Director of Annual Giving

Position Title: Director of Annual Giving

Department: Advancement

Reports to: Vice President for Advancement

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Job Classification: Full-time, Salaried

Weekly Hours: 37.5

Work Location: On-site; Hybrid eligible, once eligibility is met

ABOUT CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) is a fully accredited ecumenical graduate school located in Indianapolis, IN related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and serving the whole people of God. We welcome all faiths to explore/ engage in an intellectually rigorous, spiritually formative, and emotionally supportive education that equips our students to go out into all the world and serve-whether that is in the church or out in the community. CTS also offers a robust counseling program that provides professional counseling preparation and spiritual/theological integration for those training to become mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, pastoral psychotherapists, and spiritual care specialists.

POSITION SUMMARY

The director of annual giving is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive annual giving program for all current and prospective donor constituencies including CTS alumni, faculty, staff, and friends in support of Christian Theological Seminary's mission. The director will support activities focused on enhancing loyalty and pride through philanthropic support among CTS alumni and from the community. The director of annual giving reports to the vice president for advancement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop and execute a detailed multiyear strategic plan and fiscal year operating plan for the annual giving program targeting unrestricted and restricted contributions including the Disciples Mission Fund (DMF).
• Implement data-driven strategies to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) for annual giving goals and objectives including overall dollars raised and total donors secured; renewal, lapsed, and new donor acquisition percentages and related dollar results; leadership annual gifts through the 1924 Annual Giving Society; and overall alumni giving participation percentages.
• Develop and implement a coordinated matrix of communications and solicitations building awareness of and affinity with the case for annual philanthropic support and generating a sustainable and predictable base of financial support. Solicitations will include direct mail, e-appeals, social media, and to the extent possible, personal contacts.
• Partner with advancement/communications colleagues to create and strategically sequence compelling qualitative and quantitative annual giving content for social media, institutional and advancement websites, publications, and the full range of segmented appeals and donor acknowledgments.
• Facilitate the dissemination of annual giving appeals to key CTS volunteer leaders including members of the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board of Directors in coordination with the vice president for advancement.
• See the full job description for all essential functions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

The successful candidate should possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully fulfill the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Demonstrated experience with annual giving and/or related fundraising campaigns.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Appropriate attunement to details, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Commitment to data-driven decision-making and program evaluation; strong analytical orientation and capabilities.
• Proficiency in written and verbal communication.
• Understanding of the opportunities and responsibilities represented through the strategic overlap between institutional funding priorities and donor motivations and interests.
• See the full job description for all required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience in a seminary, theological institution, faith-based, or social services organization preferred but not required.
• Minimum of three years of annual giving and direct response/solicitation experience.
• Demonstrated capacity to foster open and productive relationships with various internal and external constituents.
• Resonance with the mission, vision, and core values of Christian Theological Seminary.
• Must possess a valid Indiana Driver's License, have a driving record that meets the requirements of an eligible CTS driver, and be able to travel to meet with a wide variety of seminary constituents.
• Evening and weekend hours are required; overnight travel may be necessary.

MORE ABOUT CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

CTS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate with respect to recruitment, hiring, or any other status of employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other category protected by law.