The Director of Annual Giving is responsible for the development, implementation, and analysis of a comprehensive, strategic, and integrated annual giving program. Working closely with the Associate Director of Advancement and Advancement colleagues, the Director of Annual Giving will execute a program that includes all forms of donor cultivation, solicitation, and retention including direct asks (via a portfolio of leadership annual fund donors), volunteer management, and direct mail.
The Director of Annual Giving reports to the Associate Director of Advancement.
Specific Responsibilities
Develop and manage a robust volunteer peer-to-peer solicitor network, including strategy, messaging, and goal setting, along with the recruitment, training, and retention of engaged volunteers.
Create a compelling case for support of Hackley’s annual fund program and a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy for current and potential donors with a focus on building and growing a leadership annual gift program.
Manage production of annual giving materials across a variety of media including print, digital, and social media channels.
Continuously analyze giving patterns among Hackley’s constituencies and create a strategy that includes direct mail segmentation and a/b message testing, to develop, solicit, and retain an ever-increasing base of regular donors.
Measure progress against benchmarks and make program adjustments regularly.
Partner with the Director of Alumni Engagement to create an efficient and effective alumni volunteer strategy to increase alumni support of the annual fund, with a particular focus on Reunion-year giving.
Cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects and forge strong relationships with parents, alumni, grandparents and parents of alumni to influence and maximize contributions.
Work closely with the Advancement leadership team to qualify annual fund donors for major gift cultivation and solicitation.
Collaborate closely with other advancement team members to reduce duplication and inefficiencies.
Research and apply annual fund best practices to increase Annual Fund participation and revenue, and employ performance metrics and organizational data for greatest return on investment.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Associate Director of Advancement.
Success Profile
Communicates both Hackley’s commitment to its enduring traditions and its exciting vision for the future – tailoring those messages as necessary to reach different audiences.
Continually evaluates and, where necessary, redesigns aspects of the annual giving program with the goal of maximizing gift contributions in collaboration with the Associate Director of Advancement.
Success and experience with both data analytics and frontline fundraising.
Maintains currency with best practices, innovative developments, and trends in the annual giving field.
Capitalizes on opportunities to continue developing as a professional.
Engages fully in the life of the school.
Builds and maintains a professional rapport with a broad audience – alumni, donors, parents and all other staff.
Qualifications
A minimum of five years of progressive experience in annual giving, preferably in an academic setting.
Strong leadership experience with a track record of meeting or exceeding goals.
Demonstrated data-driven decision-making skills.
Success in building/growing and deploying a volunteer program to enhance annual giving.
Exceptional ability to analyze and synthesize information for multiple constituencies.
Comfort with direct-ask solicitations, and excellent written and oral communication skills, along with a keen ability to listen.
Demonstrated self-starter who is motivated by challenging goals and not easily deterred.
Commitment to working collaboratively within the department and across the school.
An ability to travel and work some nights/weekends as required.
About Hackley School
Hackley School was founded in 1899 as a college preparatory school for boys through the generosity of Mrs. Frances Hackley, who, in partnership with leading Unitarians of the era, sought to create a non-sectarian school that embraced Unitarian values of intellectual questioning and inclusiveness.
Hackley’s mission statement reads as follows:
"Hackley challenges students to grow in character, scholarship, and accomplishment, to offer unreserved effort, and to learn from the varying perspectives and backgrounds in our community and the world."
The Hackley community embraces four mottos that weave throughout the culture and shape our journey, K-12 and beyond. First, we “Enter here to be and find a friend.” Once here, “United, we help one another.” We learn and share a commitment that “Character is higher than intellect.” And ultimately, the journey prepares us to “Go forth and spread beauty and light.” These ideals are embedded in our history, our collective identity, and even our architecture.
Hackley has evolved since its founding into a co-educational K-12 day school with five-day Upper School boarding, increasing the number and variety of perspectives in its community, while faithfully and vibrantly carrying its founder’s vision forward.
