, particularly among the young alumni demographic.

Analytical and Data-Driven:

• Data Analysis: Ability to use data to track engagement metrics, identify trends, and measure the success of outreach efforts.
• CRM, Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and RE7, Proficiency: Proficiency with customer relationship management (Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT and RE7) systems to manage interactions and engagement history.

Team Collaboration:

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with various departments, including alumni relations and academic units, to coordinate efforts.
• Leadership and Initiative: Demonstrates leadership and takes initiative in developing new programs and strategies for engagement.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving:

• Flexibility: Capable of adapting to changing circumstances and needs, whether it’s adjusting engagement strategies or addressing unforeseen challenges.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying issues and developing solutions to improve employee, parent, student and young alumni experiences.

Passion for Education and Student Success:

• Commitment to Education: Deep passion for higher education and a commitment to supporting student success and lifelong learning.
• Advocacy for Students and Alumni: Acts as an advocate for students and alumni, understanding their needs and working to address them through institutional resources and support.

Cultural Competence:

• Diversity and Inclusion: Understanding and appreciation of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, ensuring that engagement efforts are inclusive and equitable.
• Global Perspective: Awareness of global trends and the ability to engage international students and alumni effectively.

Physical Requirements

Job may require lifting light weight objects (1 to 10 pounds) with no repetitive bending or stooping.

Work Environment

Regular exposure to favorable conditions such as those found in a normal office.

Salary/Pay Information

Commensurate with experience