Associate Director, Leadership Annual Giving

Department: Alumni Relations & Development

Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

The Associate Director, Leadership Giving Officer position is responsible for strategizing and executing a robust individual solicitation plan among 400-500 assigned prospects, leveraging strategically sequenced touches and prioritizing the $10,000-$25,000 annual levels, including asks for gift renewals, upgrades, and reactivations. Through this work, the position warms up and maintains the University's donor pipeline towards the ultimate goal of qualifying and referring prospects for faster, more efficient cultivation by Major Gift programs.

Please note: The target budgeted salary for this position is $78,500 to $82,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University.

Our office operates in a hybrid model and offers the option of working three days in the office and two days remote. There will be occasional travel throughout the year.

For full consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume.

We are recruiting for two positions.

This role includes structured professional development through Plus Delta's Discipline of Frontline Fundraising program, providing high-quality training to strengthen fundamental skills in donor cultivation, solicitation, portfolio management, and strategic relationship building. Additional ARD resources further connect Northwestern policies and processes with the best practices introduced in Plus Delta's curriculum.

Specific Responsibilities:

Collaboration

• Involves a moderate- to high-level of collaboration with both internal department partners and a moderate level of collaboration with broader University partners to identify & integrate resources in order to accomplish strategic goals & objectives.
• Please bullet examples of key partnerships and work involved below:
• Prospect Research & Development
• Regional Major Gift Officers
• Schools & Programs teams
• Alumni Engagement liaisons

Prospects & Gifts

• Develops, plans & implements strategies, goals & approach for 1 large or a number of portions of the less complex relationship programming
• Responsible for relationship management of volunteers and donors.
• Identifies prospects.
• Develops and implements individual engagement plans.
• Personally solicits gifts.
• Plans and/or executes stewardship.

Volunteers

• Recruits, engages, trains, and manages volunteers.
• Coordinates volunteer strategies with other development staff, including volunteer events, programming, marketing materials and social networking efforts.

Events

• Develops, plans & implements strategies, goals & approach for 1 large or a number of portions of the less complex programs &/or events that promote engagement & philanthropic opportunities.
• Identifies target audience(s).
• Recruits & manages volunteers.

Administration

• Manages development and execution of programming and marketing related to engagement and solicitation.
• Determines key tactics.
• Articulates goals and timelines.
• Provides work direction to colleagues or collaborators.
• Provides necessary documentation and follow-up to donors, volunteers & internal contacts and inputs all volunteer and alumni activity in database.
• Monitors and analyzes program metrics, including engagement activity, gifts/pledges, etc.
• Ensures that proper stewardship and gift pledge follow-up occurs.
• Analyzes segment, group, program, event metrics and reports to manager.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of industry best practices.
• Optimizes the use of technology including social media for marketing, communications & data reporting & analysis.
• Assists in the development of dashboards & metrics which provide quantitative analysis of program & event outcomes.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelors or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 4 years of development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

Relationship Management and Donor Engagement

• Ability to build, cultivate, and sustain relationships with donors, volunteers, alumni, and stakeholders to increase giving, engagement, and long-term support.

Fundraising and Solicitation Skills

• Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, solicit, renew, upgrade, and reactivate donors through strategic outreach and stewardship activities.

Strategic Portfolio Management

• Ability to manage a large portfolio of prospects, prioritize activities, develop engagement plans, and execute multi-channel cultivation strategies to achieve fundraising goals.

Collaboration and Relationship Building

• Ability to work effectively across departments and with diverse internal and external partners, including research teams, major gift officers, schools/programs, and alumni engagement staff.

Analytical Thinking and Results Orientation

• Ability to analyze donor data, engagement metrics, and fundraising outcomes to inform strategy, monitor progress, and drive continuous improvement.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.