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As the second-largest Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University's eight colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Computer Science & Engineering; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si' campus, stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change-in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2024 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu
To apply
Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted for employment consideration. If you are viewing this job advertisement through a different site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions.
Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.
Position Summary
The Executive Director of Annual Giving & Donor Engagement is a campus leader who creates, implements, and evaluates a year-round fundraising program that generates long-term support for Sacred Heart University. The Executive Director will achieve success through a comprehensive fundraising strategy based on industry best-in-class practices, which will engage constituencies across the University and align with SHU's brand. This critical work will be achieved through a multifaceted program that includes direct mail and email solicitations, an annual giving day, volunteer fundraising (ex. reunion and class ambassador giving programs), senior class gift, leadership giving societies, stewardship, and other new and emerging methods. The Annual Giving Office aims to drive alumni donor growth and to support the University's major and leadership giving identification conducted by prospect research and frontline fundraising teams.
The Executive Director is responsible for analyzing the results, identifying donor trends, and refining plans in order to yield the best return on investments. This role will be active within the division and collaborative across campus teams, deploying resources in smart, innovative ways that maximize annual growth and expand Sacred Heart's base of support and alumni participation rates.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Create a strategic and comprehensive annual plan and oversee its implementation using innovative solutions and data analyses to increase dollars raised, acquire and retain donors, increase alumni participation and qualification of major gift prospects.
• Define and execute the strategies, processes, and procedures for delivering results-driven crowdfunding campaigns and an annual day of giving in coordination with key Advancement and Alumni Engagement colleagues, volunteers, campus partners, and student leaders.
• Lead an effort to build a culture of digital philanthropy by understanding and deploying best practices in social media, web-based target marketing, interactive appeals, and other emergent digital trends.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program to thank and cultivate both current and new donors, with a primary focus on donor fund reporting and high-touch stewardship.
• Partner with the Advancement Services team and gift officers to identify leadership annual giving prospects, determine targeted ask amounts, research and qualify prospects, and develop solicitation strategies.
• Work strategically and collaboratively with, and be supported by, the Marketing & Communications department to design and implement annual giving appeals and communications for the University's various constituent audiences.
• Manage department operating budget, efficiently using program resources and maximizing program results in a complex University environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in annual giving, preferably within a higher education or nonprofit fundraising environment.
• Proven expertise in developing and executing integrated marketing and communication strategies that drive donor engagement and philanthropic support.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a strong ability to craft messaging aligned with the university's voice, tone, and brand standards.
• Strategic understanding of how marketing and communications efforts impact donor engagement, pipeline development, and annual giving outcomes.
• Experience managing budgets and vendor relationships with a focus on ROI and efficiency.
• Ability to thrive under pressure with strong project management skills, balancing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with a proactive and solutions-driven approach to challenges.
• Advanced proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge NXT), email marketing platforms (e.g., Blackbaud Luminate, Gravty), Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Creative Suite.

Unusual Working Conditions

• Evening and weekend hours are required. Occasional travel required.

This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.
Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.