Job Description

 

The University of Montana Foundation has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Annual Giving to lead and grow a comprehensive annual giving program.

Benefits Include

• Opportunity to work remotely up to two days per week
• Professional development opportunities
• Medical, Dental, Vision, wellness program and more
• UM Foundation contributes an amount equal to 11% of an employee’s annual compensation into their 403(b) retirement account; no employee contribution is required to receive this benefit
• Generous time off – Team members accrue four weeks of vacation and 12 days of sick leave per year, with an additional 12 days of holiday leave
• Paid parental leave of four weeks for new parents
• Short-term and long-term disability pay protection benefits
• Competitive Pay – candidates can request the starting pay range by emailing sydney.knox@supportum.org

Basic Function and Responsibility

The Director of Annual Giving will lead and manage a strategic and comprehensive, university-wide annual giving program designed to secure philanthropic support from alumni and friends with a focus on repeatable gifts that are most impactful to the University of Montana.

The Director will design and implement intentional strategies for acquiring, retaining, reactivating, and upgrading donors to build a healthy and sustainable donor pipeline. The Director will also manage a small pipeline of donors, and manage and coach a team responsible for growing our base of annual support, moving donors to higher levels of giving and supporting the mission of the University of Montana.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, innovative thinker, and effective collaborator with demonstrated experience leading a successful annual giving program, preferably in a higher education setting.

The Director reports to the Vice President for Development, working in close collaboration with external vendors, consultants, other members of the UM Foundation and UM team.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and operationalize strategies for a university-wide annual and leadership giving program to build a strong base of annual support and help develop a healthy and sustainable donor pipeline for major gifts.
• Design an annual giving program that employs data-driven strategies to grow the donor base and recurring annual support using multiple channels including direct mail, e-solicitations, social media, giving days, a digital gift officer program, and special campaigns.
• Ensure strategies are aligned with the mission, goals, and objectives of both the University of Montana Foundation and the University of Montana.
• Understand and implement best practices in constituent and donor audience segmentation, sequencing and channels to grow the program and fulfill strategic objectives.
• Manage a small portfolio of donors; cultivate and solicit high-level leadership annual giving prospects.
• Oversee the evaluation and management of vendor relationships and project management plans for annual giving efforts.
• Collaborate with the Stewardship team to develop a strategic communication and engagement plan to build awareness and membership in a leadership annual giving society.

Desired Qualifications

If you do not meet all the qualifications for the positions, you are still encouraged to apply.

• Five or more years of experience in fundraising.
• Two to three years of experience in annual giving fundraising in an institutional setting, with a preference for experience in higher education.
• Previous supervisory experience.
• Experience with complex data segmentation strategies and execution across a variety of channels.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of teams, problem solve, take initiative, set priorities, manage multiple projects, and exercise good judgment in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Proven experience working effectively with multiple stakeholders to achieve organizational objectives.
• Outstanding verbal skills, professional manner, and the ability to write persuasively.
• Ongoing commitment to seeking out and evaluating the latest annual giving trends, including leading-edge tactics for creative use of social media and other digital communication.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university

The University of Montana Foundation

The UM Foundation connects donors’ passions with needs and opportunities at the University of Montana. Serving the University as an independent nonprofit, the UM Foundation manages the University’s private fundraising efforts, donations and investment of endowed gifts.

The UM Foundation is in a time of growth and innovation, celebrating the recent completion of the most successful higher education fundraising campaign in state history, which inspired donors to give over $450 million to elevate every student, school and college at the University of Montana.

The UM Foundation is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the people and culture of the University it serves. UM Foundation employees enjoy a collaborative culture and inspiring mission to support the University and its students.

The University of Montana

As Montana’s flagship university and a top-tier R1 research institution, the University of Montana sets a high bar for academic studies, creative accomplishments, and scientific exploration. Students receive a world-class education in a broad range of subjects that include the trades, liberal arts, sciences, graduate and postdoctoral study and professional training.

Academic Units

• Alexander Blewett III School of Law
• College of Business
• College of Health
• College of Humanities and Sciences
• College of the Arts and Media
• Davidson Honors College
• Missoula College
• Phyllis J. Washington College of Education
• W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

Our Community

Missoula is a thriving community of 77,000 residents who make their home where five valleys converge. Set in an outdoor playground of majestic mountains, scenic valleys and winding rivers, Missoula residents enjoy four distinct seasons, an energetic college-town vibe, a vibrant downtown, and unparalleled recreational opportunities.

Missoula offers outstanding cultural and entertainment opportunities that contribute to the “Missoula Lifestyle.” Big-name and local artists play Missoula’s varied concert venues and festivals. Local residents enjoy excellent art galleries, public lectures, theatrical productions, sporting events and world-class fly-fishing.

Outdoor Recreation

• Rattlesnake Wilderness Area: 5 miles
• Montana Snow Bowl Ski Area: 7 miles
• Flathead Lake: 70 miles
• Glacier National Park: 139 miles
• Yellowstone National Park: 269 miles
• There are 3.1 million acres of wilderness within a 100-mile radius of campus.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

*Please mention you saw this ad on AcademicJobs.*

Apply Now