Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to [email protected]
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Vice President for Donor Engagement and Chief Marketing Officer, the Senior Director of Annual Giving Programs oversees all aspects of the OSU Foundation’s centralized academic annual giving programs, including a comprehensive multi-channel marketing, solicitation, and retention program, unit-based and university-wide annual giving initiatives, constituency-based programming and volunteer engagement, and a leadership annual giving donor experience program. The Senior Director leads a team responsible for increasing academic annual giving revenue (gifts under $50,000), increasing the number of annual giving donors and donor retention, increasing the engagement of annual giving donors, and strengthening the major gift pipeline.
The position demonstrates a strong commitment to using technology and data analysis to personalize and scale the Foundation’s Annual Giving efforts to improve fundraising and engagement outcomes. This includes generating data from constituent communications and interactions. The role works closely with the Foundation’s Vice President for Technology and Innovation to advance the Foundation’s goal to be at the forefront of innovation in our profession.
The Senior Director serves as a visible and vocal champion for the importance of giving and a culture of philanthropy across all university and Foundation constituencies, including employees, alumni, parents, students, recent graduates and other supporters.
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Lead the development of annual goals and plans for academic annual giving to ensure a healthy donor pipeline, including annual dollars raised, donor goals, and $1k+ donor goals. Monitor progress, develop reports, and deploy analytics to make necessary improvements to meet and exceed goals.
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Lead, manage, develop and mentor annual giving team members. Build and develop a cohesive, integrated team. Exercise full supervision over assigned staff, make appropriate hiring decisions, establish work plans and accountabilities, provide training and professional development, and ensure required training is received, conduct performance evaluations, effectively manage behavioral and conduct issues.
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Use data and digital technology to enhance the donor experience, increase donors, and optimize fundraising performance. This includes utilizing machine learning, predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, sales enablement technology, and marketing automation. Collaborate with the Technology and Innovation team to advance the Foundation’s digital technology and innovation goals.
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Lead the development and execution of solicitation and stewardship strategies, encompassing both unit-based and university-wide initiatives. Oversee the creation and implementation of marketing campaigns across various channels to engage donors, alumni, and the broader community with the right message based on their interests. Work with unit leads to develop unit-specific annual giving goals and plans. Work closely with Marketing and Communications team to ensure that all initiatives align with the Foundation’s branding and messaging.
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Ensure the development and execution of a comprehensive stewardship plan for all annual giving donors that increases donor retention and builds a pipeline for increased giving and engagement at all annual giving levels. This includes customized stewardship strategies and communications for key annual giving segments, including unassigned donors, first-time donors, mid-level donors, and loyalty/consecutive donors; donors from target constituencies; and donors to certain areas.
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Oversee the development and implementation of fundraising and donor volunteer engagement strategies for key constituent and recognition groups, including OSUF’s Beaver Leadership Circle, Women’s Giving Circle, parents, employees, alumni employees, recent graduates and other leadership groups. Work in partnership with Director of Constituent Engagement and Stewardship, Annual Giving Programs, to develop and execute a comprehensive plan to grow constituency groups and increase annual giving volunteers.
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Lead the university’s Day of Giving. Chair university-wide planning committee and work collaboratively with departments across the university and Foundation to execute OSU’s largest single annual engagement activity. Develop and execute robust solicitation and engagement plan that reaches yearly objectives for funds raised, donor participation, increased brand awareness and an enhanced culture of philanthropy.
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Lead pipeline development and leadership giving retention programs including Donor Experience Officer (DXO) Program, in conjunction with the Director of Donor Experience, Annual Giving Programs. Oversee deployment of innovative technology and sales enablement tools to provide personalized donor outreach at scale. Conduct regular analysis of quantitative and qualitative results of DXO work to inform program strategy, including developing cadence strategies that improve DXO fundraising performance. Work with Director of Pipeline Development to ensure alignment with Foundation’s pipeline health goals and objectives
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In partnership with designated university and foundation leads develop strategies for 100% participation from key university leadership groups, including Provost’s Council and University Cabinet. Track and report status of OSU Foundation Trustees and OSUAA Board of Directors annual giving. Work with relationship managers to ensure yearly commitments are met.
