Job Description

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving is responsible for the planning, implementation, and execution of annual giving initiatives designed to increase donor participation and annual philanthropic support. This position manages university-wide annual giving campaigns, partners with academic and administrative units, and collaborates with colleagues across the Division of Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy to achieve annual fundraising goals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Annual Giving Management (70%)

• Develop and execute annual giving initiatives that increase donor participation and philanthropic support.
• Lead the planning and execution of university-wide annual giving campaigns, including Govs Give, GOVing Tuesday, Faculty and Staff Giving, and Student Giving initiatives.
• Manage the Pave the Way Brick Campaign, including donor engagement, order coordination, and stewardship activities.
• Partner with assigned colleges and university units to identify annual giving priorities and develop fundraising opportunities aligned with institutional goals.
• Assist with donor segmentation, campaign planning, and annual giving strategy development.
• Monitor annual giving performance metrics and recommend strategies to improve participation, donor retention, and fundraising results.
• Collaborate with the Operations and Communications teams to develop and implement annual giving communications, stewardship initiatives, and campaign materials.
• Provide leadership, oversight, and mentorship for Graduate Assistant involvement in student philanthropy initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Collaboration and Engagement (30%)

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Division of Alumni, Engagement and Philanthropy to support integrated fundraising initiatives.
• Represent Annual Giving at university events, alumni programs, donor engagement activities, and other fundraising events as appropriate.
• Coordinate stewardship and donor engagement opportunities that strengthen donor relationships and encourage continued philanthropic support.
• Assist with sponsorship and volunteer engagement opportunities connected to annual giving initiatives.
• Support special projects and other fundraising initiatives as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain meaningful donor and campus relationships.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor stewardship, and annual giving best practices.
• Ability to analyze fundraising data and utilize reporting to inform strategy.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and exceptional customer service.
• Proficiency with CRM databases and Microsoft Office applications.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of one year of experience in fundraising, advancement, sales, marketing, business development, higher education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of stakeholders to achieve common goals and objectives.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and travel as required for fundraising and university events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, higher education advancement, or nonprofit fundraising.
• Experience managing fundraising campaigns and donor engagement initiatives.
• Knowledge of Blackbaud CRM or comparable fundraising databases.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Austin Peay State University is a four-year public, doctoral-level university, with six colleges and four Chairs of Excellence. The University has an enrollment of over 11,000 students and is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a community of an estimated 150,287 people located approximately 40 miles northwest of Nashville, TN.

Austin Peay State University is a proud supporter of hiring veterans. We hire veterans with equivalent experiences and pay grades from their military service, rather than requiring or preferring only college degrees. Please visit our website for more information on how veterans can qualify for additional employment opportunities at APSU: https://www.apsu.edu/human-resources/hiring-veterans/

Austin Peay State University (APSU) prohibits discrimination in all employment, programs, and activities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. For Title IX inquiries or complaints, contact: Chief of Institutional Culture & Title IX Coordinator, LaNeeça R. Williams at williamslr@apsu.edu | 931-221-7690, Browning Building, Room 140, Clarksville, TN 37044. For other non-discrimination concerns, contact: Director of Institutional Culture & Title VI & Title VII Coordinator, Dr. Jo Baldwin at baldwinjapsu.edu | 931-221-7178 or Associate Director of Accessibility Compliance & ADA/504 Coordinator, Jayme Glover at gloverj@apsu.edu | 931-221-7160. View APSU’s full nondiscrimination policy at Policy 6:001.