FLSA EMPLOYMENT CATEGORY: Salaried; Exempt; Administrative; Full time
DEPARTMENT: Advancement
POSITION SUMMARY:
Annual Giving is the foundation of philanthropic support for Alma. It is the primary way in which alumni, parents, and friends demonstrate a shared commitment to the college. As it seeks annual, unrestricted support it develops sustainable philanthropic traditions that have a direct impact on the quality of experience that students receive. The consistent habits it establishes are important for preparing donors for comprehensive campaigns, capital priorities including the endowment, and estate gift considerations.
The Director of Annual Giving manages the development, implementation, and evaluation of the college’s annual giving strategies in pursuit of ambitious goals for funds and participation. The Director collaborates with the Advancement team and campus colleagues to ensure coordination in the implementation of the Annual Giving plan with Advancement and campus priorities. While some donors may want to direct their support for specific priorities, the case for Annual Giving should focus on a shared commitment to the overall financial strength of the college and of the collective impact donors can have on its quality and reputation. Each generation of students has benefited from this tradition of philanthropy. Alumni are the primary audience, so the alumni participation rate is an important indicator of their engagement. The components of the Annual Giving plan should include:
- a consistent, compelling case for support
- strategies and goals for donor acquisition, donor retention, and donor upgrades to leadership levels (of $2,500 or more)
- plans for the engagement of key partners e.g., Board of Trustees, Ambassadors, Advancement team, Alumni Board, Athletics, etc.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:
Reports directly to the Senior Director of Advancement Services and has no supervisory responsibilities.
ESSENTAL FUNCTIONS:
- Develop and achieve ambitious and sustainable annual goals in consultation with the Advancement team and college cabinet officers.
- Develop benchmarks and management tools that can provide daily, weekly, and monthly tracking of progress on goals and subgoals.
- Develop and implement effective tactics and initiatives.
- Develop and coordinate an annual calendar that includes a broad range of activities including social media, phoning, texting, direct mail, and giving days. Track and evaluate results.
- Develop an alumni volunteer organization that shares ownership in the success of the fund. Identify, recruit, engage, train, and celebrate volunteers and volunteer leadership.
- Direct available student staff in support of annual giving initiatives.
- Coordinate Annual Fund promotion via social media, working closely with the Advancement team and the Communication and Marketing Department to integrate fundraising messaging into social media content calendars.
- Direct fundraising efforts for the Scot Athletics Fund. Liaise with the Director of Athletics and coaching staff to set engagement and fundraising responsibilities, expectations and best practices.
- Coordinate with Communication and Marketing Office to ensure Annual Fund coverage in the Tartan, online news articles, press releases and other applicable print materials.
- Visit with annual donors and annual donor prospects to ensure continuity and service.
- Identify potential major donors with appropriate advancement personnel.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Ability to work weekends and evenings
- Ability to handle confidential information
- Excellent verbal/written communication skills
- Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
- Experience with technology
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Five years or more experience in higher education marketing, enrollment, and/or constituent engagement or similar experience in other career settings.
- Experience working with underrepresented, first-generation, Pell-eligible, and diverse populations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Travel independently in and out of state
- Walking
- Sitting at a desk for up to 8 hours
- Lifting up to 20 pounds
APPLICATION PROCESS:
For full consideration, qualified candidates must complete the following steps:
- submit the Alma College application
- email a letter of interest and resume to careers@alma.edu.
Applications will be accepted through September 9, 2025.
Alma College is classified as a selective Baccalaureate College: Diverse Fields by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Alma is committed to academic excellence and the development of responsible leaders; our students thrive on challenging academic programs in a supportive, small-college environment emphasizing active, collaborative learning and close student-faculty interaction. Alma is a private Phi Beta Kappa institution located in the center of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
Alma College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.
Alma College recognizes that we are all transformed when we celebrate and value the varied identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in our campus community. We are committed to recognizing and removing barriers to success and providing equitable access to opportunities through education and advocacy. In our increasingly diverse campus and world, we pledge to create a climate where everyone is safe and free to grow intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally. For more information about the College, visit www.alma.edu.