Primary Focus
The Director of Annual Giving leads broad-based fundraising strategies that inspire participation, strengthen donor loyalty, and generate consistent philanthropic support for institutional priorities. Through multi-channel campaigns, donor stewardship, and strategic engagement efforts, this role builds and sustains a strong culture of annual philanthropy across alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students.

As a core driver of donor participation and long-term philanthropic growth, the Director works collaboratively across the Advancement team to strengthen donor retention, increase annual support, and identify pathways for deeper engagement.

Description of Duties

Annual Giving Strategy & Campaign Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual giving strategy aligned with institutional fundraising priorities and participation goals
• Lead multi-channel solicitation and renewal efforts, including direct mail, phone outreach, email, texting, digital campaigns, and crowdfunding initiatives
• Manage annual giving calendars, segmentation strategies, campaign schedules, and donor outreach plans
• Oversee Giving Tuesday, holiday appeals, and other annual fundraising campaigns in partnership with the Director of Major Gift Development & Digital Engagement

Donor Participation & Retention

• Develop strategies that increase donor participation, retention, and annual gift upgrades
• Manage sustainer giving and recurring donor programs to strengthen long-term donor commitment
• Lead engagement strategies for young alumni and emerging donors to encourage lifelong philanthropic involvement
• Collaborate with Alumni Director, student engagement efforts, and campus partners to foster a culture of philanthropy

Analytics, Stewardship & Donor Development

• Analyze annual giving performance, donor behavior, retention trends, and participation data to improve fundraising effectiveness
• Monitor campaign results and adjust strategies based on engagement and response metrics
• Partner with the Director of Advancement Services on reporting, segmentation, and donor movement strategy
• Collaborate with the Director of Leadership Giving and Director of Major Gift Development & Digital Engagement to identify and advance donors with increased philanthropic potential

Relationship Building & Collaboration

• Work collaboratively across the Advancement division to ensure coordinated donor messaging and engagement strategies
• Support donor stewardship efforts through timely communication, impact reporting, and meaningful recognition
• Represent the institution at events and engagement opportunities that strengthen constituent relationships and philanthropic support
  
  See the full job description and apply at uau.edu/employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, with preference given to a graduate of Union Adventist University.
• Knowledge of, or demonstrated capacity and willingness to learn, best practices in annual giving, donor participation, and philanthropic engagement 
• Understanding of emerging strategies and technologies used to engage alumni, parents, students, and donors across multiple channels 
• Ability to collaborate across teams to strategically align goals, campaigns, and donor engagement efforts in ways that achieve measurable results 
• Strong project management, organizational, and analytical skills 
• Excellent written, verbal, and public communication skills 
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage diverse constituent groups effectively 
• Sound understanding of budgeting and financial reporting related to fundraising programs and campaign performance 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor database systems; experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar CRM preferred 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative and fast-paced environment
  
  Special Requirement
• An expressed commitment to Jesus Christ, the teachings and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; a Seventh-day Adventist church member in good and regular standing.
• Must be currently authorized to work lawfully in the United States.
  
  See the full job description and apply at uau.edu/employment.