Senior Director of Direct Marketing and Participation - University Advancement

Responsibilities

• Develop a strategic plan to segment and solicit alumni, parents, and friends to increase donors to the Annual Fund and the university. This includes strategic analysis of past performance of appeals and solicitation methods, acquisition rates, retention rates, and industry trends. Closely monitor return on investment and make data-based decisions to guide future fundraising strategies. Report on overall results to internal and external constituencies, as needed.
• Develop key strategies for retention, acquisition, and stewardship of donors to the Annual Fund based on affiliation, class year, and interest. Serve as the final approver on all direct marketing materials and confirm that recommended messages and graphics align with the strategies for each appeal. Verify that all WashU audiences are appropriately included in the direct marketing schedule.
• Collaborate closely with key departments in University Advancement including by not limited to Advancement Communications, Analytics, Data and Reporting, Advancement Systems, and Donor Relations, on fundraising projects and campaigns including but not limited to WashU Giving Day, Loyalty Society, Engagement Center, License Plate Program, Matching Gift Program and emerging technologies.
• Work closely with other colleagues in University Advancement to align program goals with the overall philanthropic goals of the university.
• Oversee the technology used to support direct marketing efforts for all university constituents including engagement center system/vendor, and the data analytics system/vendor. Assist with the development of websites, including online gift forms.
• Manage data as it relates to direct marketing, including responsibility for data hygiene, segmentation, and other issues related to ensuring accurate and useful data for direct marketing including editing and proofreading publication content.
• Manage a team of six responsible for the WashU Giving Day, Loyalty Society, Engagement Center, premium fulfillment, License Plate Program, and Matching Gift Program.
• Stay up to date on the latest fundraising trends, technologies, and strategies and implement them as appropriate.
• Additional duties as assigned and in support of the Annual Giving Programs (AGP) team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Relevant Experience (6 Years)
• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred

• Ability and flexibility to work outside of the normal workday/office hours including evenings and weekends.
• Experience within a complex university setting or national nonprofit organization.
• Annual giving experience at an institution of higher education.
• Experience working with high-level volunteer leadership.
• Experience creating and implementing complex, multi-channel fundraising marketing campaigns.
• Knowledge of VanillaSoft.
• Knowledge of ClickUp.
• Understanding of the high-level relationship-building and strategies involved in securing complex gifts.
• Ability to set priorities and successfully manage multiple projects and competing deadlines.

Benefits

• Personal
• - Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• - Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• - Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• - WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness
• - Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• Family
• - We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• - WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.