Assistant Director for Annual Giving - 202876
Assistant Director for Annual Giving - 202876
Western Carolina University
Department: Office, VC, Advancement
About WCU:
Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.
Position Summary:
The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. This position is designated as being exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).
The Assistant Director for Annual Giving is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating annual solicitation activities and strategic engagement initiatives for GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) alumni and the WCU student body, working in concert with other programs within the Division of Advancement.
This position serves as the primary driver of efforts to increase GOLD alumni engagement, donor participation, and multi-year giving retention, while simultaneously cultivating a strong philanthropic pipeline from current students into the alumni community.
In this role, the Assistant Director provides direct assistance in marketing and communicating philanthropic opportunities to GOLD alumni and students, executing programs devoted to annual solicitation and stewardship through personal outreach via phone calls, emails, virtual meetings, and in-person engagement.
The position requires developing and maintaining a current knowledge of best practices in young alumni and annual giving programs, leveraging data and analytics - including Raisers Edge - to design targeted solicitation strategies for GOLD alumni and the senior class.
The Assistant Director also identifies, recruits, and supports volunteers who take ownership of GOLD and student giving goals, and works collaboratively with advancement colleagues and campus partners to integrate GOLD alumni engagement into broader fundraising priorities. Evening and weekend travel may be required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The Assistant Director for Annual Giving is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating annual solicitation activities and strategic engagement initiatives for GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) alumni and the WCU student body, working in concert with other programs within the Division of Advancement.
This position serves as the primary driver of efforts to increase GOLD alumni engagement, donor participation, and multi-year giving retention, while simultaneously cultivating a strong philanthropic pipeline from current students into the alumni community.
In this role, the Assistant Director provides direct assistance in marketing and communicating philanthropic opportunities to GOLD alumni and students, executing programs devoted to annual solicitation and stewardship through personal outreach via phone calls, emails, virtual meetings, and in-person engagement.
The position requires developing and maintaining a current knowledge of best practices in young alumni and annual giving programs, leveraging data and analytics - including Raisers Edge - to design targeted solicitation strategies for GOLD alumni and the senior class.
The Assistant Director also identifies, recruits, and supports volunteers who take ownership of GOLD and student giving goals, and works collaboratively with advancement colleagues and campus partners to integrate GOLD alumni engagement into broader fundraising priorities. Evening and weekend travel may be required.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of best practices in annual giving, young alumni engagement, and donor stewardship, including familiarity with fundraising database systems such as Raisers Edge.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic marketing and solicitation programs, with skill in leveraging data and analytics to inform outreach and measure results.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse constituencies including alumni, students, volunteers, and campus partners.
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams and manage multiple priorities effectively, with a willingness to work evenings and weekends as program needs require.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
Minimum Qualifications:
- Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any other immigration-related assistance.
- A bachelors degree from an accredited institution is required for this position.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least one year of professional experience in a non-profit or higher education setting is strongly preferred, with particular consideration given to candidates who have worked in advancement, development, or annual giving programs.
- Experience engaging, coordinating, and supporting student groups and volunteers is preferred, as the Assistant Director will regularly work with both populations to advance departmental goals.
- Candidates who demonstrate a record of relationship-building, program coordination, and comfort working in a data-informed environment will be most competitive for this role.
Position Type: Permanent Full-Time
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact Stacey Miller at srmiller@email.wcu.edu
AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/33286
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