Director of Annual Giving (Annual Giving Officer)
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
ARTS & SCIENCES; DEAN (BL-ARSD-IUBLA)
The College of Arts and Sciences Office of Advancement handles development, stewardship, and alumni relations. Contact us today to find out how you can become more involved with the College.
The Director of Annual Giving leads the College of Arts and Sciences in comprehensive annual giving strategy with a clear mandate to grow revenue, increase first‑time donor acquisition, improve donor retention, and expand overall donor participation across the College and its academic departments and programs. This position combines strategic leadership, data‑driven insight, and cross‑campus collaboration to design and execute a best‑in‑class annual giving program that advances the College's mission and long‑term fundraising pipeline. The Director serves as a key architect of the College's philanthropic culture, developing personalized, impactful campaigns that inspire alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends to invest in the College's success.
Department‑Specific Responsibilities
Leads Annual Giving Program and Strategy.
Develops and implements a multi‑channel annual giving plan aligned with College and Indiana University (IU) Foundation priorities, focused on revenue growth, donor acquisition, retention, and participation.
Establishes clear performance goals and metrics, and uses data analytics to drive decision‑making, measure outcomes, and refine strategies.
Leads continuous testing and innovation of appeals, giving pages, and engagement tactics.
Evaluates Return On Investment (ROI) by channel and audience segment.
Identifies opportunities for recurring giving, leadership annual gifts, and challenge campaigns to deepen donor commitment.
Oversees the annual giving budget, ensuring optimal resource allocation toward strategies that yield measurable impact.
Leverages Data to Optimize Donor Engagement.
Partners with IU Foundation data teams to analyze donor behavior, giving trends, and audience segmentation.
Uses predictive modeling, dashboards, and campaign analytics to guide strategic priorities and identify high‑potential donor segments.
Reports on campaign performance, progress toward goals, and actionable insights for leadership and department partners.
Leverages data to improve year‑over‑year participation and revenue, including reactivation of lapsed donors and conversion of first‑time donors into repeat supporters.
Integrates Advancement Efforts to Amplify Impact.
Works closely with alumni engagement, marketing and communications, and academic units to create integrated campaigns that combine storytelling, impact, and clear calls to action.
Coordinates with advancement colleagues on stewardship and impact messaging to strengthen long‑term donor relationships.
Partners with Departments to Strengthen Fundraising.
Serves as the primary liaison to departments and programs on annual giving strategies.
Provides consultation and training on developing and executing crowd‑funding campaigns, online giving initiatives, and digital fundraising strategies.
General Responsibilities
Plans and participates in a variety of solicitation efforts for outright annual fund gifts from alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and other constituents and supporters of the university via direct mail, email, phone, in person, and/or social media.
Cultivates donor relationships through regular communications and outreach events; updates, maintains, and forwards prospective and current donor files and information to other development officers as necessary.
Sets annual funds targets, contacts, and timelines by campaign for self; may participate in goal‑setting for lower‑level development staff, as well.
Creates and distributes compelling print and digital fundraising materials for each campaign; tracks cost, funds received, and metrics such as return on investment for solicitation and pledge to donation yield.
Researches, compiles, and provides metrics, facts, and general operations information about IU and its schools and departments to donors.
Provides an excellent donor experience through customer service, active listening, inclusive language, and thoughtful and persuasive discussion, consistently upholding the integrity and mission of Indiana University.
Regularly takes on complex special projects, such as re‑engaging lapsed donors, creating new annual fund campaigns, or developing and executing targeted events for potential donors.
May participate in committees or strategy teams with department, school, campus, and/or Indiana University Foundation representatives and assist with setting short‑ and long‑term annual giving strategy.
May delegate administrative tasks, such as preparing and sending digital and direct mail solicitations, to other staff.
Education
Required:
Bachelor's degree in related field
Work Experience
5 years in fundraising, sales, a higher education foundation, or related field
Preferred Experience
Project management experience coordinating initiatives involving multiple collaborators, including vendors, internal stakeholders, and organizational leadership
Demonstrated experience with annual giving reporting tools
Skills
Proficient communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
Highly thorough and dependable
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
Possesses a high degree of initiative
Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Bloomington, Indiana
$72,000–$80,000 Annually
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU‑sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Career Level: Advanced
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Development & Advancement
Job Family: Annual Giving
Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non‑Discrimination here which includes contact information.
