<p>Overview:</p> <p>Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Assistant Director / Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Communications plays a pivotal leadership role in developing and executing comprehensive strategies to maximize annual philanthropic support for Gardner-Webb University. This position provides strategic direction for annual giving and advancement communications, engaging and stewarding donors, cultivating new relationships, and increasing philanthropic revenue. The role includes leadership in planned giving communications and stewardship, lead generation, digital engagement, and social media management.</p> <p>Key Responsibilities:</p> <p>Develop and Implement Annual Giving Strategy:</p> <ul> <li>Collaborate with senior leadership to establish annual giving goals, objectives, and strategies aligned with institutional mission and fundraising priorities. </li><li>Lead, design, and execute multi-channel annual giving campaigns, including direct mail, email, online giving, crowdfunding, and telephone outreach. </li><li>Coordinate cross-functional efforts with development, marketing, communications, and other departments to ensure cohesive messaging and integrated fundraising efforts. </li><li>Hire, train, and supervise student workers and/or support staff as appropriate. </li></ul> <p>Advancement Communications and Lead Generation:</p> <ul> <li>Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies supporting annual and planned giving initiatives. </li><li>Create content for digital and print channels including websites, newsletters, email campaigns, and social media. </li><li>Oversee social media management for advancement, increasing engagement across diverse donor audiences. </li><li>Collaborate with marketing to design donor recognition, stewardship, and solicitation materials. </li><li>Lead awareness and lead generation campaigns for planned giving through storytelling and targeted messaging. </li><li>Integrate planned giving opportunities into communications to create a prospect pipeline for major and planned gift officers. </li></ul> <p>Donor Cultivation and Stewardship:</p> <ul> <li>Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward annual donors to increase retention and engagement. </li><li>Develop personalized stewardship plans and oversee donor recognition programs, including the Devoted Dawgs Loyalty Society and the 1905 Legacy Society. </li><li>Plan and execute stewardship initiatives for planned giving donors and prospects. </li></ul> <p>Data Analysis and Performance Evaluation:</p> <ul> <li>Utilize data analytics to monitor and evaluate campaign effectiveness. </li><li>Identify trends and opportunities to optimize fundraising performance. </li><li>Ensure accuracy and integrity of donor records in the CRM system. </li></ul> <p>Budgeting and Resource Allocation:</p> <ul> <li>Develop and manage the annual giving budget to maximize ROI. </li><li>Monitor expenses, revenue projections, and performance metrics. </li><li>Oversee and maintain online giving pages and forms. </li><li>Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team culture. </li><li>Perform other duties as assigned. </li></ul> <p>Qualifications:</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or fundraising certification preferred. </li><li>Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in nonprofit fundraising or advancement. </li><li>Demonstrated success in annual giving strategy and donor engagement. </li><li>Strong leadership, communication, and managerial skills. </li><li>Proficiency in CRM systems, donor databases, and fundraising technologies. </li><li>Knowledge of best practices in philanthropy, annual giving, and nonprofit management. </li></ul> <p>Gardner-Webb University is a Christian university committed to helping individuals become more in faith, learning, and service. Located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, GWU offers the benefits of a close-knit community with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and the greater Greenville-Spartanburg region.</p> <p>Founded in 1905 and rooted in the Baptist tradition, the University now serves approximately 3,000 students across more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs. As a Carnegie Doctoral/Professional institution, Gardner-Webb is dedicated to academic excellence, leadership development, and meaningful service to others.</p> <p>Our community reflects a shared commitment to One Webb, creating an environment where people support one another, pursue their purpose, and work together to make a lasting impact. GWU attracts students from across the nation and around the world and competes in NCAA Division I athletics with 22 teams and more than 500 student-athletes.</p>