Director of Annual Giving

Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY Full-time Education

Posted on May 8, 2024

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Vassar College

Director of Annual Giving

Department: Office of Advancement
Duration of Position: Full year / Full time
Work Schedule:
Employee Type: Administrator
Posting Date: 05/08/2024
Union Representation: Not Applicable
Posting Number: AS486P
Pay Rate:
Compensation: The starting annual base salary range for this position is $89,900-$120,000.

When extending an offer, Vassar College considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, budget, and other market and organizational considerations. The starting salary range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate at the time of posting.

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar stands upon the homelands of the Munsee Lenape.Vassar College is deeply committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion, and respect for difference. The College is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and especially welcomes applications from veterans, women, individuals with disabilities, and members of racial, ethnic, and other historically underrepresented groups.Vassar College is a smoke-free, tobacco-free campus.Vassar College offers a comprehensive benefits package for administrators which includes:22 vacation days for full time employees – prorated if not full time, unlimited paid personal and sick time for use at the supervisor’s approval.14 paid holidays per year which includes the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.A choice of three health plans (EPO, PPO, High Deductible), Participation in FSA, Dependent Care, and Transit programs.Voluntary, employee paid dental insurance plan.Life Insurance and Voluntary Supplemental Life InsuranceEmployer paid short-term and long-term disability programs.403(b) defined contribution plan after one year of service. For more information, visit: https://offices.vassar.edu/human-resources/benefits-and-wellness/retirement/New hires will be automatically enrolled in the SRA at a 4% employee contribution per paycheck.Tuition benefits for undergraduate programs: Eligible after applicable waiting period. For more information, visit: https://offices.vassar.edu/human-resources/benefits-and-wellness/tuition/

Position Summary and Responsibilities
Vassar College is mid-way through its $500 million Fearlessly Consequential comprehensive campaign. We seek a dynamic, collaborative and strategic Director of Annual Giving. The Director is responsible for planning and executing the College's annual giving program of approximately $10 million and will play an integral role in the development of Vassar's comprehensive campaign. The Director will report to the Vice President of Advancement and oversee all aspects of a fresh and innovative annual giving program that includes unrestricted and current expendable annual gifts. The new Director will manage a substantial budget and a team of ten or more.

The Director will provide strategic leadership and oversight to the team in managing a multi-channel solicitation program that includes leadership annual giving, reunion class giving, volunteer management, digital fundraising, social media, crowd-funding, direct mail and segmented telemarketing to solicit alumni, parents, students, faculty/staff, and friends.

The Director will focus on managing an annual giving program that includes personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for higher level annual gift prospects and donors with a priority placed on identifying those prospects who can move to the major gift pipeline. The Director will also manage a portfolio of donors and build and manage a network of leadership and reunion class volunteers including face to face solicitations.

The Director will need to develop strategies and to work collaboratively with colleagues in major gifts, alum engagement, parent giving, communications and advancement services to build the alum donor base while increasing overall giving by alums.

Responsibilities

Create strategies to recapture lapsed donors and improve acquisition and retention of annual donors.
Ensure integration of annual giving applications (direct response, phone-a-thon, e- philanthropy).
Direct short- and long-range planning and implementation for annual giving programs.
Work closely with Advancement Communications staff to create targeted messaging that increases support for the College and expands participation in giving programs, with an emphasis on unrestricted gifts.
Ensure that the Vassar Fund is well-positioned to adapt and appeal to the habits and philanthropic preferences of recent graduates and students. This includes proactively sourcing next generation digital fundraising and payment tools.
Oversee, plan and implement an aggressive program to identify, cultivate, solicit, retain and steward leadership donors ($1500+). Direct and ensure that accurate, effective and timely acknowledgement, recognition and renewal systems are in place. Evaluate effectiveness and report results regularly to the VP, Advancement colleagues, and volunteers.
Develop a plan to ensure that the Vassar Fund is a well-integrated strategic component of Vassar's Fearlessly Consequential Campaign.
Design a series of management information reports that demonstrate key leverage points, outcomes and efficiency.
Manage compilation and submission of regular department reports to AVP and/or senior leadership team.
Develop “visit and activity metrics” with Vassar Fund team members including measuring face to face solicitations.
Manage the Vassar Fund Volunteer Council, its chair, members, and activities.

Qualifications
Required

Demonstrated progressive fundraising experience including skill in soliciting and closing gifts, management, proven success in an annual giving program, understanding of current technologies and platforms, and the ability to develop creative strategies to increase giving and the alum participation rate and meet our goals.
Strong appreciation for Vassar’s values and key strategic initiatives along with the ability to effectively communicate them for a diverse audience.
Ability to create and manage annual fundraising plans with goals, objectives, identified deliverables and timelines.
Excellent data analysis and report generation skills.
Volunteer management experience in higher education.
Supervisory experience demonstrating the ability to lead staff, set mutually established goals and manage performance.
Proven success managing a portfolio of prospects and cultivating, soliciting and closing five figure gifts.
Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends.

Preferred

Bachelor’s degree.
Volunteer management experience in higher education.
Strong experience with e-philanthropy, including by not limited to, social media strategies and crowd-funding techniques.
Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
Outstanding organizational skill and careful attention to detail.
A desire to lead with compassion and understanding while holding team members accountable for their performance.
A style that is accessible, open, and welcoming.

Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your on-line application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for 3 professional references. All attachments must be in PDF format. Review of applications will begin immediately. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources, 845-437-5820.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:

All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu/postings/3842.

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