Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Overview

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving supports the mission of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University by strengthening annual philanthropic support from alumni, faculty, staff, grateful patients, and friends. Reporting directly to the Director of Annual Giving, this position develops and implements multi-channel fundraising campaigns that engage, retain, and grow the donor base at levels below the mid and major level gift threshold.

The Assistant Director manages the direct marketing program, developing content and implementing segmentation strategies, and ensures donor communications are accurate, compelling, and data-informed. This role requires strong donor cultivation and solicitation writing, project management, and analytical skills related to appeal strategy and evaluation, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with internal partners and external vendors. The position plays a vital part in meeting annual giving goals, both financial and donor totals, through donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades across print, digital, social media, text, and emerging platforms.

Responsibilities

• Manages the direct marketing program, which includes print, email, web, video, social media, and texting.
• Uses analytical skills to develop appeal strategy, manage and segment data, and evaluate results; writing and design skills to produce engaging copy resulting in philanthropic gifts; and project management skills to ensure appeals are produced and delivered on deadline.
• Uses project management tools to track deliverables, manage communications, and meet deadlines.
• Writes multi-channel copy to cultivate and solicit donors, coordinating with internal stakeholders and University Communications to secure approvals.
• Manages functionality, user experience, and performance of online giving platforms.
• Ensures accuracy, consistency, and quality control across all donor communications (letters, emails, web, video, social media, giving forms, and text messages).
• Reports to the Director of Annual Giving providing recommendations of strategies to grow annual giving support for Brock Virginia Health Sciences.
• Monitors and analyzes appeal performance; tests messaging, frequency, and formats; and recommends data-informed improvements.
• Collaborates with internal teams and external vendors to execute appeals on time and within budget.
• Partners with colleagues across Development and Alumni Relations and University Advancement to align annual giving campaigns and timelines.
• Provides exceptional customer service to donors, colleagues, and external partners.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Master’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree in these fields with related professional experience equivalent to a master’s degree.
• Demonstrated experience in annual giving, marketing, or fundraising with a proven record of planning and executing successful direct marketing campaigns.
• Results-driven, with the ability to analyze data, interpret outcomes, and adapt strategies accordingly.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines using effective tracking methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail and an understanding of donor-centric messaging and storytelling.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative, team-oriented environment across Development and Alumni Relations, University Advancement, and campus partners.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to donor-centered philanthropy.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and organizational needs.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), experience with fundraising databases, and willingness to learn new applications.

PREFERRED:

• Professional experience in higher education and/or healthcare fundraising.
• Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT, GiveCampus, Mongoose Cadence, and email marketing platforms, such as GiveCampus Outreach and Anthology.
• Familiarity with Giving Days, recurring donor programs, and/or grateful patient fundraising.

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