Rutgers Foundation
Executive Director, Annual Giving
Rutgers Foundation, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States, 02254
Overview
Brandeis University seeks a collaborative, strategic, and emotionally intelligent leader to serve as its next Executive Director of Annual Giving (ED). Founded on the principles of academic excellence and social justice, Brandeis is a globally respected research university with a bold vision for the future. With a presidential transition in progress, a reimagined academic model underway, and the next campaign on the horizon, this is an exciting time to join the university’s advancement leadership team. The Executive Director will assume a transformational role as Brandeis enters this new era, directing an experienced team responsible for engaging alumni, families, and friends in meaningful and lasting philanthropic relationships. They will help shape the philanthropic story of Brandeis—and ensure that story reflects the people and values that make the institution extraordinary—as they elevate a modern, inclusive, and high-performing annual giving program. Responsibilities
The ED will oversee a team of twelve across four interconnected program areas—Leadership Giving, Brandeis National Committee, Parent & Family Philanthropy, and Direct Marketing. The Annual Giving team drives donor participation, fuels the giving pipeline, and creates early and meaningful engagement with Brandeis’s diverse community of supporters. The ED will design, implement, and scale a comprehensive and integrated annual giving program that engages alumni, families, and friends through a combination of personal outreach, volunteer partnerships, and targeted direct marketing in ways that strengthen donor participation, retention, and pipeline development. Key to the success of this team will be the unification of three strong but independently operating programs into a more cohesive, strategically aligned, and future-ready annual giving program. Leadership Giving Annual leadership donors—alumni, parents, and friends—help ensure that the university can respond to emerging needs, sustain academic excellence, and expand access through student financial aid. These donors give $1,000 or more annually and are cultivated through personal outreach, targeted campaigns such as class and reunion giving, and affinity-based strategies that deepen connection and engagement. The Brandeis Fund serves as the cornerstone of unrestricted philanthropic support at Brandeis. Brandeis National Committee Since the founding of Brandeis University, the Brandeis National Committee (BNC) and its local chapters have supported Brandeis through philanthropy, learning, and community. To date, the organization has raised nearly $150 million in support of Brandeis. In addition to fundraising, BNC chapters hold social and lifelong learning events for members. They meet in homes, public libraries, and community centers to study a broad range of topics, from Shakespeare to American Jewish humor, often using study guides created by Brandeis faculty. Parent & Family Philanthropy Brandeis families are vital partners in advancing the university’s mission. The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) recognizes parent donors who make annual gifts of $5,000 or more. Through events, communications, and volunteer opportunities, PLC members deepen their engagement with Brandeis. Last year, Brandeis parents contributed over $1.1 million to support the university and its students; PLC members contributed 70% of that amount. This program blends leadership-level stewardship with opportunities for volunteerism and community-building. Direct Marketing The direct marketing program leads the strategy, design, and execution of fundraising appeals to Brandeis’s broader donor base. This includes multichannel campaigns—email, mail, text, and digital—as well as the university’s phonathon program. Working in collaboration with Advancement Communications and other fundraising teams, the direct marketing team ensures that each appeal is targeted, timely, and aligned with broader institutional priorities. Qualifications
8+ years of experience in annual giving, donor engagement, or development, ideally within higher education or a similarly complex nonprofit institution. Experience designing and scaling fundraising programs, with demonstrated growth in participation, revenue, or retention. A deep understanding of donor behavior, digital fundraising, and volunteer engagement to drive participation and maximize impact. A track record of strong people management-building teams, mentoring staff, and fostering cohesion. Expert strategic planning and project management skills, with a strength in establishing best-in-class processes and cross-team alignment. Comfort with change and ambiguity; able to move forward with clarity even without perfect information. Benefits
The university provides support for employees’ physical, mental, emotional, and financial health through a robust and competitive set of offerings. This includes comprehensive health plans for medical, dental, and vision care, and financial security, work, and life benefits. Application Details
Pearl Street Collective, the search firm with purpose, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To apply or view full position description, visit https://www.pearlstreetcollective.com/positions/brandeis-edag Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, caste, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").
