"Assistant Director of Campaign and Principal Gift Operations"

Job Summary

Auburn Advancement is excited to begin the search for an Assistant Director of Campaign and Principal Gift Operations to join our philanthropy team! In this position, you'll play a role in executing operational philanthropy strategies and coordinate fundraising initiatives.

What You'll Do:

• Lead with Vision. Support the planning and execution of Auburn's comprehensive fundraising campaign, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long-term goals.
• Engage and Inspire. Collaborate with university leadership, faculty, fundraisers, and volunteers to build a strong culture of philanthropy and meaningful donor engagement.
• Drive Impactful Fundraising. Assist in developing and executing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal gift donors.
• Champion Philanthropy. Use data and market research to inform fundraising strategies, assess campaign performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Advance Strategic Initiatives. Manage daily campaign operations, reporting, and event execution to ensure progress toward strategic fundraising milestones.

Why You'll Love It Here:

• Impactful Work. Your efforts will directly contribute to the growth and success of Auburn University and its priorities.
• Collaborative Environment. Join a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to making a difference.
• Purpose Driven Work. Align your passion and fulfillment to your work, where you're trusted to reach your full potential and achieve your pinnacle career experience.
• Culture by Design. Thrive in a culture that champions respect, accountability, and professional development.

Now is the perfect time to join Auburn Advancement, a dynamic team encompassing Operations and Strategy, Culture and Talent, Engagement, Philanthropy, and Communications. Under the visionary leadership of Senior Vice President Rob Wellbaum - a seasoned and respected advancement professional - our organization is set to revolutionize the future of Advancement.

Essential Functions

Your Responsibilities as an Assistant Director of Campaign and Principal Gift Operations:

Purpose

• Support the Senior Director with the planning and implementation of Auburn's comprehensive fundraising campaign, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and campaign timelines.
• Assist with the development and execution of principal gift strategies focused on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-level donors.
• Contribute to long-term campaign planning, including campaign phases, strategic benchmarks, and success measures.
• Develop benchmark criteria to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of fundraising initiatives, ensuring continual improvement.

Collaboration

• Partner with internal stakeholders, including senior administration, deans, faculty, frontline fundraisers, and volunteers to advance philanthropic goals and build a strong culture of giving.
• Coordinate with Advancement Events, vendors, consultants, and others to ensure successful execution of campaign-related donor engagements and initiatives.
• Contribute to the creation of individualized engagement and solicitation strategies for key principal gift donors, ensuring seamless coordination across teams and leadership.

Innovation

• Conduct and analyze market research to understand donor attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors, informing strategy and messaging.
• Help refine principal gift strategy and donor engagement approaches based on data, research, and evolving best practices.

Production

• Direct and manage campaign events by recommending scope, nature, location, and timing, coordinate logistics and communication across stakeholders.
• Oversee daily operations of the campaign office, maintaining strong alignment with goals and timelines.
• Support the Senior Director with campaign reporting efforts by compiling information related to progress, standards, and financial benchmarks.

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We're Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 5 years of experience in campaign operations, fundraising, development, event coordination, or a related field.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations or related field.
• Master's Degree

Salary Range:

$60,630 - $109,130

Job Category:

Communications/Public Relations/Marketing

City position is located in

Auburn

State position is located

AL