Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving

Company Description

Augsburg University has maintained a strong academic reputation defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies since 1869. A safe and welcoming campus in the heart of Minneapolis, Augsburg offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 3,200 diverse students.

Augsburg's mission is to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Augsburg invites individuals who share our mission and commitment to intentional diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to join our community. In particular, Augsburg invites BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans and those from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Job Description

Summary of Position

Augsburg's Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving leads a comprehensive program for advancing the University's engagement of its alumni as well as all current/future benefactors to the Augsburg Fund and core mission support. Supervising a team and many leadership volunteers, this position is a visible leader who inspires others and connects their work with the overall goals of the institution. This position serves on Institutional Advancement's leadership team and reports directly to Augsburg's Vice President for Institutional Advancement. The Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving will develop and execute a comprehensive program for alumni relations, lead strategies to identify and engage alumni and friends that will support Augsburg's mission, increase pride and awareness of Augsburg, and grow participation rates and dollars raised for the Augsburg Fund and core mission support.

Primary Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward individual benefactors with gifts potential up to $2,500, with an emphasis on alumni and parents.
• Engage and actively manage a portfolio of 50+ alumni donors and prospects for personal solicitations, including members of the alumni board.
• Lead strategies and execute plans to deliver on fundraising goals for the Augsburg Fund and core mission support.
• Lead, manage and hold the team accountable to annual and quarterly key performance indicators.
• Act as primary staff liaison for Augsburg's alumni board, organizing and executing board activities, committees work and alumni events to support institutional priorities that may include mentoring, networking and fundraising.
• Develop and execute strategies for engaging Augsburg's diverse alumni base.
• Coordinate with campus partners including the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work.

Leadership, Management and Supervision

• Assisting the Vice President of Institutional Advancement in planning and implementing divisional priorities and strategies.
• Serving on institutional leadership groups, task forces, and committees as assigned.
• Develop, manage, and administer the departmental budget.
• Supervise and manage staff, volunteers, and student workers as needed.
• Set quarterly and annual goals and complete regular evaluations including detailed work plans.
• Foster professional development and training of staff.
• All other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).

Augsburg Fund and Core Mission Support

• Lead creation and implementation of comprehensive fundraising campaigns to promote and grow contributions to the Augsburg Fund and core mission support.
• Manage goals, strategies and programming that engages Augsburg's donor base, with a strong focus on donor acquisition and continued/increased giving.
• Create and manage a process for successful giving day campaigns that engage the alumni board, board of regents, key leadership volunteers, campus partners and a broad base of benefactors.
• Partners with the team to create, track and manage all annual solicitations, keeping current with the most effective annual giving strategies in higher education.
• Employ creativity, ingenuity and follow through for all annual giving campaign details.
• Communicate regularly with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Chief Financial Officer and other key leaders on strategic areas of core mission support.

Strategic Communications

• Lead a comprehensive plan to manage communication strategies for Institutional Advancement coordinating with the Vice President, Senior Philanthropic Communications Specialist and Communications Specialist.
• Lead and partner with the university's marketing and communications department.
• Oversee the work of Augsburg's communication specialist and consultants as needed who create and push out messages through direct mail, websites, social media, video, email, and through other channels that support Auggie engagement and annual giving donations.
• Create and execute communications by mail, email, and through social media.
• Oversee participation in key communications and marketing initiatives in which alumni, parents, and/or donors are targeted as recipients. This includes Augsburg Now, web, social media, and printed and/or electronic communication and marketing initiatives.
• Work closely with Advancement Services on list building and data management that are essential to accurate and targeted communications.

Alumni Relations

• Oversee the development and implementation of all alumni programming including events, volunteer engagement, mentoring and travel opportunities.
• Create and implement strategic engagement strategies with Augsburg's diverse alumni base demonstrating both short and long-term prioritization.
• Creating and implementing short and long-term strategic plans for building engagement through volunteerism, event attendance, and financial support.
• Lead recruitment, recognition, and retention efforts of alumni volunteers.
• Lead all aspects of Augsburg's Homecoming including reunion celebrations while coordinating all efforts with events, athletics, and other members of the advancement staff.
• Lead all processes pertaining to selection and distribution of alumni awards and honors.
• Seek ways to support and assist admissions in the recruitment efforts that connect to alumni.
• Lead meetings with the alumni board and their committees.
• Speaking to and being a visible leader and connector for groups including Augsburg Women Engaged, the A-Club, and others.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Typical work environment is in an office.
• Regular computer keyboard and monitor use.
• Potential for longer work hours, which could include evenings and weekends.
• Travel: up to 25% local travel, 5% non-local and overnight travel.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years of experience in fundraising, relationship building, and team leadership required.
• Experience managing a portfolio of donors and soliciting gifts.
• Ability to interface with external constituents, donors, board members, and volunteers.
• Demonstrated competence in relational databases required.
• Experience developing and executing alumni relations or annual giving strategies, candidates with experience in both would be preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• Experience with Raiser's Edge.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess excellent interpersonal skills, writing and communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and outstanding ability to work with a wide range of volunteers and donors.
• Possess strong supervisory skills, the ability to lead and teach and manage staff.
• Discretion and good judgment in handling sensitive and/or confidential information and situations.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse work environment, demonstrate patience and understanding.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to be attentive to details, be accurate, be precise.
• Ability to work in a team environment; work independently or with little supervision.
• Ability to reason and analyze.
• Ability to show initiative and manage frequent interruptions.

Disclaimer

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. This job description may be revised at any time with or without notice. Revised job descriptions will be provided to staff occupying the role. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Additional Information

Benefits at Augsburg

Augsburg University offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards program including:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• A generous 403(b) matching program with an employer contributions of up to 8% upon eligibility
• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses and dependents, and participation in the Tuition Exchange program with colleges and universities throughout the US
• Generous paid time-off, including 14 paid holidays, 12 sick days, 2 community service days, and vacation of up to 22 days per year immediately upon hire
• Employer-paid STD, LTD and life insurance
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Augsburg's Statement regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations

For the safety of our students, employees and the community in which we live and work, Augsburg requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. For individuals who are unable to be vaccinated due to religious or medical reasons, Augsburg offers exemptions and accommodations.

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Statement

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: hr@augsburg.edu.