POSITION OBJECTIVE

The executive director of annual giving has primary responsibility to provide the strategic leadership of a university-wide comprehensive, multi-channel annual and special giving program, representing Case Western Reserve University's highest strategic priorities that impact CWRU¿s future and national reputation, to increase philanthropic support for the university. This position is responsible for the development of overall plans and programs promoting the strategic engagement of Case Western Reserve University's 113,000 living alumni to maximize annual philanthropic support for the university. The executive director will prioritize team building and positioning for the unprecedented expansion of the university-wide annual and special giving program fundraising goal to secure $20 million annually in current-use operating dollars to achieve sustainable increases in philanthropic gifts available to support the university's and school/college dean's highest priorities and initiatives.

The executive director manages an annual and special giving team that are responsible for visioning, creating and implementing the university's annual giving programs and that must collaborate and coordinate efforts across the senior management and development operations of CWRU in order to achieve desired fundraising outcomes. The incumbent raises leadership annual and special gifts ($25,000 to $100,000) as part of the university's annual and special giving program. 

The executive director will rely on past experiences in development and fundraising but continue to stay consistent and up to date with emerging trends in philanthropy. It is essential that the executive director lead by example and foster an environment of teamwork and collaboration as well as accountability. As an experienced professional, the executive director is expected to engage in direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors, and collaborate with University Relations and Development in developing strategies for the university's fundraising programs.

The executive director will serve as a strategic advisor to the school/ college's annual and special giving teams, overseeing all school-based annual and special giving efforts. This position will serve as a member of the senior development staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Manage a portfolio of special giving prospects with giving potential in the range of $25,000 to $100,000 to achieve annual goals for personal visits and giving outcomes. Develop and implement strategic cultivation, solicitation and/or engagement strategies for each prospect to maximize special gifts to the university. (30%)

Lead and implement university-wide, multi-channel annual and special giving strategy and activities to expand and secure $20 million, annually, in preparation for the next comprehensive campaign and with the goal of increasing current-use operating dollars to achieve sustainable increases in philanthropic gifts available to support the university's and school/college dean's highest priorities and initiatives. Maximize lifetime engagement and philanthropic support of CWRU¿s alumni and other stakeholders in coordination with development, annual giving, alumni relations, communications and donor relations colleagues across the university. Supervise a team of four annual and special giving professionals and additional annual and special giving staff in the schools and college. (25%)

Develop and implement engagement and fundraising strategies using face-to-face and digital methods that increase the flow of donors through the development cycle from qualification to stewardship, taking primary responsibility for continually increasing the university's pipeline of major gift ($100K+) donors who are ready to make a major gift with the goal of increasing current-use revenue and developing six and seven figure prospects for the next