Assistant Director of Development

University of Southern Indiana • Evansville, IN

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position will cultivate and solicit annual, major and planned gifts for the University and manage the annual giving programs as well as the USI Foundation’s communications. The Assistant Director of Development will plan, coordinate, design, and implement annual giving campaigns, including proactive print, digital, and virtual appeals to alumni and friends. They will implement comprehensive annual giving efforts with personalized emails, calls, and stewardship touchpoints to identify new donors and encourage higher levels of giving. The role involves developing and executing targeted solicitations for specific donor audiences and fundraising objectives, and cultivating and soliciting gifts across all levels of the gift process. A significant portion of the role involves cultivating and soliciting donors through virtual and digital means such as phone, email, direct appeals, and proposals. The position also oversees digital and online fundraising, including crowdfunding, and is responsible for drafting and coordinating donor-facing content such as impact stories, stewardship reports, and educational giving materials. The Assistant Director will assist in managing the Development communications calendar across print, email, and social media, and collaborate with Alumni Engagement & Volunteer USI and other departments on communication efforts. They will assist in developing compelling cases of support and ensuring consistent messaging. The role includes monitoring campaign performance, creating return on investment reports, and recommending strategies for improving fundraising performance. Management of the USI Foundation website, with an emphasis on creating an exceptional online giving experience, including regular updates to website content and online giving forms, is also a key responsibility. Additionally, the Assistant Director will manage the USI Foundation social media accounts, develop engaging content, create gift and endowment agreements, and provide assistance to committee chairpersons of the USI Foundation Board of Directors as needed. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two to four years of related work experience required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills required.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills required.
• Ability to work independently with high degree of initiative required.
• Demonstrated ability to positively interact with diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of computers, Microsoft software, and donor/prospect database required.
• Remaining in a stationary position at a desk or work station for extended periods of time for the majority of assigned duties.
• Occasional physical access to meetings, presentations and events that occur at on-campus sites such as classrooms and meeting rooms, and at various sites throughout the local and regional community.
• Extensive physical activity with some events to oversee activities, to setup and make presentations, and to interact with attendees.
• The use of computers and computer systems (hardware and software) to set up functions, to enter data, to retrieve and process information and to create documents.
• Effective problem solving and the presentation of a professional demeanor while meeting deadlines and achieving critical outcomes, even under demanding conditions such as multiple priorities and short-notice deadlines.
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills, along with interpersonal communication skills appropriate to cultivating productive relationships.
• A background check will be required for employment in this position.
• USI will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree, CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) credential or certification from The Fund Raising School preferred.
• Familiarity with uses and functions of Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, design, and implement annual giving campaigns.
• Implement comprehensive annual giving efforts, which include personalized emails and calls and stewardship touchpoints to identify new donors and move current donors toward higher levels of giving.
• Develop and execute targeted solicitations, focusing on specific donor audiences and fundraising objectives.
• Cultivate and solicit gifts across all levels of the gift process – identification, research, approach, cultivation, solicitation, investment and stewardship.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects.
• Oversee and serve as primary lead regarding digital and online fundraising, such as crowdfunding.
• Draft and coordinate donor-facing content including impact stories, stewardship reports, and educational giving materials.
• Assist in managing the Development communications calendar across print, email, and social media.
• Collaborate with Alumni Engagement & Volunteer USI and other necessary departments in communication efforts to alumni.
• Assist in developing compelling cases of support and ensure consistent messaging across donor segments.
• Monitor campaign performance and create regular return on investment reports.
• Recommend strategies for improving fundraising performance such as open rates, engagement, and response.
• Manage the USI Foundation website, with emphasis on creating an exceptional online giving experience.
• Manage the USI Foundation social media accounts and develop engaging content.
• Create gift agreements and endowment agreements.
• Provide assistance to committee chairpersons of the USI Foundation Board of Directors as needed.

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 11% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees, spouses, and dependent children.
• Vacation and sick time
• Holiday pay
• Free access to Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center.
• Access to on-campus University Health Center and Dental Hygiene Clinic.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level