Director of Direct Marketing and Participation

Position Summary
The role of Engagement and Annual Giving Programs (EAGP) is to build a strong and lasting connection between the university and its community, nurturing a sense of pride, belonging, and active involvement. We strive to establish a pathway that enables alumni, parents, students, and friends to develop a lifelong philanthropic relationship with WashU, contributing to its growth, sustainability, and continued excellence.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Operations and Marketing, the Director of Direct Marketing and Participation is a forward-thinking, highly innovative partner who leads a team of professionals to develop and execute sophisticated multi-channel, university-wide, direct marketing fundraising strategies. This role creates, oversees, and drives the strategy to increase and diversify the number of donors and philanthropic dollars to WashU, with an emphasis on support of the annual fund. Additionally, this person will manage a team of individuals focused on the WashU Engagement Center’s efforts to strategize and implement initiatives utilizing our student advancement ambassadors to increase involvement, pride, and loyalty between the university and its community.

The ideal candidate is a data-driven, strategic thinker with a passion for leveraging modern fundraising and annual giving marketing practices in support of higher education. This person is a collaborative team player and will have experience in direct marketing, emerging fundraising technologies, and staff management.

Job Description
Primary Duties & 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.
• 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 professional staff 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 EAGP team.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Certifications: No specific certification is required for this position.
• Work Experience: Relevant Experience (5 Years)
• Skills: Not Applicable
• Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job
Preferred Qualifications

• Preference for experience within a complex university setting or national nonprofit organization.
• Experience working with high-level volunteer leadership.
• Annual giving experience at an institution of higher education or non-profit organization.
• Experience creating and implementing complex, multi-channel fundraising marketing campaigns.
• Knowledge of VanillaSoft.
• Knowledge of ClickUp or other project management software.
• Experience, sensitivity, and diplomacy; understanding of the high-level relationship-building and strategies involved in securing complex gifts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: No additional education beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
• Certifications: No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
• Work Experience: No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
• Skills: Accountability, Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Business Creativity, Communication, Confidentiality, Data Management, Deadline Management, Ethical Behavior, Interpersonal Relationships, Leadership, Marketing, Marketing Campaigns, Oral Communications, People Management, Prioritization, Proactive Approach, Professional Integrity, Relationship Building, Salesforce (Software), Sound Judgment, Volunteer Management, Working Independently, Written Communication

Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
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. For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
University Advancement is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming environment fostering a culture of inclusion excellence where all staff are respected, valued, and provided opportunities to flourish. We encourage individuals who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of our team to apply. You do not need to meet 100% of the preferred qualifications to apply for these positions.