Assistant Director, Annual Giving

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• College/Area: University Advancement
• Work location: Pullman, WA (Remote)
• Appointment Status: Permanent, FTE: 100 %
• Administrative Professional (View Benefits Information)
• Position Supervisor: Jessica Billings, Senior Director of Annual Giving

Summary of Duties:

The Assistant Director, Annual Giving is responsible for fundraising and philanthropic engagement campaign and programming support for the Annual Giving Office. This position analyzes historical and donor data to assist with strategic planning and project management. This position performs a variety of administrative and management support tasks, as well as serves as an office liaison systemwide for annual giving activities.

The incumbent trains, educates, and guides WSUF internal partners and stakeholders to maintain effective Annual Giving fundraising efforts across the University; serves as a resource to University internal partners for direct fundraising strategy, process, and consultation; maintains positive working relationships and collaborates with internal partners; aids in program development to ensure WSUF Annual Giving serves the needs of WSU and the WSU Foundation; represents the WSU Foundation to internal and external constituents; and engages in fundraising activities that include cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.

Job Duties

 Program and Project Assistance – 35%

• Participates in the development and deployment of comprehensive Annual Giving campaigns, appeals, events, and special projects aimed at strengthening the pipeline of donors to WSU.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director and Directors, manages the creative engagement and communication strategies that inform and inspire key special constituencies to participate in annual giving, including but not limited to WSU Employees, Parents and Families, Recent Graduates, and Students.
• Develops and maintains project management tools to ensure cross-functional alignment and efficiency.

Partnership Management – 25%

• Builds and fosters reciprocal cross-functional partnerships with key Foundation and campus development and communication teams, in collaboration with the Annual Giving team.
• Conducts generalized and specialized onboarding and training of Annual Giving partners in the Foundation and across the WSU system, including but not limited to trainings for business processes, fundraising platforms, and industry best practices.
• Contributes to weekly, monthly, and quarterly planning meetings, forums, and report-outs with unit and Foundation partners.

 Administrative Support – 20%

• Under the Senior Director and Director of Operations, manages departmental fiscal tasks which include but are not limited to detailed expense tracking, purchasing and reconciliations including travel, forecasting, and internal billing.
• Interprets and tracks the business policies and procedures that affect administrative functions for the Annual Giving Office.
• Provides scheduling assistance to leadership for virtual and in-person meetings and presentations.

Annual Giving Research and Analysis – 15%

• Collects and shares insights on the trends and challenges across the various industries impacting private philanthropic annual giving.
• Collaborates with leadership on synthesizing research and compiling information for internal and external report-outs and presentations.

Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

 

Position Qualifications

 Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of experience, which includes six (6) months of full-time experience in marketing, gift solicitation or public contact work with evidence of ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively orally and in writing and organize and execute assignments. A Master’s degree in a relevant field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills that demonstrate the ability to work with variety of individuals, such as prospects/donors, faculty and staff, students, development officers, administration, and vendors.
• Demonstrated project management experience with a strong attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to simultaneously address multiple complex problems.
• Demonstrated computer software skills, including the ability to use office software.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of fundraising principles and techniques.
• Event, conference, virtual or in-person meeting, or workshop planning and scheduling experience.
• Fundraising experience at a comprehensive public or private research university or similar complex organization.
• Knowledge of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) databases.

Essential Work Competencies

 Knowledge, Skills, Abilities or Competencies

• Knowledge of, and ability to interpret, WSU policy and procedures.
• Knowledge of correct and appropriate office procedures.
• Knowledge of appropriate social etiquette.
• Ability to demonstrate poise, tactfulness, diplomacy, and good interpersonal skills at all times.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude during stressful situations.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Ability to understand and work with budgetary procedures and policies.
• Ability to keep accurate records and timely reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with several different constituents and WSU affiliates.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse colleagues, co-workers and outside constituents.
• Skill in planning, developing and producing events and special projects.
• Skill in operation of computers and basic software such as Word, spreadsheets, and presentation packages.
• Ability to identify situations that require University President’s or Foundation Leadership’s review or approval.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, recall and analyze information and make complex decisions.
• Ability to deal simultaneously with several problems and interruptions.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and under pressure.
• Ability to effectively organize and manage the activities of WSU Leadership.
• Ability to plan, track and manage projects to completion.
• Commitment to diversity and an understanding and appreciation of the benefits of a diverse workplace and the knowledge of how to shape processes and procedures that reflect and enhance the diversity of the WSU communities.

Mental Requirements

• Ability to reason and write logically and make sound decisions, to consider alternative perspectives, to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to remain poised under all circumstances and to interact effectively with people in a positive manner that promotes confidence and trust.
• Ability to keep track of multiple tasks and accomplish them in a timely and reasonable manner.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in high stress and conflict situations.
• Ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions.
• Ability to research, recall, analyze and organize information.
• Ability to simultaneously address multiple complex problems and reach conclusions.