Assistant Vice President Engagement

Assistant Vice President (AVP) of Engagement and Annual Giving is responsible for strategizing, developing, leading, implementing and managing comprehensive alumni, parent, volunteer and donor engagement strategy and annual giving efforts for Knox College. Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, this position manages a team of two directors and a total of ten full-time employees to engage alumni and other constituents, promote the reputation of Knox College, and increase philanthropy for Knox.

Key Responsibilities:

• Increase Knox Fund/Annual Giving support from $5 Million to $8 Million by 2027

• Manage a portfolio of 50 donors and key volunteers

• Recruit 25-50 alumni and parent volunteers annually

• Lead the development of an engagement index with a focus on sustained growth

• Develop shared metrics for the annual giving and engagement team

• Support the achievement of the Campaign alumni engagement goal of 50%
  
  

Engagement Leadership and Strategy (40%)

• Create and implement programs and policies that build and maintain a connection between the College and its alumni, parent and greater constituencies.

• Oversee, analyze and assess engagement metrics/results, adjust strategies, produce regular progress reports that maximize efforts, and create a foundation for stronger future engagement to inform decisions.

• Strategic oversight and execution of all aspects of annual engagement, volunteer and donor recognition events including Homecoming, Family & Friends and Knox Proud Day, including working with alumni leaders and administrators to conceptualize and create celebration moments, core programming, and class-specific activities.

• Create and manage impactful programming for in-person and virtual activities that engage and steward donors and the broader alumni and parent communities.

• Work closely with the Advancement team, ensuring efficient planning and execution of event logistics both on and off site.

• Collaborate with the Communications team on marketing engagement and event collateral, and various other partners on campus for collaborative opportunities to engage alumni and parents with the College.

• Partner with and involve deans, directors, faculty, and students, both locally and across the globe as part of outreach efforts.

• Implement new or enhance engagement opportunities to reach different constituents, including education affinities, industry or interest-based affinities, etc. - including collaborating with the Bastian Center for Career Success, Vovis Center for Research and Kleine Center for Community Service.

• Annually benchmark and survey the engagement outreach efforts – evolve and adjust programs when needed.

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Annual Giving Strategy, Marketing and Stewardship (40%)

• Work closely with Advancement leadership to source and engage alumni, parents and friends in fundraising opportunities and create a culture of philanthropy.

• Regularly oversee, analyze and assess key performance indicators for annual giving, strategy development and execution. Anticipate, adjust and leverage data to drive and maximize efforts, and to inform decisions.

• Responsible for strategies, implementation, and stewardship for:

  • Growing the annual giving program, which raises more than $5M annually in gifts via direct marketing and communications.

  • The strategic direction of the reunion giving programs, parent giving program and development of sustainable prospect and volunteer pipelines for alumni and parents.

  • Annual Giving marketing and communications for all giving societies, reunions, Knox Proud Day, volunteer appreciation, and other alumni/parent activities.

  • Responsible for the development of strategies and collaboration with the Advancement and Communication teams to formulate and execute print and digital engagement for annual giving programs.

• Manage annual giving and event budget, including reviewing vendor contracts.

• Develop and leverage partnerships with College stakeholders and professionals at peer institutions to enhance engagement and fundraising strategies.

• Represent Advancement at key partnership meetings; communicate information and best practices to and from advancement; ensure integration and coordination of giving and volunteer opportunities and data with advancement; serve as a resource for advancement staff and College leadership, including vice president for student development and vice president for enrollment and other administrators.

• Create and manage overall fiscal year and mid year planning for annual giving and engagement programs to include goal setting and fundraising forecasting.

• Seek out best practices in engagement and annual giving to implement at Knox.

Management (20%)

• Oversee director of college engagement and director of annual giving and management of overall collaboration, programs and budgets to leverage opportunities and effectiveness.

• Manage a portfolio of leadership annual fund donors and volunteers. Cultivate, solicit, and steward 30-50 leadership volunteers and/or annual fund donors ($1,837+ donors) annually. Assist in identifying prospects for planned and major gifts. Visit 60 donors annually.

• Collaborate across campus in building opportunities to develop sustainable volunteer and prospect pipelines with the goal of securing new and meaningful opportunities for alumni and parents to engage with the institution annually.

• Serve as a strategic partner with Advancement and College leadership on identifying opportunities to strengthen opportunities for engagement, communication, stewardship of philanthropy at Knox.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven track record of success in implementing multiple facets of alumni and/or parent engagement programs, event strategies, volunteer management, and annual giving.

• Experience and passion for building relationships and programs.

• Invested in mentorship, management and commitment to professional staff development.

• Excellent communicator, both oral and written.

• Ability to think strategically about objectives and operationally in execution.

• Attention to detail, forward thinking, and problem-solving skills are a must.

• Experience executing events from private meetings to large-scale multi-day events as part of an engagement and/or stewardship strategy.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage and prioritize multiple complex projects.

• Ability to lead and work with internal teams, administrators, volunteers, and donors to advance engagement and fundraising goals.

• High level of integrity, sound judgment and commitment to ethical engagement and fundraising practices.

• Discretion with highly confidential information.

• Understanding and comfort with technology and an interest in learning and embracing new technologies to enhance programs.

• Aptitude for policies, procedures and strong follow-up skills.

• Willingness and ability to attend events outside of business hours required

• Travel required

• An appreciation for higher education and advancement work

Minimum Education Required:

Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree or higher preferred.

Minimum Experience Required:

7+ years of related experience, preferably in higher education or advancement, particularly in the areas of alumni relations, special events, volunteer management, and annual giving.

Minimum Licenses/Certifications Required:

N/A

Additional Qualifications: (Preferred qualifications)

• Experience in higher education advancement

• Experience growing a $4M+ Annual Fund

• Experience with RENXT and/or other Advancement technologies