Description
The Annual Giving Manager leads the development and execution of the university’s comprehensive annual giving program. This position is responsible for strategically growing annual, renewable, and upgraded philanthropic support from alumni, friends, parents, faculty, staff, and other key constituents through integrated digital initiatives, direct mail, leadership annual giving efforts, personal outreach, and special campaigns. The Annual Giving Manager oversees the planning, implementation, and assessment of annual giving strategies designed to increase donor participation, strengthen donor retention, and enhance overall fundraising performance. This role reports to the Assistant Vice President for Development and collaborates closely with members of the Advancement team and campus partners.
The individual in this position is expected to champion the core values of the university’s development program — passion for OCU, meaningful partnership with donors, sustained philanthropic support for OCU, and a people-centered approach — while demonstrating leadership, professionalism, strategic thinking, and a strong commitment to fostering positive relationships through all interactions and activities.
Job Duties:
Demonstrate leadership and professionalism that reflect and advance the mission, vision, and core values of the department and the university.Lead the development, execution, and assessment of annual giving strategies, including direct mail, email, digital, and phone campaigns, with a focus on increasing donor participation, retention, recurring giving, and overall philanthropic support.Manage and oversee digital fundraising initiatives, including the strategic integration of social media and online engagement platforms such as LinkedIn, GiveCampus, Facebook, Instagram, and other emerging tools to support donor engagement and solicitation efforts.
Direct the planning, coordination, and execution of the university’s Day of Giving and other institution-wide fundraising campaigns, ensuring alignment with advancement goals and measurable fundraising outcomes.
Develop and implement comprehensive e-solicitation strategies, including content creation, campaign segmentation, performance tracking, and data-driven analysis to optimize engagement and fundraising success.
Oversee the direct mail fundraising process, including donor segmentation strategies, project timelines, vendor coordination, and the development of compelling fundraising messaging and appeals.
Collaborate strategically with Donor Relations, Alumni Engagement, and Advancement colleagues to strengthen donor communications, enhance alumni participation, and support a unified advancement strategy.
Ensure the integrity and effective utilization of donor and engagement data within Raiser’s Edge, including oversight of data management processes, reporting, segmentation, and constituent tracking.
Lead outreach and engagement strategies for recent alumni, parents, and event participants to cultivate and strengthen the annual giving donor pipeline.
Manage and coordinate annual giving initiatives that support campus-wide philanthropic participation, including the faculty and staff Campus Campaign.
Provide strategic support and leadership for additional Advancement initiatives and special projects as assigned in support of the university’s fundraising priorities and institutional goals.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively engage and collaborate with colleagues, donors, alumni, volunteers, campus partners, and external stakeholders.
Strong project management skills with the ability to independently oversee multiple fundraising initiatives and campaigns simultaneously while managing timelines, priorities, deliverables, and cross-functional collaboration.
Excellent organizational and time management abilities, including strong attention to detail and the capacity to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Proficiency and comfort working with a variety of technology platforms, including CRM and donor database systems such as Raiser’s Edge, email marketing tools, fundraising and engagement platforms, website content management systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and other digital communication technologies.
Ability to analyze campaign performance data and utilize reporting tools to inform fundraising strategies, donor engagement efforts, and operational decision-making.
Strong written communication skills with the ability to develop compelling donor-facing content, fundraising appeals, stewardship messaging, and digital communications.
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively, exercising sound judgment, initiative, professionalism, and a proactive approach to problem-solving and project execution.
Familiarity with annual giving strategies, donor engagement best practices, direct mail campaigns, digital fundraising tools, and multi-channel solicitation efforts.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive donor and institutional information with discretion, professionalism, and integrity.
Commitment to understanding and advancing the university’s mission, history, traditions, and philanthropic priorities through meaningful donor engagement and stewardship.
Familiarity with donor-centered fundraising principles, including the Donor Bill of Rights and best practices in donor relations and stewardship.
Willingness to continuously learn and adapt to emerging fundraising technologies, digital engagement trends, and advancement best practices.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
2-3 years of related experience in fundraising, marketing, or customer service is preferred but not required.
A suitable combination of education and experience may be substituted for minimum qualifications.
