As Art Center College of Design prepares for a major campaign to realize its strategic plan, it is forming a team of outstanding development professionals focused on engaging and soliciting prospects in a professional and collaborative environment.  The Assistant Director of Annual Giving will provide leadership in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs whose purpose is to build a long-term base of support for Art Center. The Assistant Director is also responsible for ensuring the annual giving program includes an aggressive and creative direct mail, email and telefunding component in support of the program’s goal to raise unrestricted funds for operations, scholarships and other areas of need within Art Center College of Design.  

The Assistant Director serves as a vital member of a team of advancement professionals in the Office of Development & External Affairs, who span development, alumni relations, board relations, marketing and communications, community relations and advancement services.  Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, the Assistant Director is results-oriented and possesses professional characteristics that include integrity, leadership, commitment to confidentiality, flexibility, team-orientation, attention to detail, strong work ethic, and sensitivity to the stewardship of long-term relationships.

Essential Functions

• Create, implement, report on, and evaluate a comprehensive, multi-year plan to increase strategic solicitation of financial support from alumni, friends, parents, faculty and staff via direct mail, telephone, electronic communications and in-person meetings; develop Annual Fund strategy and messaging in coordination with other Development, Alumni Relations and Marketing & Communication efforts
• Develop and lead a comprehensive annual appeal program, including strategies to incorporate alumni groups, e-campaigns, giving societies, focus on new donors, and increasing average gift amounts—responsible for planning and implementing multiple direct mail appeals annually, with a high degree of customization and emotional appeal; work directly with the Design Office and mail-fulfillment vendors; collaborate with key partners in Development and External Affairs, including the Development Communications Manager, writers and designers, to craft effective messages, incorporate timely themes and ensure strong graphic presentation
• Work closely with the Director of Annual Giving, other staff and volunteers to develop fundraising strategies that are integrated with College-wide and alumni initiatives
• Track, coordinate, and implement monthly and/or seasonal reminders and renewals for membership groups
• Oversee testing of annual giving initiatives, evaluation and implementation of new initiatives
• Serve as an active prospect identifier, targeting prospects for personal visits and moving annual donors through the donor pyramid into the next giving level; make creative connections between and among people, events, programs, and their associated circles; collaborate with Director of Annual Giving to develop a pipeline for leadership annual giving
• Oversee budgets, progress, deadlines, reports, goals and objectives related to program and responsibilities
• Recruit, train and supervise student callers and student workers
• Provide excellent customer service, anticipating and exceeding the needs of internal and external constituents

• Knowledge of fundraising principles and best practices
• A minimum of three years of development experience, including experience in direct mail and telefund fundraising; education and professional experience in marketing a plus
• Aptitude for the management and effective use of information systems in support of an annual giving program
• Excellent organizational, planning, and analytical skills including the ability to analyze trends from quantitative and qualitative data
• Strong interpersonal skills, together with the ability to listen to colleagues and donors, and tact in dealing with potential areas of overlap
• Ability to work with volunteers, including students, alumni, and other College constituencies
• High level of computer literacy and advanced working knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge or a similar constituent database
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills, both written and oral, which transcend diverse audiences
• Demonstrated motivational and problem-solving capabilities with a high degree of integrity, ethics, and dedication to the mission of Art Center
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and promote a positive working environment and spirit of cooperation
• Flexibility and initiative, as well as the ability to work independently, combined with the skills for thriving in a team environment to achieve institutional goals
• Must be able to work in an environment of constant demands and frequent interruptions
• Experience and/or interest in contemporary art, media and design, especially in visual art
• Ability to work evenings and weekends when needed
• Bachelors degree required

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter with their resume and state salary history or salary expectations.

 

Art Center College of Design is committed to excellence through the establishment of a diverse faculty and staff that best represents our student body and its surrounding communities. Information about the College may be found on www.artcenter.edu.

To apply, submit cover letter, resume, and salary history to hr@artcenter.edu