Executive Director, Annual Giving

University of Cincinnati Foundation • Cincinnati, OH

2d • $120,000 - $135,000

About The Position

The Executive Director of Annual Giving is an exempt, salaried position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, this role leads the development and implementation of multi-channel solicitation programs that support the priorities of the University of Cincinnati and UC Foundation. The Executive Director leads a team managing a comprehensive annual giving program spanning direct marketing, annual leadership giving, and pipeline development. The program uses digital and print assets and personalized outreach to create a cohesive brand experience and promote philanthropy that yields annual fund participation.

The Executive Director provides strategic direction for omnichannel fundraising and leads staff, campaigns, engagement, analytics, technology, partnerships, and budget management. The role also supports university-wide alumni engagement efforts, including Homecoming and Alumni Week experiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education annual giving fundraising, or an advanced degree with 5–7 years of experience.
• Prior management experience and ability to lead staff.
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations, manage internal and external relationships, and work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong understanding of HTML in email marketing and website management.
• Experience in digital and electronic communications, content management, PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Office products.
• Strong organizational planning, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; ability to communicate persuasively and passionately as a leader.
• Ability to analyze data to develop solicitation strategies, measure outcomes, and create and execute viable operational plans.
• Knowledge and experience using fundraising databases.
• Organizational ability, timeliness, and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple priorities, produce quality work, and meet strict deadlines with 100% accuracy.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, honesty, and accountability.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Blackbaud CRM.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall strategic direction of the annual giving omnichannel fundraising program and align initiatives with university and foundation priorities.
• Drive fundraising results for gifts under $25,000 through omnichannel direct marketing and annual leadership giving.
• Oversee core annual giving direct marketing campaigns and create and execute a 12-month omnichannel fundraising plan across channels such as direct mail, email, video, web, social media, environmental graphics, and digital ads.
• Develop campaign messaging, ensure accuracy and deadlines, collaborate with campus partners and external vendors, and secure approvals.
• Oversee the UC Foundation’s urgency campaigns, including Giving Tuesday, UC Day of Giving, and crowdfunding.
• Oversee Annual Leadership Giving and Digital Philanthropy Center outreach, including omnichannel solicitations and student caller fundraising, to build relationships, grow giving in the $1,000–$25,000 gift band, and increase annual fund participation.
• Identify strategies to improve results across core campaigns, Athletics annual giving, giving days, Digital Philanthropy Center, annual leadership giving, pipeline development, reporting, and other annual giving program components.
• Evaluate emerging digital fundraising trends, technology solutions, and industry best practices.
• Serve as the annual giving email specialist, optimizing email campaigns and testing new strategies.
• Develop interactive, meaningful, and informative engagement communications supporting the institution’s mission, strategic goals, and reputation; ensure digitally engaged alumni are tracked and reflected in annual engaged alumni counts.
• Provide strategic oversight of annual giving technology platforms, vendors, and operational resources.
• Lead audience development to drive revenue and engagement for the University of Cincinnati, UC Alumni Association, UC Foundation, and other strategic initiatives.
• Use reporting and analytics best practices to develop reporting strategies, create reports, standardize reporting, and prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports; serve as a reporting resource for Alumni & Annual Giving leadership.
• Use fundraising analytics, reporting tools, and performance data to evaluate program effectiveness, identify opportunities, and inform decisions.
• Build collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Lead, motivate, and manage annual giving staff; set objectives and performance standards, evaluate performance, provide training, mentoring, and professional development, assign projects, and oversee daily operations.
• Manage the annual giving budget and maximize allocated resources.
• Contribute ideas that advance University Advancement, generate annual fund support, and increase alumni engagement.
• Support university-wide alumni engagement efforts, including execution of Homecoming and Alumni Week experiences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Performance-based bonus
• Competitive health and wellness benefits
• Tuition remission
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick time
• Paid holidays, including calendar year-end closing

What This Job Offers

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