Assistant Director of Primary Giving – Direct Marketing

The Primary Giving team (commonly referred to as annual giving in the industry) supports VCU’s mission and financial sustainability through effective donor engagement, relationship building, portfolio activation and leadership annual giving fundraising. Their core focus is to cultivate and maintain a broad base of support from donors who contribute regularly at levels below the major gift threshold. To accomplish this, the team employs strategically planned and coordinated campaigns, utilizing a variety of channels, messages, and approaches to connect with donors. These methods include, but are not limited to, omni-channel direct marketing campaigns, direct solicitation, volunteer management, and giving days. Reporting to the Executive Director of Primary Giving, the Assistant Director is responsible for developing and executing strategic, segmented multi-channel direct response fundraising campaigns for VCU. This role leads content and segmentation strategy for appeals and other primary giving specific projects, collaborating closely with colleagues across campus to drive donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades through coordinated, data-informed outreach. This is a pooled posting for two Assistant Directors of Primary Giving – Direct Marketing, with one role focusing on universitywide and society efforts and the other on acquisition projects and affinity groups. As the Assistant Director of Primary Giving – Direct Marketing, you will: Develop content strategy for primary giving appeals and renewal efforts Develop segmentation strategies based on primary giving priorities Assist in the design, production and deployment of fundraising materials Collaborate with the Primary Giving team to translate messaging into effective digital assets and ensure accurate delivery Oversee calendar planning and execution of segmented campaigns Collaborate with Strategic Marketing & Engagement to ensure coordinated messaging across all donor-facing channels Analyze campaign performance and test messaging, frequency, and formats Assist in market research and data analysis Serve as a project manager tasked with increasing philanthropic support to VCU through print, digital, text, and newly emerging technologies Utilize project management tools and software to manage communications and deliverables with partners to ensure timelines are adhered to Compile and distribute print communications in conjunction with external vendors Coordinate production with internal partners including writers, graphic designers, and a data team to ensure on-time delivery of projects Manage vendor relationships Track, review, and report results of campaigns to leadership and partners in pre-determined timeframes Collaborate with team members to review and analyze project results and make recommendations for strategy enhancements Provide exceptional customer service to constituents and partners Assist in developing and implementing A/B testing strategies to increase dollars and donors Coordinate with team members to provide appropriate audience segmentation and solicitation performance updates on a mutually agreed upon schedule, based on milestones and partner needs Collaborate with team members and partners on content and format that incorporates primary giving best practices As a team member, you will: Maintain and encourage open and honest professional relationships within the team and throughout DAR and VCU Establish, cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with internal partners Collaborate with peers and stakeholders to add to DAR’s collective innovative thinking Align your values with DAR’s core purpose and values Required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in higher education, corporate or nonprofit environment Previous annual giving, marketing, or fundraising experience with knowledge of planning and executing successful direct-response campaigns Understanding of donor stewardship programs and lifecycle communications, especially for recurring and loyal donor audiences Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a strong understanding of donor-centric messaging and storytelling Experience using CRM and fundraising databases Collaborative and team-oriented mindset with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement Ability to work collaboratively in a complex institutional environment and align fundraising strategies with organizational goals High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to donor-centered philanthropy Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU Preferred qualifications: Two years or more of experience in annual giving, marketing, or fundraising in a nonprofit or higher education (Research I) setting or similar complex environments Familiarity with donor segmentation strategies, including LYBUNT/SYBUNT analysis, leadership giving, reunion campaigns, and affinity-based targeting (e.g., parents, athletics) Experience with project management tools such as Smartsheet Experience with marketing tools such as Salesforce Marketing Cloud or GiveCampus Strong ability to self-manage and handle multiple tasks Salary Range: $60,000-$70,000 Interested applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume for consideration. Preference given to applicants who apply by August 18, 2025.

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