Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving Conveniently located in Morris County with easy access to Routes 287, 280, 80, 10, 24, and the Convent Station train station, Saint Elizabeth University which was established in 1899 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth resides on 150 acres of picturesque rolling hills and lush woodlands. The University offers a quality education in the Catholic liberal arts tradition for students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and cultures. Diversity and Inclusion Statement:Founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1899, Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) is a community of learning in the Catholic liberal arts tradition for students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and cultures. SEU is devoted to providing educational and career training opportunities to traditionally underserved communities and is characterized by small class sizes and a highly communal student-centered culture emphasizing individualized attention.SEU is a federally designated Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution. Our traditional undergraduate population is 38 percent Black and our total enrollment is 30 percent Hispanic, while 47 percent of our students are first-generation college students. In addition, 76 percent of our first-time freshmen are low-income students eligible for federal Pell funding; many come to us with unique challenges related to their financial, social, academic, mental and physical health.Saint Elizabeth University seeks to foster and maintain a diverse campus community through inclusive excellence and equal opportunity. SEU has long preserved its legacy of providing quality education and access for underserved populations, particularly in fields and career paths traditionally beyond the reach of marginalized and often disenfranchised communities. In our traditional co-educational undergraduate enrollment today, women outnumber men two-to-one. SEU has a long legacy of educating women who thrive in STEM and healthcare professions and continues to produce diverse women and men as leaders equipped with a deeper appreciation of inclusion in its various forms. We strive to ensure that all graduates realize their potential through hard work and an exceptional education that is unimpeded by irrational self-doubt or societal biases.The Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at Saint Elizabeth University (SEU) will be responsible for developing and leading comprehensive alumni engagement and annual giving programs. This position will drive volunteer, professional, and financial support for the University by fostering a lifelong connection between SEU alumnae/i and the university. The Director will cultivate relationships with alumni, manage alumni programming, increase alumni participation in annual giving, and collaborate with University leadership to meet philanthropic goals.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesAnnual Giving:
- Develop and execute a strategic, data-driven plan to increase alumni participation and giving across all annual giving campaigns (e.g., phone-a-thon, direct mail, online giving).
- Set annual giving goals, monitor progress, and regularly report on performance.
- Oversee and enhance donor engagement and stewardship strategies to ensure continued and increased support from alumni.
- Manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving donors, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts.
- Collaborate with the marketing and communications teams to create compelling fundraising materials and digital campaigns.
- Coordinate matching gift programs, giving societies, and reunion giving efforts.
- Partner with the Office of Advancement Services to ensure accurate and timely gift processing, acknowledgments, and donor recognition.
Alumni Engagement:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement plan that includes events, communications, volunteer opportunities, and affinity groups to strengthen the connection between alumnae/i and SEU.
- Plan and execute alumni events, including class reunions, regional alumni gatherings, homecoming, and professional networking opportunities.
- Serve as the primary liaison between the Alumnae/i Association and the University, working to promote alumni involvement and volunteer leadership.
- Collaborate with academic departments, student affairs, and other campus partners to identify opportunities for alumni to mentor students and engage with faculty.
- Oversee alumni communications, including newsletters, social media, and alumni stories, to maintain a strong connection between alumni and the institution.
- Create strategies to engage alumni in supporting key University initiatives, including fundraising campaigns, enrollment efforts, and career services.
Leadership & Collaboration:
- Collaborate with leadership to create and implement strategies that align alumni engagement and annual giving with the University's broader strategic goals.
- Supervise and mentor staff, interns, or volunteers within the Alumni Engagement and Giving team.
- Analyze and utilize data and metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of alumni engagement and annual giving initiatives and adjust strategies accordingly.
- Maintain relationships with key external partners, such as vendors, consultants, and volunteers, to advance alumni engagement and fundraising goals.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required.
- 5+ years of experience in alumni relations, annual giving, or advancement.
- Strong knowledge of fundraising principles, strategies, and techniques, particularly in annual giving campaigns.
- Experience in planning and executing alumni events and engagement initiatives.
- Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency in donor databases (Raiser's Edge or similar), CRM systems, and fundraising software.
- Ability to travel and work some evenings and weekends as required.
- Positive, team-oriented mindset.
- Strong organizational and leadership skills with a collaborative and strategic approach.
- High level of initiative and creativity in developing new alumni engagement and fundraising programs.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data to inform strategy.
Why Choose Saint Elizabeth University?Saint Elizabeth University offers a positive work environment, dedicated leadership, faculty and staff who are committed to excellence, and an attractive benefits and compensation package. Full-time Faculty and Staff Benefits Include:
- Employer-Subsidized Health Care Plan
- Dental and Vision Plan
- Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
- 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Match
- Group Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance at No Cost
- Supplemental Insurance Available for Employee, Spouse and Dependents
- Other Voluntary Plans (Legal, Identify-Theft, Accident, Critical Care, etc.)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Remission for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents
- Tuition Exchange Program offering Reciprocal Scholarships Nationwide at 600+ Colleges and Universities
- 14 Paid Holidays, as well as the Week after Christmas Off with Pay
- Paid Days Off on Fridays in the Summer Months
- Birthday as a Paid Day Off
- Generous Vacation Policy
- New Jersey Earned Sick Leave
- Employee Discount Program
Important to Know:The health and safety of students, faculty and staff are a University priority. Please be advised that the University reserves the right to modify all policies and procedures related to COVID-19 based upon local conditions and emerging guidance from local, state and federal agencies.How to Apply
- Applications should consist of a cover letter, resume, proof of certifications and three professional references with email addresses and/or telephone numbers.
- Saint Elizabeth University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.
- Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
- Saint Elizabeth University is a designated minority serving undergraduate institution.
EEO/AA Statement:Saint Elizabeth University aspires to create a community based on the collaboration, innovation, creativity and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas - an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspective, backgrounds and experiences flourish. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all individuals feel and experience an environment where they are welcome, safe, secure, and heard. As such All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other classification protected by Federal, state, or local law. Any information provided will be used only in the compliance of data for EEO/Affirmative Action reporting. Completion of this data is voluntary and will not affect your opportunity for employment and/or terms or conditions of employment.