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Ensure quality and accuracy for all annual giving functions. Develop robust protocols and processes for proofing and data management.
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Manage budget to ensure resources are allocated appropriately for outlined goals.
- Provide thought leadership on emerging annual giving trends for colleagues within the Foundation and at the university. Provide industry best practices and peer institution benchmarking.
Knowledge/Skills:
Comprehensive knowledge of:
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Best practices in annual giving for educational institutions.
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Multi-channel marketing, including traditional channels (e.g., direct mail) and digital channels (email, websites, social media).
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Digital technology and analytics, such as machine learning, predictive modeling, artificial intelligence, sales enablement technology, and marketing automation.
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Customer/donor retention and engagement strategies
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Client services models, including marketing operations and project management.
Proven skill in:
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Persuasive written and verbal communication
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Meeting and exceeding revenue and customer/donor goals
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Deploying technology to improve performance and customer experience
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Data analysis for traditional and digital marketing efforts, including email and landing page performance, website analytics, direct-response performance, and overall revenue performance
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Leading, mentoring and motivating teams
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Staff supervision and performance accountability
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Budget management
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Volunteer recruitment and stewardship
Demonstrated ability to:
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Be aware of, control, and express one's emotions appropriately, and to handle interpersonal relationships maturely, thoughtfully and empathetically, including the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
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Work as a self‐starter and self‐motivator
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Work independently and collaboratively in a complex organization
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Adapt quickly to new opportunities and emerging data
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Network with colleagues across the industry to identify best practices
- Prioritize and manage multiple tasks
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Apply sound judgment and conduct oneself with integrity
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Behave in a manner that ensures the confidentiality of data
Measures of Success:
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Increase academic annual giving revenue, over the 5-year average
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Increase the number of academic annual giving donors at the leadership annual giving level of $1000-plus, over the five-year average
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Sustain and grow the total number of academic annual giving donors
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Increase the retention of academic annual giving donors
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Increase engagement and giving among key annual giving constituencies (such as parents, employees, alumni employees, recent graduates and leadership circle members) with a particular focus on increasing the number of annual giving donor-volunteers
Education/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (Marketing, Communications, or Business preferred) and at least seven years of related work experience, preferably in a complex organizational setting with many stakeholders. Experience equivalencies will be considered. Must be able to display the successful implementation of marketing strategies that directly impacted organizational revenue. Must demonstrate proven supervisory experience and competence as a team supervisor.
Important Organizational Notes:
Adherence to a professional code of conduct is essential at all times, ensuring the highest standards of integrity, respect, and ethical behavior in all interactions and responsibilities. Adherence to Core Values is vital to success.
Oregon State University Foundation Core Values
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Collaborative: We convene our partners to achieve solutions.
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Productive: We get the right things done.
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Respectful: We treat one another with dignity and civility.
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Bold: We aspire to transform.
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Inclusive: We nurture a culture of belonging.
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Creative: We color outside the lines.
Classification: Exempt
What We Offer:
Compensation: Annual salary commensurate with experience
Comprehensive Benefits: a comprehensive total compensation package, which includes:
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An impressive 17% employer contribution to retirement plan (based on qualified earnings)
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Monthly employer contribution towards benefits
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Health Savings Account employer match with 1:1 match from the employer
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Employer paid program through First Stop Health—offering covered Urgent Care, Primary Care, Mental Health and Health Coaching services.
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A generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program - 300 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO)
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Two employee discount programs for access to retail, travel, and other money saving resources
Professional Growth: We invest in our employees through ongoing training, leadership development and opportunities for advancement. OSUF encourages and supports the active participation and leadership of our employees in multiple professional associations.
A Values-Driven, Engaged Culture: Our work is guided by shared values and a commitment to continuous improvement. We invest in regular employee engagement practices—including Gallup Q12 and CliftonStrengths—to listen closely, act on what we hear, and build an environment where people can do their best work.
Work Location
The work location for this position is Corvallis, OR.
