The Assistant Director of Annual Giving ( Annual Giving Coordinator) plays a pivotal role in developing, implementing, and managing comprehensive strategies for annual giving programs. This position oversees multichannel fundraising efforts, including Alumni Center for Engagement (ACE) campaigns, and digital solicitations. The Assistant Director collaborates with campus partners to enhance donor engagement, acquisition, and retention efforts and provides strategic guidance to ensure the success of annual giving initiatives.

Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, the Assistant Director supervises student staff, evaluates program effectiveness, and ensures data-driven decision-making in support of institutional goals. The position requires exceptional communication skills, leadership, and a strong understanding of annual giving trends and technologies.

Leadership and Strategy

• Develops and executes comprehensive annual giving strategies to increase donor participation, gift retention, and total dollars raised.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the Alumni Center for Engagement program, including managing staff and creating innovative calling campaigns.
• Set annual goals and objectives in collaboration with the Director of Annual Giving, aligning with university fundraising priorities.

Program Management

• Oversees multichannel solicitation efforts, including crowdfunding, parent campaigns, and social media campaigns, to engage a diverse donor base.
• Supervises and mentors a team of student supervisors, and callers, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Manages budgets, timelines, and resources for annual giving programs to ensure efficient and effective operations.

Donor Engagement and Retention

• Design donor acquisition and retention strategies tailored to specific audiences, including alumni, parents, and friends of the university.
• Partners with development officers, university leadership, and academic units to enhance the donor experience and stewardship.
• Implements data-driven approaches to segment and personalize donor communications for maximum impact.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Analyzes fundraising data and campaign performance to evaluate program success and identify areas for improvement.
• Prepares reports for university leadership, highlighting progress toward goals and key performance indicators.
• Stays informed on industry trends and emerging technologies to inform strategic decision-making.

Collaboration and Partnership

• Collaborates with Advancement Services to ensure accurate and timely processing of gifts and donor acknowledgments.
• Partners with campus units to integrate annual giving efforts with broader fundraising initiatives.
• Supports university-wide giving days and other high-visibility fundraising events.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of experience in fundraising, development, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing annual giving programs at a higher education institution.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and donor stewardship practices.
• Crowdfunding experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of annual giving strategies, tools, and best practices.
• Proficiency in fundraising software, CRM systems, crowdfunding platforms, and data analysis tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities.
• Leadership skills with a track record of mentoring and developing staff.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
2. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile
3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

The Division of Advancement is a welcoming office where inclusiveness and teamwork are highly valued. Advancement staff are engaged in the meaningful work of securing private financial resources to fuel Utah State University's mission by creating gratifying gift and engagement experiences for USU's generous and passionate alumni and friends. Comprising the division are the office of the Vice President, the USU Foundation & Board, Advancement Services, the Alumni Association (Alumni Engagement), Gift Planning, Corporations and Foundations, Strategic Communications, Stewardship and Donor Engagement, the Annual Fund and ACE (Alumni Center for Engagement). Furthermore, the division coordinates all fundraising efforts across campus, including colleges, various programs, extension campuses, and USU Athletics. Through the collaboration of these units, the Division of Advancement is able to achieve significant annual fundraising goals by inspiring stakeholders to invest their time and resources in Utah State University. 

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 01/2025

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023