Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Annual Fund Officer

Claremont McKenna College•Claremont, MN

About The Position

BASIC FUNCTION: The Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Annual Fund Officer supports alumni and parent Annual Giving initiatives, Reunion, and volunteer programs, and fundraises for Claremont McKenna College (CMC). This position is responsible for strategically managing select solicitations, stewardship, volunteer, and Reunion programs in order to hit annual goals as developed in conjunction with the Executive Director of Annual Giving. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Reporting to the Executive Director of Annual Giving, the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Annual Fund Officer works both independently and collaboratively to perform the following essential duties and responsibilities: Support all strategic initiatives of the Office of Annual Giving including managing various ad-hoc or affinity-based solicitation and communications projects. Maintain a small portfolio of direct annual giving assignments for cultivation and solicitation of annual support. Support Reunion program initiatives to systematize solicitation plans and content creation for stewardship materials. Cultivate, solicit, and steward volunteers to make gifts to the College including traveling to meet, solicit, and/or train volunteers as needed. Serve as the primary staff member responsible for pulling reports and building queries in the Raiser’s Edge database as a power-user within the team. Manage calendars of activity for all volunteers, working with fellow Alumni Weekend/Reunion Staff Class Liaisons to maximize coverage, frequency, and variety of messaging. Analyze and report key metrics to the Executive Director of Annual Giving, Alumni Weekend/Reunion committees, Crown Society volunteers, Parents Fund volunteers, the CMC Alumni Association, and the Parents Network Board with progress and challenges faced by each group. Create and modify training handbooks and welcome guides for all Annual Giving collaborators as needed. Train volunteers to solicit gifts for specific initiatives (Reunion, 1946 challenge, Going for the GOLD) at ImpactCMC Weekend, regional training events, and one-on-one conversations, balancing unrestricted fundraising priorities with alumni participation goals. Steward volunteers through recognition at events, inclusion in all communications, and sincere notes of appreciation. Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment. The successful candidate will also be able to perform the following essential functions: Take and follow directions. Work cooperatively with others. Receive and respond appropriately to constructive criticism. Display a positive attitude. Balance multiple tasks and priorities. Performs other essential duties and tasks specific to the position.

Requirements

B.A. or B.S. degree or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is required.
One to two years of direct fundraising experience with demonstrated ability to lead others towards a common goal, or equivalent experience is required.
A valid driver's license or equivalent alternate form of transportation to off-site meetings and events is required.
Requires a strong self-starter, exceptional interpersonal skills and an ability to interface professionally and diplomatically with alumni, parents, administration, faculty, and students.
Excellent writing, public speaking, training, and presentation skills required with the ability to confidently represent CMC, especially in regard to philanthropy and the importance of the annual fund and alumni participation.
Requires superior organizational skills, an ability to work independently with minimal direction, and an ability to work well with others.
Must be extremely detail-oriented.
Ability to handle all activities, especially those containing confidential information, with discretion, courtesy, and sound judgment while working with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds is required.
Strong computer/database skills, preferably with CRMs and spreadsheets, and an ongoing ability to learn is required.
Must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends.

Nice To Haves

An undergraduate degree from a selective liberal arts institution is preferred.
Experience in annual giving, alumni class giving, or volunteer management is preferred.
Familiarity with advanced features of the Microsoft Office suite of products, such as PowerPoint, mail merges, and vlookups is preferred.
Raiser’s Edge experience is preferred.
Strong customer service background is preferred.
Knowledge of selective, private higher education landscape is preferred.

Responsibilities

Support all strategic initiatives of the Office of Annual Giving including managing various ad-hoc or affinity-based solicitation and communications projects.
Maintain a small portfolio of direct annual giving assignments for cultivation and solicitation of annual support.
Support Reunion program initiatives to systematize solicitation plans and content creation for stewardship materials.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward volunteers to make gifts to the College including traveling to meet, solicit, and/or train volunteers as needed.
Serve as the primary staff member responsible for pulling reports and building queries in the Raiser’s Edge database as a power-user within the team.
Manage calendars of activity for all volunteers, working with fellow Alumni Weekend/Reunion Staff Class Liaisons to maximize coverage, frequency, and variety of messaging.
Analyze and report key metrics to the Executive Director of Annual Giving, Alumni Weekend/Reunion committees, Crown Society volunteers, Parents Fund volunteers, the CMC Alumni Association, and the Parents Network Board with progress and challenges faced by each group.
Create and modify training handbooks and welcome guides for all Annual Giving collaborators as needed.
Train volunteers to solicit gifts for specific initiatives (Reunion, 1946 challenge, Going for the GOLD) at ImpactCMC Weekend, regional training events, and one-on-one conversations, balancing unrestricted fundraising priorities with alumni participation goals.
Steward volunteers through recognition at events, inclusion in all communications, and sincere notes of appreciation.