Director of Annual Giving, Academic Programs

Job Summary

The Director of Annual Giving, Academic Programs is a key member of a high-performing, innovative, and donor-centered team within the WVU Foundation. This role supports the annual giving team in leading strategic initiatives and fostering a strong culture of philanthropy across the university. Reporting to the Executive Director of Annual Giving, the Director works in close collaboration with both the annual giving team and academic units to implement a comprehensive, omni-channel fundraising program that inspires engagement and support from alumni, friends, faculty, and staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Possess strong knowledge of non-profit fundraising principles, with specialized expertise in annual giving best practices and emerging trends.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the university’s structure, priorities, and academic landscape, with focused knowledge of the academic schools and colleges.
• Demonstrated ability to execute a comprehensive, omni-channel fundraising program—including direct mail, email, and text messaging—by leading strategy, overseeing development, and collaborating with writers and graphic designers to produce compelling collateral.
• Represent the WVU Foundation and cultivate strong relationships with internal stakeholders across all academic schools and colleges, including deans, faculty, staff, and philanthropy colleagues. Provide strategic guidance and subject matter expertise on all annual giving initiatives, ensuring alignment with best practices and overall fundraising goals.
• Engage with peers at other institutions to exchange knowledge, explore innovative strategies, and stay informed on emerging trends and best practices in philanthropy.
• Serve as a core team member in the strategic planning and execution of the WVU Day of Giving, contributing to its continued growth and success.
• Collaborate with fellow Annual Giving team members to support and execute various responsibilities and initiatives as needed.

Qualifications

Education, Experience and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree with 3–5 years of professional experience in fundraising or marketing; experience in higher education fundraising is preferred.
• Solid knowledge of annual giving best practices essential for successful fulfillment of the role’s responsibilities.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with a strong work ethic, demonstrating flexibility and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, and goal-driven environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proactive approach to engaging alumni and friends in a personalized and timely manner.

Physical requirements

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use his/her hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, and possibly at times, climb or balance, stoop or kneel. Vision abilities required to perform this job include close vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Other Duties

Work Environment: The position is expected to be hybrid in alignment with the WVUF work/telecommuting policy.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Benefits

Comprehensive health insurance, employer paid dental, vision, group life, and long-term disability insurance, HRA/HSA options with employer contributions, FSA, generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays, 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions, and tuition assistance and dependent scholarship opportunities.

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