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Brandeis University seeks a collaborative, strategic, and emotionally intelligent leader to serve as its next Executive Director of Annual Giving (ED). Founded on the principles of academic excellence and social justice, Brandeis is a globally respected research university with a bold vision for the future. With a presidential transition in progress, a reimagined academic model underway, and the next campaign on the horizon, this is an exciting time to join the university’s advancement leadership team. The Executive Director will assume a transformational role as Brandeis enters this new era, directing an experienced team responsible for engaging alumni, families, and friends in meaningful and lasting philanthropic relationships. They will help shape the philanthropic story of Brandeis—and ensure that story reflects the people and values that make the institution extraordinary—as they elevate a modern, inclusive, and high-performing annual giving program. Responsibilities
The ED will oversee a team of twelve across four interconnected program areas—Leadership Giving, Brandeis National Committee, Parent & Family Philanthropy, and Direct Marketing. The Annual Giving team drives donor participation, fuels the giving pipeline, and creates early and meaningful engagement with Brandeis’s diverse community of supporters. The ED will design, implement, and scale a comprehensive and integrated annual giving program that engages alumni, families, and friends through a combination of personal outreach, volunteer partnerships, and targeted direct marketing in ways that strengthen donor participation, retention, and pipeline development. Key to the success of this team will be the unification of three strong but independently operating programs into a more cohesive, strategically aligned, and future-ready annual giving program. Leadership Giving Annual leadership donors—alumni, parents, and friends—help ensure that the university can respond to emerging needs, sustain academic excellence, and expand access through student financial aid. These donors give $1,000 or more annually and are cultivated through personal outreach, targeted campaigns such as class and reunion giving, and affinity-based strategies that deepen connection and engagement. The Brandeis Fund serves as the cornerstone of unrestricted philanthropic support at Brandeis. Brandeis National Committee Since the founding of Brandeis University, the Brandeis National Committee (BNC) and its local chapters have supported Brandeis through philanthropy, learning, and community. To date, the organization has raised nearly $150 million in support of Brandeis. In addition to fundraising, BNC chapters hold social and lifelong learning events for members. They meet in homes, public libraries, and community centers to study a broad range of topics, from Shakespeare to American Jewish humor, often using study guides created by Brandeis faculty. Parent & Family Philanthropy Brandeis families are vital partners in advancing the university’s mission. The Parents Leadership Council (PLC) recognizes parent donors who make annual gifts of $5,000 or more. Through events, communications, and volunteer opportunities, PLC members deepen their engagement with Brandeis. Last year, Brandeis parents contributed over $1.1 million to support the university and its students; PLC members contributed 70% of that amount. This program blends leadership-level stewardship with opportunities for volunteerism and community-building. Direct Marketing The direct marketing program leads the strategy, design, and execution of fundraising appeals to Brandeis’s broader donor base. This includes multichannel campaigns—email, mail, text, and digital—as well as the university’s phonathon program. Working in collaboration with Advancement Communications and other fundraising teams, the direct marketing team ensures that each appeal is targeted, timely, and aligned with broader institutional priorities. Qualifications
8+ years of experience in annual giving, donor engagement, or development, ideally within higher education or a similarly complex nonprofit institution. Experience designing and scaling fundraising programs, with demonstrated growth in participation, revenue, or retention. A deep understanding of donor behavior, digital fundraising, and volunteer engagement to drive participation and maximize impact. A track record of strong people management-building teams, mentoring staff, and fostering cohesion. Expert strategic planning and project management skills, with a strength in establishing best-in-class processes and cross-team alignment. Comfort with change and ambiguity; able to move forward with clarity even without perfect information. Benefits
The university provides support for employees’ physical, mental, emotional, and financial health through a robust and competitive set of offerings. This includes comprehensive health plans for medical, dental, and vision care, and financial security, work, and life benefits. Application Details
Pearl Street Collective, the search firm with purpose, has been exclusively retained for this engagement. To apply or view full position description, visit https://www.pearlstreetcollective.com/positions/brandeis-edag Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, caste, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").
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