Donor Relations Associate Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

The Associate Director for Annual Giving Strategic Campaigns is a professional fundraising position responsible for developing, executing and managing specialty fundraising initiatives that advance Vanderbilt University's annual giving strategy. This role oversees the university's crowdfunding program and faculty and staff giving efforts while partnering with schools, units and campus stakeholders to execute targeted campaigns that engage donors and volunteers.
The position also supports annual giving strategies that advance the donor pipeline, helps amplify strategic fundraising initiatives across schools and units, and expands annual giving efforts across Vanderbilt's networked campuses to build on the momentum and impact of the historic Dare to Grow campaign.
The position provides strategic campaign management, operational oversight and performance analysis while supporting key annual giving initiatives, including Giving Day. Through cross-campus collaboration, volunteer engagement and data-driven reporting, this role helps expand philanthropic participation, strengthen donor relationships and drive annual giving growth across the university.
About the Work Unit:
The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University's teaching and research programs. Learn more about our department at https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/
Key objectives of these programs and for this role include:

• Drive donor acquisition, retention, and reactivation efforts through targeted campaigns
• Enhance and add value to existing campaign efforts and annual giving/engagement programs
• Empower alumni, parents, students, faculty and staff to help drive strategic campaigns that will impact all areas of the university
• Drive data-informed decision making by monitoring campaign performance, analyzing results and providing actionable insights to optimize future fundraising efforts.
• Support strategic annual giving initiatives that strengthen the donor pipeline while expanding philanthropic engagement across schools, units and Vanderbilt's networked campuses.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Specialty Campaign Strategy & Execution

• Assist in planning and executing specialty campaigns in support of strategic growth initiatives, including efforts that build and advance the donor pipeline following the Dare to Grow campaign.
• Partner with undergraduate schools and units to develop and execute targeted annual giving initiatives that amplify strategic fundraising priorities through specialty campaigns and enhanced donor engagement efforts.
• Support the development and execution of annual giving strategies and campaign plans for Vanderbilt's networked campuses, collaborating with campus partners to drive engagement and philanthropic participation.
• Support Faculty and Staff Giving efforts, including managing campaign activations and coordinating on-campus events.
• Assist with Giving Day planning and execution and serve on one or more working teams.
• Communicate with volunteers throughout active campaigns to provide information, updates and progress toward goals.

Crowdfunding Program Management

• Oversee the crowdfunding program, working with schools, units and other campus partners to plan and execute targeted campaigns while providing consistent day-to-day partnership, guidance and operational support.
• Coordinate the annual student crowdfunding cycle by partnering with campus stakeholders to identify projects, assist participants throughout campaign planning and execution, and contribute to successful campaign outcomes.
• Create and maintain crowdfunding training materials, job aids, toolkits and process documentation to support consistent program execution and partner success.
• Onboard crowdfunding volunteers and provide training and ongoing support.

Campaign Communications & Digital Engagement

• Develop expertise in the EMMA email platform to build, test, deploy and monitor email communications supporting specialty campaigns, crowdfunding and other annual giving initiatives.
• Develop expertise in the Hustle texting platform to create, manage and execute 1:1 text messaging campaigns that drive donor engagement and participation.

Reporting & Operations

• Track campaign progress by utilizing VQ reports, dashboards and cases for reporting, and work closely with the Associate Director of Donor Insights on campaign analysis and performance insights.
• Provide ongoing giving updates and donor reports to key stakeholders.
• Manage specialty campaign operations, including updating the DAR/MarComm master calendar, entering and managing projects in Wrike, and maintaining campaign and volunteer codes to ensure reporting accuracy.
• Develop slide decks for working groups and leadership presentations.
• Help manage the Annual Giving budget by working with vendors, processing payments and purchasing campaign incentives and materials.

Collaboration & Other Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving colleagues and provide event support as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships :
This position does not have supervisory responsibility.
This position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Annual Giving Strategic Campaigns.
Work Environment:
This position will be located in the Nashville, TN area. It will be hybrid with an expectation of being in the office about one day per week or more depending on business needs.
Education and Certifications:

• A Bachelor's Degree, or the equivalent, is necessary.

Qualifications:

• Four years of experience, or the equivalent, is necessary; Prefer experience with higher education development
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work independently but also collaboratively in a team environment
• Goal-oriented mindset and innovative thinking
• Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employees
• Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information
• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt's donor management system
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to ever changing priorities
• Some evening and weekend work, as needed

About Us
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of "America's Best Large Employers" as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.