Senior Director, Annual Giving

At the University of Cincinnati Foundation, we commit ourselves to providing a place where everyone belongs. We care deeply about those in our community, while also taking care to nurture new relationships. We have the courage to dream big, drive excellence and uphold integrity in our work.

Structure

The Senior Director of Annual Giving is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation (UCF) and reports to the Executive Director, Annual Giving.

Focus

The Senior Director of Annual Giving provides strategic leadership, direction and oversight for the Foundation’s annual giving fundraising direct marketing efforts, with particular responsibility for Athletics annual giving and the overall direct marketing strategy. The Senior Director leads the development and implementation of comprehensive, data-informed, multi-channel solicitation and audience development strategies that align alumni, donor and fan engagement with University, Foundation, Alumni Association and Athletics priorities.

This position provides leadership across teams and functions to ensure cohesive strategy, effective resource allocation, operational efficiency, strong brand stewardship and measurable fundraising results. The Senior Director serves as a key strategic partner to Foundation, University, Alumni Association and Athletics leadership and provides direction to staff responsible for the development and execution of annual giving direct marketing campaigns.

Specific Duties

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for annual giving fundraising direct marketing, including Athletics annual giving, ensuring strategies, priorities and resources are aligned with broader University, Athletics, Foundation and Alumni Association goals.
• Develop, establish and oversee comprehensive annual giving direct marketing strategies and long-term plans designed to increase donor participation, revenue, engagement and overall fundraising effectiveness.
• Provide strategic direction for the development and execution of omnichannel fundraising campaigns incorporating direct mail, email, digital advertising, web, social media, video and other channels as appropriate.
• Lead the ongoing integration of Athletics annual giving fundraising within the broader direct marketing strategy, ensuring consistent messaging, audience development, creative direction, brand standards and campaign execution.
• Provide leadership and oversight for campaign strategy, project management, content calendars, creative development, messaging, audience segmentation and production processes to ensure high-quality, timely and effective campaigns.
• Establish strategic priorities, goals, performance measures and operating standards for direct marketing campaigns. Monitor progress and make adjustments to strategies, resources and tactics based on performance and organizational priorities.
• Lead, manage and develop assigned professional staff, including athletics and campus wide direct marketing staff, setting performance expectations, evaluating performance, providing coaching and mentorship, delegating responsibilities and supporting professional growth.
• Provide leadership across teams by establishing collaborative processes and ensuring effective coordination among Annual Giving, Direct Marketing, Alumni Association, Athletics and other internal partners.
• Serve as a senior strategic partner to Athletics leadership and other institutional stakeholders, identifying opportunities to strengthen fundraising and engagement and translating organizational priorities into effective annual giving solicitations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external partners and provide leadership in cross-functional initiatives that advance annual giving, alumni engagement and University Advancement priorities.
• Provide strategic oversight of audience development, data strategy and reporting for annual giving direct marketing. Ensure appropriate segmentation, targeting, data integrity and analysis are incorporated into campaign planning and execution.
• Utilize and provide direction and oversight for the use of fundraising databases and related systems, including Blackbaud CRM, to support audience development, campaign execution, reporting and performance analysis.
• Support reporting processes that provide monthly, quarterly and annual insight into campaign performance, fundraising results, donor participation, audience engagement and progress toward organizational goals.
• Serve as a key reporting and analytics resource for Alumni & Annual Giving and Athletics leadership, using data and performance insights to inform strategic decision-making and future initiatives.
• Oversee direct marketing tactics for Giving Tuesday, UC Day of Giving and other significant annual giving initiatives.
• Lead messaging and storytelling efforts for annual giving fundraising campaigns, ensuring communications effectively articulate institutional priorities and demonstrate the impact of philanthropy. Collaborate with the Executive Director, Integrated Marketing on creative direction and brand management.
• Identify and implement opportunities to integrate annual giving fundraising messaging into broader University, Athletics and Alumni Association communications and engagement initiatives.
• Provide oversight of departmental budgets, expenses, vendors and external resources to maximize available resources, improve operational efficiency and support fundraising objectives.
• Lead vendor selection, contract management and vendor relationships as appropriate; evaluate external resources and processes to identify opportunities for cost savings, increased efficiency and improved campaign performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, technology, workflows and team structures to increase efficiency, effectiveness and scalability across annual giving and direct marketing operations.
• Represent the Foundation and annual giving function in internal and external meetings, committees, collaborative groups and strategic initiatives as appropriate.
• Provide thought leadership and creative problem-solving to address emerging opportunities and challenges affecting annual giving direct marketing.
• Contribute to the overall success of University Advancement by developing innovative strategies and collaborative approaches that elevate annual giving performance, strengthen donor engagement and generate philanthropic support.
• As a member of the Alumni & Annual Giving team, support the department’s university-wide alumni engagement efforts, participating in the execution of Homecoming and Alumni Week experiences.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education annual giving fundraising, alumni association marketing or non-profit direct marketing fundraising preferred, or advanced degree with 5-7 years of experience. Experience in Athletics annual giving fundraising is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising and direct marketing strategies and translate organizational priorities into measurable goals, plans and outcomes.
• Proven leadership and management experience, including the ability to establish direction, develop staff, delegate effectively, manage performance and build high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of integrated, omnichannel marketing and fundraising communications, including direct mail, email, digital communications, web, social media and related channels.
• Knowledge and experience using fundraising databases and data systems required. Experience with Blackbaud CRM preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee budgets, vendors, external resources and operational processes while maximizing resources and maintaining accountability.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills; persuasive and strategic communicator with the ability to effectively present to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, establish and meet deadlines, navigate changing organizational needs and maintain a high level of quality and professionalism.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, honesty and accountability.

What We Offer

The anticipated starting salary range for the Senior Director, Annual Giving role is $100,000 to $115,000 annually. When determining final offer amount the UC Foundation considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, external market data, as well as, market and business considerations when making compensation decisions.

At the UC Foundation, we understand the importance of providing both a desirable work environment as well as benefits that provide our employee’s peace of mind and work/life balance. We offer a total rewards package inclusive of performance based bonus, as well as, competitive health and wellness benefits, tuition remission, retirement with employer match, paid parental leave, and paid vacation, sick time and holidays, including calendar year-end closing. To learn more, visit our careers page.

Physical Demands

This position is considered to have light work. Exerting up to 20lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up a negligible of force constantly to move objects. This position requires the operation of a motor vehicle. This position also requires:

• Reaching
• Lifting
• Finger use
• Talking
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, this position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions (such as in typical office or administrative work).

Pre-Hire Requirements

The UC Foundation seeks talented, collaborative and mission-focused individuals to join our advancement team in driving philanthropic support for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. All offers of full-time employment are contingent upon passing a criminal background check and drug test. Positions requiring a degree are also contingent upon education verification.