Director of Annual Giving, Athletics

At the University of Cincinnati Foundation, we commit ourselves to providing a place where everyone belongs. We care deeply about those in our community, while also taking care to nurture new relationships. We have the courage to dream big, drive excellence and uphold integrity in our work.

Structure

The Director of Annual Giving for Athletics is an exempt (salaried) position employed by the University of Cincinnati Foundation and reports to the Assistant Vice President of Annual Giving and Integrated Marketing (AGIM).

Focus

The Director’s primary area of focus is leading the development and implementation of effective multi-channel solicitation programs to support the priorities of University of Cincinnati Athletics. The Director will collaborate with a team in the management and execution of a comprehensive annual giving fundraising direct marketing and audience development strategy designed to align and galvanize our alumni, donors and fans to advance UC Athletics priorities. Using an omnichannel approach that incorporates digital and print assets, the director optimizes resources to create a cohesive brand experience for alumni, donors and fans with an emphasis on promoting philanthropy intended to yield active participation in support of UC Athletics priorities.

Specific Duties

Lead across teams by providing strategic guidance to Alumni and Annual Giving colleagues. Ensure that strategies and tactics are aligned with wider University, Athletics, Foundation and Alumni Association priorities.

Implement the Athletics annual giving fundraising direct marketing strategy and support the creative direction, brand management, storytelling and audience development for the UC Foundation’s omnichannel Athletics annual giving fundraising direct marketing campaigns.

Build strong relationships with internal and external partners that drive cross-departmental success through effective collaboration and open communication.

Lead, motivate and manage assigned staff; establish objectives, set performance standards and productivity metrics, and evaluate performance; provide appropriate levels of training, mentoring and professional development. Assign and direct projects and oversee day-to-day operations.

Create and execute a 12-month omnichannel annual giving fundraising plan for UC Athletics. Core components include direct mail, email, video, web, social media, environmental graphics, digital ads and other channels as determined. Develop appropriate, highly segmented audiences for all campaigns.

Act as the lead project manager for Athletics annual giving campaigns and execute of a high-volume, robust content calendar with a strong commitment to meeting deadlines, managing brand standards and generating annual fund revenue.

Write and contribute to the messaging for annual giving fundraising campaigns, ensuring the hierarchy of messaging elevates institutional priorities and tells stories of impact through philanthropy. Utilize existing Athletics content and marketing assets, as available and relevant.

Serve as an audience development specialist and systems liaison, developing intentional, segmented audiences for all Athletics annual giving campaigns. Be proficient in Blackbaud CRM. Provide thought leadership and execution of audience development, reporting and data analysis for Athletics annual giving, including processing and preparing data exports for mail/distribution of core campaigns and advising the assistant director on special projects. Meet deadlines to ensure campaigns are on schedule.

Oversee brand standards, creative direction and messaging for all Athletics annual giving appeals to alumni, donors and fans.

In partnership with the UC Alumni Association (UCAA), identify opportunities to integrate Athletics annual giving fundraising messaging into UCAA marketing.

Create an omnichannel marketing strategy for UC Athletics for Giving Tuesday and UC Day of Giving and participate in the planning and development of both giving days.

Standardize and prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports. Serve as a key reporting resource for UC Foundation and Athletics leadership. Support strategic decision-making through the execution of data-driven reporting and analytics, including special projects, goal tracking, and direct marketing performance. Analyze departmental outreach to evaluate effectiveness, demonstrate impact, and inform future initiatives.

Participate in the management of all administrative functions including tasks associated with leading a professional staff, overseeing a strategic budget to maximize resources, selecting vendors to enable outreach and increase efficiency, supervising vendor relationships and freelance talent, serving as a liaison for internal and external partners, representing the organization and brand as needed.

Contribute to the overall success of the Division by producing creative ideas that elevate the success of University Advancement and generate annual fund support.

Other duties, as assigned.

What We Offer

The anticipated starting salary range for the Director, Annual Giving (Athletics) role is $70,000-$85,000 annually. When determining the final offer amount the UC Foundation considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, external market data, as well as, market and business considerations when making compensation decisions.

At the UC Foundation, we understand the importance of providing both a desirable work environment as well as benefits that provide our employee’s peace of mind and work/life balance. We offer a total rewards package inclusive of performance based bonus, as well as, competitive health and wellness benefits, tuition remission, retirement with employer match, paid parental leave, and paid vacation, sick time and holidays, including calendar year-end closing. To learn more, visit our careers page.

Requirements

Bachelors’ degree with 5-7 years of experience in higher education annual giving fundraising, development, alumni relations or stewardship is preferred, or an advanced degree with 3-5 years of experience. Experience in Athletics annual giving fundraising is a plus.

Ability to lead staff, prepare and deliver presentations, manage relationships with internal and external partners, work both independently and collaboratively. Self-motivated, team-player.

Strong understanding of HTML in email marketing and website management.

Experience in digital and electronic communications including content management, graphic design, PowerPoint, excel and Microsoft office products.

Proven skills in organizational planning, interpersonal, written, and verbal communications; a persuasive and passionate communicator.

Ability to analyze data in order to develop solicitation strategies, measure outcomes, and create and execute viable operational plans.

Knowledge and experience using fundraising databases required. Experience with Blackbaud CRM preferred.

Organizational ability and timeliness. Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities, produce quality work and meet strict deadlines.

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, honesty and accountability.

Physical Demands

This position is considered to have light work. Exerting up to 20lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up a negligible of force constantly to move objects. This position requires the operation of a motor vehicle. This position also requires:

Reaching

Lifting

Finger use

Talking

Hearing

Repetitive motion of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, this position is subject primarily to indoor conditions and occasionally to outside environmental conditions.

Pre-Hire Requirements

The UC Foundation seeks talented, collaborative and mission-focused individuals to join our advancement team in driving philanthropic support for the University of Cincinnati and UC Health. All offers of full-time employment are contingent upon passing a criminal background check and drug test. Positions requiring a degree are also contingent upon education verification.