"Assistant Director of Annual Giving Programs and Direct Marketing"

Job Details

Chief Objective of Position

This position leads and manages direct mail, email, text, crowdfunding, and digital campaigns, ensuring timely execution and alignment with fundraising goals. It involves designing and implementing a comprehensive annual giving program for academic departments and programs, as well as collaborating on the university’s Day of Giving and Faculty/Staff Campaign. The role also manages the appeal schedule, assists in crafting and proofreading donor communications, and leverages data-driven insights to optimize marketing strategies and improve donor engagement. Manages the acquisition and stewardship of recurring annual donors, overseeing recognition programs and engagement strategies.

Work Tasks

• Serves as the primary project manager for direct mail, email, text, crowdfunding, and digital campaigns, ensuring timely execution and alignment with goals
• Responsible for the strategy, design, and implementation of a comprehensive annual giving program for academic departments and programs with the goal of increasing donor participation
• Collaborates with the Director of Annual Giving Programs in the planning and execution of the university’s annual Day of Giving and Faculty/Staff Campaigns
• Oversees the division-wide appeal schedule, coordinating efforts across multiple channels to maintain consistency and effectiveness and prevent donor fatigue
• Assists in the creation and proofreading of solicitation appeals, pledge acknowledgements, stewardship gestures, and datafiles
• Collaborates with the Office of Communications and Public Relations and fellow division members to ensure cohesive messaging, branding, and implementation
• Responsible for analyzing and utilizing data to inform marketing strategies and improve donor engagement
• Responsible for the acquisition and stewardship of recurring annual giving donors, including gift anniversaries and annual giving society benefits
• Provides support for division and campus-wide events
• This position is designated as a “responsible employee” who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.
• Develops and maintains very positive and professional customer service and/or relations within the office/department and with all constituencies to include students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees. Demonstrates a positive and professional attitude and treats everyone with dignity and respect. Fully supports the “Student’s First” value at CNU and routinely goes the extra mile in providing service.
• Reviews and communicates safety issues to assure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) related to position

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Computer skills in database management, word processing and spreadsheets
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines
• Managerial, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend events

Required Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Experience Required

Demonstrated experience in managing, designing, and implementing programs and marketing materials – including direct mail, email, text crowdfunding, and digital campaigns

Background in fundraising or development operations

Experience working in a customer service environment

Company

Selected by The Princeton Review to be included in The 388 Best Colleges: 2023 Edition, Christopher Newport University is a public school offering a private school experience – great teaching, small classes, and a safe, vibrant campus. The University is located in Newport News, Virginia, enrolls approximately 5,000 students, and is dedicated to the ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service. Academic programs at Christopher Newport University encompass more than 90 areas of study, from biology to business administration and political science to the performing arts. The University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges guide as 2nd among public regional universities in the South and 5th overall, and has recently completed more than $1 billion in capital construction on its 260-acre campus.

Christopher Newport University is committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed, honored, and fully engaged in the life of our academic community. We recruit exceptional and diverse faculty and encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in their profession. For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit https://www.cnu.edu/