Assistant Director of Annual Giving

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving is part of an eight-member team responsible for raising in excess of $11 million annually in direct support of Washington and Lee University’s operating budget. The primary responsibility of this position is maximizing annual fund gifts to Washington and Lee through management of the alumni Class Agent program.

To achieve our mission as a liberal arts university, we continually strive to foster a welcoming campus community, which recognizes the value of all persons. Our department is committed to contributing to an educational environment that is rich with a wide range of intellectual perspectives and backgrounds.

Essential Functions:

• Identifies, recruits, onboards, retains, motivates, and manages the work of the volunteer Class Agent team in each assigned class. Inspires continued engagement through cultivation and stewardship visits (in-person or virtual) to agents and other class leaders as needed. Assigned classes will range from Young Alumni to Five Star Generals.

• Collaborates with volunteers from assigned classes to set and achieve class-based dollar, donor, and participation goals. Interprets data related to class giving patterns, campaign and appeals effectiveness, and class interests to support strategic planning.

• Cultivates a strong sense of community among Class Agents, fostering camaraderie within and across class years through relationship-building, shared learning opportunities, and recognition efforts.

• Maintains CA Volunteer Management Portal (electronic) and related resources. Plans and delivers CA webinar and virtual training.

• Partners with the Senior Associate Director of Development Communications and CA team to organize, execute, and evolve class-based solicitation and stewardship content and schedules with an aim of continuous learning and improvement. Utilizes a variety of communications for solicitation and stewardship (may include print, email, text, video, phone, social media, and in-person messages).

• Develops program materials, including monthly newsletters, micro-appeal toolkits, and annual reports, so that volunteers are equipped with timely campus updates, clear guidance on how and when to connect with classmates, motivating and meaningful messaging to support successful outreach, and clear demonstration of their impact.

• Participates in development meetings, trainings, conferences, and other training & education events to stay abreast of important issues and successful annual fund trends. Networks with colleagues from peer institutions to learn from and stay competitive with their programs and to acquire pertinent best practices strategies.

• Serves as a W&L Fund and University liaison to all constituencies. Represents W&L Advancement interests to other campus departments and to the Washington & Lee community.

• Adapts to changing strategies and practices in Annual Giving to contribute as a dynamic team member; identifies needs of constituent groups and Annual Giving efforts as a whole and works with larger team to brainstorm and propose solutions.

• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Prior fundraising or related experience is desirable.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to navigate complex, sophisticated conversations that range from small talk to explaining philanthropy’s role in university finances, and personal motivations for giving.

• Demonstrated initiative, careful attention to detail, the ability to work within specific deadlines, and the ability prioritize and to maintain multiple tasks.

• Willingness to fundraise and a desire to learn the unique characteristics and culture of Washington and Lee and appreciate the passion and expectations of its alumni.

• Familiarity with technology is required and experience with a fundraising CRM is desirable. Data analysis skills are advantageous.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines while cultivating relationships with volunteers, students, and donors.

• Evening and weekend work is required during volunteer and alumni weekends and during other specific times during the year.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin on September 14 and continue until the position is filled.  Required materials include:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Names and contact information for three professional references

Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.

Position Type:

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Compensation:

The expected annual salary for this posting is between $62,000 - $71,000. Offers are based on factors such as qualifications, relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Washington and Lee University also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. To learn more about working at W&L, benefits, and life in the Shenandoah Valley, visit jobs.wlu.edu.

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking candidates committed to high standards of scholarship, performance, professionalism, and to a welcoming campus community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all‐inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.