Seminary of the Southwest
Austin, TX
Position: Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations
Division: Institutional Advancement
Reports to: Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Job Summary: This position is responsible for organizing and managing all aspects of the Southwest Annual Fund, the top fundraising priorities at Seminary of the Southwest, which provides critical operating support to all areas of the institution. The Director will coordinate and conduct both personal and direct marketing solicitations of alumni, friends of the seminary, and congregations to ensure the continued growth of the Southwest Annual Fund in both dollars and donors.
The Director will also develop and manage a comprehensive alumni relations program. The Director should increase alumni giving participation and support through strong communication, personal interaction and events in order to maintain and strengthen positive relationships with students and alumni to encourage their continued long-term interaction with the seminary community.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement effective annual giving programs to increase both dollars and donors.
- Implement fund raising best practices.
- Regularly solicit alumni, friends and congregations for gifts to the Southwest Annual Fund via a robust solicitation calendar with methods including but not limited to phonathons, direct mail, electronic methods and personal solicitation.
- Track and report on the effectiveness of all solicitations by donor type.
- Oversee production of annual giving reports; provide analysis of giving trends.
- Work with the board of trustees and alumni steering committee to secure their personal annual gifts.
- Work with the board of trustees and alumni steering committee to secure new annual fund donors to the seminary from each board member’s unique spheres of influence.
- Budget for yearly annual giving and alumni relations activities.
- Work with principle rectors on strategies for acquiring new donors for Southwest.
- Design and implement productive volunteer opportunities for alumni through the Alumni Steering Committee.
- Facilitate on-campus activities, such as the annual Blandy Lecture and Alumni Convocation, to bring alumni and interested individuals from the Central Texas region to campus for fellowship, personal enrichment, and continuing education.
- Work with campus community to build communication and benefits offered to alumni.
- Recruit and train alumni leaders and volunteers.
- Meet with student groups to introduce them to alumni activities and encourage their participation in alumni events.
Qualifications & Special Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Must be able to work as part of a team and manage multiple tasks, details, and support staff
- Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills.
- 3-5 years experience in annual giving, membership, or alumni relations in a higher education environment or other equivalent non-profit environment.
- Demonstrated track record of fund raising success.
- Ability to represent Institutional Advancement professionally.
- Must be capable of working with sensitive information with complete confidentiality.
- Must be flexible with work schedule and available to work weekends and evenings, as necessary.
- Strong organizational skills; ability to multi-task and set priorities.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
- Ability to respond with sensitivity and awareness to those with diverse cultural, ethnic, social backgrounds, values, attitudes and languages.
- Computer literate with a solid knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, and knowledge and experience with donor management software; Raiser’s Edge experience highly preferred.
- Social media knowledge, experience, and understanding is highly desirable.
- Knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the Episcopal Church is valued.
Benefits/Compensation
A competitive compensation package will be offered for this position based upon the successful candidate’s education, skills, experience, and potential for contribution toward the success of the Seminary of the Southwest. The position offers attractive benefits/vacation package and excellent working environment.
We fully respect the need for confidentiality of information supplied by interested parties and assure them that their backgrounds and interests will not be discussed with anyone, including the leadership of the Seminary of the Southwest, without prior consent, nor will reference contacts be made until mutual interest has been established.
To apply for this position, please email a cover letter, résumé, and a list of three references to:
Betty Hewell
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Seminary of the Southwest
501 East 32nd Street, Austin Texas 78705
Job Type: Full-time
Required education:
- Bachelor’s
Required experience:
- annual giving: 3 years
