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Job description
The Assistant Director of Annual & Leadership Giving (Campaign Operations & High-Value Networks) is a foundational, fast-paced role designed to build the strategic frameworks, volunteer toolkits, and messaging necessary to scale Lafayette’s annual giving program. Serving as a direct operational partner to the Executive Director, this position provides high-level support for Lafayette’s premier volunteer cohorts, including Trustee giving, the Alumni Association Board, Affinity Groups, and Regional Councils. This role is responsible for bridging the gap between fundraising strategy and volunteer execution by gathering real-time campus impact data, drafting advanced case-making and stewardship materials, and equipping volunteer solicitors with the resources needed to drive results. This position offers intensive, on-the-job training in elite volunteer management, direct frontline fundraising, and strategic annual giving operations.
Position Responsibilities & Essential Functions
Board Prep & Material Design: Author and prepare sophisticated briefings, volunteer toolkits, presentation decks, and specialized solicitation materials required by volunteer leaders and the Executive Director to drive board giving.
On-the-Job Volunteer Mastery: Actively participate in strategic planning sessions and board meetings alongside the Executive Director, developing advanced competencies in peer-to-peer volunteer cultivation, management, and governance.
Board & Council Alignment: Coordinate with Regional Council and Affinity Group engagement leads across the division to ensure that broad alumni engagement initiatives are leveraged to identify, track, and support high-potential volunteer fundraising pipelines.
2. Impact Gathering, Case-Making, & Stewardship Messaging (25%)
Campus Story Scouting: Build deep partnerships with campus units, faculty, and student groups to gather real-time, concrete examples of how Lafayette College Fund gifts are being deployed on campus.
Case & Content Development: Translate campus impact stories into compelling case-making copy, educational materials, and stewardship messaging to shift the college’s narrative from passive engagement to active philanthropic investment.
Stewardship Delivery: Partner across the team to embed these real-time impact metrics into broad-based and leadership annual giving stewardship channels, showing donors the immediate ROI of their gifts.
Volunteer Enablement & Toolkits: Design and distribute solicitor toolkits, peer-to-peer outreach templates, and campaign progress updates to volunteer managers and solicitors to keep peer-to-peer campaigns moving efficiently.
Administrative Partner Workflow: Collaborate directly with the division’s Administrative Assistants to request necessary data pulls, ensure correct gift coding, and confirm that volunteer assignments and board statuses are updated in the CRM.
Solicitation Coordination: Monitor volunteer-managed prospect pools to facilitate smooth communication pathways, preventing multi-channel solicitation overlaps and ensuring volunteers are fully supported in their outreach.
Discovery Portfolio: Manage a focused, exploratory portfolio of prospects, primarily utilizing high-value board connections or affinity-based networks to qualify, cultivate, and solicit leadership-level annual fund gifts ($2,500+).
The Dual Ask: Practice the “dual ask” methodology under the guidance of the Executive Director, aligning prospect affinities with overarching campaign benchmarks and restricted institutional priorities.
Metrics Accountability: Meet or exceed explicit annual metrics established by the Executive Director for qualification conversations, face-to-face/virtual visits, and completed solicitations.
5. Other Duties as Assigned (5%)
Required Qualifications
Education, Experience, and Knowledge:
Bachelor’s degree required; degree in relevant field (such as Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or Event Management) preferred.
One to three years in higher ed, advancement, alumni relations, volunteer engagement/management, and/or equivalent experience with annual fund/giving preferred.
Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
High level of energy and a strong team orientation.
Familiarity with annual fund, volunteer enablement, and alumni engagement strategies and best practices.
Proficiency in using relevant software and tools (Google Suite, CRM platforms, Microsoft Office, Hustle texting platform, ThankView, digital communication platforms, social media, email marketing tools, etc.).
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends during events as needed.
Working Conditions
This position requires an individual to be able to work nights and weekends as needed.
Lafayette College is committed to creating a diverse community, one that is inclusive and responsive, and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. All members of the College community share a responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced. All Lafayette operations reflect the College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, and Lafayette welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.
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Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.