Request Support Telephone: 812-856-1234
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The College of Arts and Sciences Office of Advancement handles development, stewardship, and alumni relations. Contact us today to find out how you can become more involved with the College.
The Director of Annual Giving leads the College of Arts and Sciences in comprehensive annual giving strategy with a clear mandate to grow revenue, increase first‑time donor acquisition, improve donor retention, and expand overall donor participation across the College and its academic departments and programs. This position combines strategic leadership, data‑driven insight, and cross‑campus collaboration to design and execute a best‑in‑class annual giving program that advances the College's mission and long‑term fundraising pipeline. The Director serves as a key architect of the College's philanthropic culture, developing personalized, impactful campaigns that inspire alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends to invest in the College's success.
Department‑Specific Responsibilities
Leads Annual Giving Program and Strategy.
Develops and implements a multi‑channel annual giving plan aligned with College and Indiana University (IU) Foundation priorities, focused on revenue growth, donor acquisition, retention, and participation.
Establishes clear performance goals and metrics, and uses data analytics to drive decision‑making, measure outcomes, and refine strategies.
Leads continuous testing and innovation of appeals, giving pages, and engagement tactics.
Evaluates Return On Investment (ROI) by channel and audience segment.
Identifies opportunities for recurring giving, leadership annual gifts, and challenge campaigns to deepen donor commitment.
Oversees the annual giving budget, ensuring optimal resource allocation toward strategies that yield measurable impact.
Leverages Data to Optimize Donor Engagement.
Partners with IU Foundation data teams to analyze donor behavior, giving trends, and audience segmentation.
Uses predictive modeling, dashboards, and campaign analytics to guide strategic priorities and identify high‑potential donor segments.
Reports on campaign performance, progress toward goals, and actionable insights for leadership and department partners.
Leverages data to improve year‑over‑year participation and revenue, including reactivation of lapsed donors and conversion of first‑time donors into repeat supporters.
Integrates Advancement Efforts to Amplify Impact.
Works closely with alumni engagement, marketing and communications, and academic units to create integrated campaigns that combine storytelling, impact, and clear calls to action.
Coordinates with advancement colleagues on stewardship and impact messaging to strengthen long‑term donor relationships.
Partners with Departments to Strengthen Fundraising.
Serves as the primary liaison to departments and programs on annual giving strategies.
Provides consultation and training on developing and executing crowd‑funding campaigns, online giving initiatives, and digital fundraising strategies.
General Responsibilities
Plans and participates in a variety of solicitation efforts for outright annual fund gifts from alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and other constituents and supporters of the university via direct mail, email, phone, in person, and/or social media.
Cultivates donor relationships through regular communications and outreach events; updates, maintains, and forwards prospective and current donor files and information to other development officers as necessary.
Sets annual funds targets, contacts, and timelines by campaign for self; may participate in goal‑setting for lower‑level development staff, as well.
Creates and distributes compelling print and digital fundraising materials for each campaign; tracks cost, funds received, and metrics such as return on investment for solicitation and pledge to donation yield.
Researches, compiles, and provides metrics, facts, and general operations information about IU and its schools and departments to donors.
Provides an excellent donor experience through customer service, active listening, inclusive language, and thoughtful and persuasive discussion, consistently upholding the integrity and mission of Indiana University.
Regularly takes on complex special projects, such as re‑engaging lapsed donors, creating new annual fund campaigns, or developing and executing targeted events for potential donors.
May participate in committees or strategy teams with department, school, campus, and/or Indiana University Foundation representatives and assist with setting short‑ and long‑term annual giving strategy.
May delegate administrative tasks, such as preparing and sending digital and direct mail solicitations, to other staff.
Education
Required:
Bachelor's degree in related field
Work Experience
5 years in fundraising, sales, a higher education foundation, or related field
Preferred Experience
Project management experience coordinating initiatives involving multiple collaborators, including vendors, internal stakeholders, and organizational leadership
Demonstrated experience with annual giving reporting tools
Skills
Proficient communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
Highly thorough and dependable
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
Possesses a high degree of initiative
Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Bloomington, Indiana
$72,000–$80,000 Annually
Benefits
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long‑term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU‑sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Career Level: Advanced
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Development & Advancement
Job Family: Annual Giving
Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non‑Discrimination here which includes contact information.
Request Support Telephone: 812-856-1234
#J-18808-Ljbffr