Senior Director, Annual Giving

Summary

The Senior Director of Annual Giving is primarily focused on overseeing the strategies and execution of the institution’s annual giving campaigns, which may involve soliciting donations from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and other potential donors. Additionally, this position will work closely with the Annual Giving leadership team to design the fundraising strategy for annual giving and pipeline generation, as well as manage relationships with central and partner units to effectively and efficiently leverage data to drive decision making and strategy.

Examples of Work

Job functions are specific duties that would be included in the essential functions of the job description. These functions are not all-inclusive nor do they cover the full extent of the duties performed.

• Create and implement short- and long-term strategies for growing the institution’s annual giving program, targeting alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and other potential donors.
• Develop and enhance comprehensive, omni-channel direct marketing strategies.
• Establish annual revenue targets and donor participation goals for campaigns and programs, in alignment with the institution’s overall fundraising strategy.
• Ensure that annual giving efforts support the institution’s broader strategic initiatives and priorities, and communicate those to donors.
• Oversee all aspects of the annual giving campaigns, including direct mail, digital campaigns, phonathons, crowdfunding initiatives, and giving days.
• Engage with existing and potential donors, particularly major donors or high-level annual donors, to foster a sense of community and ongoing engagement.
• Ensure that all donations are properly acknowledged, with personalized thank-you communications. Develop a stewardship plan to maintain relationships and encourage continued giving.
• Managing a team responsible for various aspects of annual giving, including communications, solicitation, and donor stewardship.
• Manage a portfolio of marketing projects for large size colleges and units.
• Work with other departments within the advancement team (e.g., major gifts, alumni relations, marketing, donor relations) to ensure alignment of fundraising efforts and messaging.
• Ensuring the fundraising program stays within budget and meets set goals, while providing regular updates to senior leadership and the board of trustees.
• Use donor data and analytics to drive decision-making, optimizing campaigns and targeting the right audience segments.

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience in annual giving or related field; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of appropriate experience in annual giving or related field.

Licensure and Certification

N/A

Supervision

This position does have supervisory responsibility.

To see common career pathways for each position at the University of Florida please visit the Career Paths section of the UFHR website.