Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving

Augsburg University has maintained a strong academic reputation defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies since 1869. A welcoming campus in the heart of Minneapolis, Augsburg offers undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 3,200 diverse students.

Augsburg's mission is to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Augsburg invites individuals who share our mission and commitment to intentional diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to join our community. In particular, Augsburg invites BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, women, veterans and those from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Summary of Position

The Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving leads a comprehensive program for advancing the University's engagement of its alumni as well as current and future Augsburg benefactors. This position leads strategies to identify and engage alumni and friends who will support Augsburg's mission, increases pride and awareness of Augsburg, and grows participation rates and dollars raised for the Augsburg Fund and core mission support. This position also supervises a team and many leadership volunteers, serving as a visible leader who inspires others and connects their work with the overall goals of the institution.

Primary Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual benefactors with an emphasis on alumni and parents.
• Engage and actively manage a portfolio of 50+ donors and prospects for personal solicitations, including members of the alumni board.
• Lead strategies and execute plans to deliver on fundraising goals for the Augsburg Fund and core mission support.
• Act as primary staff liaison for Augsburg's alumni board, organizing and executing board activities, committee work, and alumni events to support institutional priorities that may include networking, fundraising, events, and alumni to student support.
• Develop and execute strategies for engaging Augsburg's diverse alumni base.
• Coordinate with campus partners, including events, athletics, marketing and communications departments, student organizations, and the Strommen Center for Meaningful Work.

Leadership, Management, and Supervision

• Hire, train, and supervise professional staff, support staff in their professional development, and hold the team accountable to annual and quarterly key performance indicators.
• Oversee and manage volunteers.
• Assisting the Vice President of Institutional Advancement in planning and implementing divisional priorities and strategies.
• Develop, manage, and administer the departmental budget.

Strategic Communications

• Lead a comprehensive plan to manage communication strategies for Augsburg's alumni and broader community coordinating with colleagues in institutional advancement, marketing and communications and others.
• Provide executive oversight of integrated advancement communications, setting and directing a comprehensive multi-channel strategy.
• Oversee participation in key communications and marketing initiatives in which alumni, parents, and/or donors are targeted as recipients. This includes Augsburg Now, web, social media, and printed and/or electronic communication and marketing initiatives.
• Work closely with Advancement Services on list building and data management that are essential to accurate and targeted communications.

Alumni Relations

• Oversee the development and implementation of alumni programming including events, volunteer engagement, mentoring and travel opportunities.
• Create and implement strategic engagement strategies with Augsburg's diverse alumni base demonstrating. Design strategic plans for building engagement through volunteerism, event attendance, and financial support both short and long-term prioritization.
• Lead recruitment, recognition, and retention efforts of alumni volunteers, growing this base of support year over year.
• Lead all aspects of Augsburg's Homecoming, reunion celebrations and other event engagement while coordinating all efforts with campus colleagues in the events department, athletics, and other members of the advancement staff.
• Lead all processes pertaining to selection and distribution of alumni awards and honors.
• Serve as a visible leader and connector for groups including Augsburg Women Engaged, the A-Club, and other affinity groups. With the inclusion of supporting and assisting admissions recruitment efforts that connect alumni.

Additional Responsibilities

• Supervise student workers as needed.
• Serving on institutional leadership groups, task forces, and committees as assigned.
• Liaison with facilities and maintenance, parking, external vendors and the like on behalf of the division.
• Other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Five (5) or more years of professional experience developing and executing annual giving strategies, managing a portfolio of donors, and soliciting gifts.
• Professional experience supervising staff and leading a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Demonstrated experience using fundraising databases or customer relationship management systems, with strong preference for experience using Raiser's Edge.
• Experience working in a higher education environment.
• Experience with planning and leading events.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills; ability to interface with external constituents, donors, board members, and volunteers.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Good judgment in making independent decisions.
• Strong project management and planning skills; ability to effectively manage numerous projects and priorities accurately and promptly; ability to multitask, organize workflow and manage multiple projects.
• Strong computer experience, skills, and literacy; proficiency in MS Office, specifically in MS Word and MS Excel; ability to learn software platforms.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced work environment and meet deadlines.
• Possess strong supervisory skills, the ability to lead and teach and manage staff.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse work environment, demonstrate patience and understanding.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues, leaders, external stakeholders and campus partners.
• Demonstrated ability to be attentive to details, accuracy and precision.
• Demonstrate professionalism, patience and sound judgement.
• Demonstrate a polished, professional character.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Hybrid setting.
• Typical work environment is an office. Sedentary work for long periods of time.
• Regular computer keyboard and monitor use.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Travel up to 25% local and 5% non-local.

Application Requirements

To be considered for this position please include the following in your application:

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

Compensation & Benefits at Augsburg

• The compensation range is $78,000 - $85,000, DOQ.

Augsburg University offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards program including:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• A generous 403(b) matching program with an employer contributions of up to 8% upon eligibility
• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses and dependents, and participation in the Tuition Exchange program with colleges and universities throughout the US
• Generous paid time-off, including 14 paid holidays, 12 sick days, 2 community service days, and vacation of up to 22 days per year immediately upon hire
• Employer-paid STD, LTD and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees

Equal Opportunity

Augsburg is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

Augsburg University is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national origin, familial status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or public assistance status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at phone number: 612-330-1058 or email: hr@augsburg.edu.