Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants please attach a cover letter and resume in PDF format.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Donor Growth (Annual Giving), the Associate Director, Marketing and Donor Growth (Annual Giving) is a forward-thinking, highly innovative partner who collaborates across teams to execute sophisticated, university-wide direct marketing fundraising strategies. This role within the Annual Giving team is a champion for innovative fundraising strategies to increase and diversify the number of donors and philanthropic dollars to Rice University, with an emphasis on supporting current use funds. Additionally, this person will manage a set of campaigns, digital initiatives, and projects focused on supporting overall growth in philanthropic support. The Associate Director, Marketing and Donor Growth (Annual Giving) role supports the shift to a digital-first approach in fundraising to align with the industry trend that identifies digital as the future.

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial self-starter and data-driven thinker with a passion for leveraging modern fundraising and marketing practices in support of higher education. This person thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to be hands-on in developing powerful digital and direct marketing fundraising campaigns.

Workplace Requirements:

• Open office environment
• Occasional travel to conferences
• Some weekend and evening work hours are required

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
• 2+ years of experience in direct marketing, digital marketing, communications, or advertising, preferably in fundraising, and/or related experience in development
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
• Advanced problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
• Strong data analysis skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
• Ability to manage a large number of project activities simultaneously
• Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary
• Strong client service orientation
• Experience with direct mail, telemarketing, and/or digital marketing
• Strong ability to understand customer needs and show good judgment and diplomacy
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they assigned

Preferences:

• Three to five years of annual giving experience at an institution of higher education or non-profit organization
• Experience creating and implementing complex, multi-channel fundraising marketing campaigns
• Experience using digital strategies and channels such as SEO, display ads, retargeting ads, email marketing, chatbots, automation, SMS, crowdfunding, etc. in fundraising campaigns
• Experience using generative or predictive artificial intelligence to develop marketing or fundraising strategies
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment in dynamic situations
• Ability to utilize strong time management skills
• Ability to analyze data and make data-driven decisions
• Knowledge of digital fundraising trends and emerging technologies
• Knowledge of project management fundamentals and the ability to influence across teams
• Strong familiarity with fundraising technology, including CRMs and platforms such as GiveCampus
• Ability to think strategically, to work collaboratively, to prioritize, and to create and follow processes
• Ability to collaborate with staff members, students, and campus partners in an organized way to carry out the multitude of background details essential in a successful annual giving campaign

Essential Functions:

• In partnership with the Director of Marketing and Donor Growth (Annual Giving), develops and oversees assigned direct marketing and fundraising campaigns. Tracks and analyzes results of each campaign and suggests innovations for future projects to continuously grow the donor base.
• Serves as an annual giving expert and liaises with assigned areas and campus partners. Ensures best and emerging practices are incorporated into solicitations across campus areas.
• Makes recommendations for campaign audiences, timing, channel mix, and creative output to optimize performance for donor and revenue growth.
• Provides support in partnership with the Director of Marketing and Donor Growth (Annual Giving) for vendor relationships to ensure accuracy and effectiveness of philanthropic campaigns and monitors budget efficiency with our contracts.
• Makes recommendations to enhance existing, or create new, digital fundraising campaign strategies and programs.
• Collaborates closely with the Marketing and Communications team in the Development and Alumni Relations division, as well as the Development Information Services team and the Development Research and Analysis team, on all fundraising projects and campaigns.
• Works closely with other colleagues in Development and Alumni Relations to align program goals with the overall philanthropic goals of the university.
• Assists with project management and production to ensure campaigns are accurately implemented on time, as needed. Helps manage and set the timeline of annual giving projects with tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities across teams.
• Collaborates with team members to review and analyze project results and make recommendations for strategy enhancements. Shares results with internal and external constituencies, as needed.
• Attends training and professional growth opportunities to stay up to date on the latest fundraising trends, technologies, strategies, and practices. Make recommendations for implementing new ideas as appropriate.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Additional Functions

• Provide exceptional customer service to all constituents, colleagues, and partners
• Requires contact within the university at all levels, including upper-level administration, in person, in meetings, in writing, and by telephone
• Requires contact outside the university with alumni, parents, and friends of Rice University, often in person, with follow-up by phone or in writing

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

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Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.