Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving

Augsburg University has maintained a strong academic reputation defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies since 1869. A welcoming campus in the heart of Minneapolis, Augsburg offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 3,200 diverse students.

Augsburg's mission is to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Augsburg invites individuals who share our mission and commitment to intentional diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to join our community. In particular, Augsburg invites BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans and those from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Summary of Position

Augsburg's Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving leads a comprehensive program for advancing the University's engagement of its alumni as well as current and future Augsburg benefactors. Supervising a team and many leadership volunteers, this position is a visible leader who inspires others and connects their work with the overall goals of the institution. This position serves on Institutional Advancement's leadership team and reports directly to Augsburg's Vice President for Institutional Advancement. As a division, Institutional Advancement holds four core values: 1. We value each person. 2. We are enterprising. 3. We are accountable. 4. We are stewards. Aligned with these values, the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving will lead strategies to identify and engage alumni and friends that will support Augsburg's mission, increase pride and awareness of Augsburg, and grow participation rates and dollars raised for the Augsburg Fund and core mission support.

Primary Responsibilities

Leadership, Management, and Supervision

• Participate in planning and implementing divisional priorities and strategies as a member of the leadership team.
• Develop, manage, and administer the departmental budget.
• Set quarterly and annual goals and manage regular evaluations including detailed work plans that support the overall division wide mission.
• Lead and manage a team, fostering a high level of accountability and supporting professional development and training of staff.
• Act as primary staff liaison for Augsburg's alumni board, organizing and executing board activities, committee work, and alumni engagement events.
• Oversee the work of Augsburg's staff and consultants who create and push out messages through direct mail, websites, social media, video, email, and through other channels that support Auggie engagement and annual giving donations.
• Partner with Advancement Services on list building and data management, essential to accurate and targeted communications.

Fundraising

• Lead strategies and execute plans to deliver on fundraising goals for the Augsburg Fund and core mission support.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual benefactors with an emphasis on alumni and parents.
• Engage and actively manage a portfolio of 50+ donors and prospects for personal solicitations including benefactors at the major and principal levels.
• Manage goals, strategies and programming that engages Augsburg's donor base, with a strong focus on donor acquisition and continued/increased giving.
• Create and manage a process for successful giving day campaigns that engage the Alumni Board, Board of Regents, key leadership volunteers, campus partners and a broad base of benefactors.
• Lead work to create, track and manage all annual solicitations, keeping current with the most effective annual giving strategies in higher education, including investigating and implementing current technology.
• Lead annual giving while employing creativity, ingenuity and metrics focused strategies, and follow through.

Alumni Engagement

• Lead the development and implementation of strategic alumni programming including events, volunteer engagement, mentoring and travel opportunities, demonstrating both short and long-term prioritization.
• Oversee participation in key communications and marketing initiatives that engage Augsburg's diverse alumni base, including Augsburg Now, web, social media, and printed and/or electronic communication and marketing initiatives.
• Lead recruitment, recognition, and retention efforts of alumni volunteers, growing this base of support year over year.
• Lead all aspects of Augsburg's Homecoming, reunion celebrations, and other event engagement coordinating with campus colleagues.
• Lead all processes pertaining to selection and distribution of alumni awards and honors.
• Serve as a visible leader and connector for groups including Augsburg Women Engaged, the A-Club, and other affinity groups.

Additional Responsibilities

• Serve on institutional leadership groups, task forces, and committees as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned in line with the goals of the division and the mission of the institution.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• This is a hybrid position which works both in the office and remotely.
• Regular computer and phone use.
• Potential for longer work hours, which could include evenings and weekends.
• Travel: up to 25% local travel, and 5% non-local and overnight travel.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least five (5) years of experience in fundraising, with at least three (3) years of experience developing and executing annual giving strategies.
• Professional experience supervising staff.
• Demonstrated experience working in CRM database(s).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing a portfolio of donors and soliciting gifts.
• Experience in planning and leading events.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge.
• Experience in working in a higher education environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Possess excellent interpersonal skills, writing and communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and outstanding ability to work with a wide range of external constituents including board members, volunteers and donors.
• Project management and planning skills; ability to effectively manage numerous projects and priorities accurately and promptly; ability to multitask, organize workflow and manage multiple projects.
• Strong computer experience and skills in MS Office, specifically in MS Word and MS Excel; proficiency with office software, databases (e.g., Raiser's Edge), and a high level of computer literacy.
• Possess strong supervisory skills, the ability to lead and teach and manage staff.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse work environment, demonstrate patience and understanding.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, leaders, external stakeholders and campus partners.
• Demonstrated ability to be attentive to details, accuracy and precision.
• Demonstrate professionalism, patience, sound judgement and independent decision making.
• Demonstrate a polished, professional character.
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

Application Requirements

To be considered for this position please include the following in your application:

• Resume (required)
• Cover letter (required)

Compensation & Benefits at Augsburg

• The compensation range is $78,000 - $85,000, DOQ.

Augsburg University offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards program including:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• A generous 403(b) matching program with an employer contributions of up to 8% upon eligibility
• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses and dependents, and participation in the Tuition Exchange program with colleges and universities throughout the US
• Generous paid time-off, including 14 paid holidays, 12 sick days, 2 community service days, and vacation of up to 22 days per year immediately upon hire
• Employer-paid STD, LTD and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Equal Opportunity Statement

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: hr@augsburg.edu.