Senior Director, Annual Giving

University of Cincinnati Foundation•Cincinnati, OH

3d•$100,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The Senior Director of Annual Giving is an exempt, salaried position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation and reporting to the Executive Director, Annual Giving. The role provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for annual giving fundraising direct marketing, with particular responsibility for Athletics annual giving and the overall direct marketing strategy. The Senior Director develops and implements comprehensive, data-informed, multichannel solicitation and audience development strategies that align alumni, donor, and fan engagement with University, Foundation, Alumni Association, and Athletics priorities. The position leads across teams and functions to promote cohesive strategy, effective resource allocation, operational efficiency, strong brand stewardship, and measurable fundraising results. It serves as a strategic partner to institutional leadership and provides direction to staff responsible for annual giving direct marketing campaigns.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree with 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education annual giving fundraising, alumni association marketing, or nonprofit direct marketing fundraising; alternatively, an advanced degree with 5–7 years of experience.
Ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising and direct marketing strategies and translate organizational priorities into measurable goals, plans, and outcomes.
Leadership and management experience, including setting direction, developing staff, delegating effectively, managing performance, and building high-performing teams.
Strong understanding of integrated, omnichannel marketing and fundraising communications, including direct mail, email, digital communications, web, and social media.
Knowledge and experience using fundraising databases and data systems.
Ability to oversee budgets, vendors, external resources, and operational processes while maximizing resources and maintaining accountability.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate persuasively and strategically and present effectively to varied audiences.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, establish and meet deadlines, adapt to changing organizational needs, and maintain quality and professionalism.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, honesty, and accountability.
Successful completion of a criminal background check and drug test; degree-required positions are also contingent on education verification.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Athletics annual giving fundraising.
Experience with Blackbaud CRM.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and oversight for annual giving direct marketing, including Athletics annual giving, aligning strategies, priorities, and resources with University, Athletics, Foundation, and Alumni Association goals.
Develop and oversee comprehensive annual giving direct marketing strategies and long-term plans to increase donor participation, revenue, engagement, and fundraising effectiveness.
Direct omnichannel fundraising campaigns across direct mail, email, digital advertising, web, social media, video, and other appropriate channels.
Integrate Athletics annual giving into the broader direct marketing strategy, maintaining consistent messaging, audience development, creative direction, brand standards, and execution.
Oversee campaign strategy, project management, content calendars, creative development, messaging, audience segmentation, and production processes.
Set campaign priorities, goals, performance measures, and operating standards; monitor results and adjust strategies, resources, and tactics as needed.
Lead, manage, and develop assigned professional staff, setting expectations, evaluating performance, coaching and mentoring, delegating responsibilities, and supporting professional growth.
Establish collaborative processes and coordinate work among Annual Giving, Direct Marketing, the Alumni Association, Athletics, and other internal partners.
Partner with Athletics leadership and institutional stakeholders to identify fundraising and engagement opportunities and translate priorities into annual giving solicitations.
Build relationships with internal and external partners and lead cross-functional initiatives advancing annual giving, alumni engagement, and University Advancement priorities.
Oversee audience development, data strategy, and reporting, ensuring segmentation, targeting, data integrity, and analysis inform campaign planning and execution.
Direct the use of fundraising databases and related systems, including Blackbaud CRM, for audience development, campaign execution, reporting, and performance analysis.
Support monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting on campaign performance, fundraising results, donor participation, audience engagement, and organizational goals.
Provide reporting and analytics support to Alumni & Annual Giving and Athletics leadership, using performance insights to inform decisions and future initiatives.
Oversee direct marketing tactics for Giving Tuesday, UC Day of Giving, and other significant annual giving initiatives.
Lead campaign messaging and storytelling to communicate institutional priorities and philanthropic impact; collaborate with the Executive Director, Integrated Marketing on creative direction and brand management.
Integrate annual giving fundraising messaging into broader University, Athletics, and Alumni Association communications and engagement initiatives.
Oversee departmental budgets, expenses, vendors, and external resources to maximize resources, improve efficiency, and support fundraising objectives.
Lead vendor selection, contract management, and vendor relationships as appropriate, evaluating external resources and processes for cost savings, efficiency, and campaign performance.
Improve processes, technology, workflows, and team structures to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability across annual giving and direct marketing operations.
Represent the Foundation and annual giving function in meetings, committees, collaborative groups, and strategic initiatives.
Provide thought leadership and creative problem-solving on emerging opportunities and challenges in annual giving direct marketing.
Develop innovative strategies and collaborative approaches that improve annual giving performance, donor engagement, and philanthropic support.
Support university-wide alumni engagement efforts, including participation in the execution of Homecoming and Alumni Week experiences.
Perform other duties as assigned.