Job Details

Director of Annual Giving

Main Campus - Boston, MA
R11125

ABOUT SIMMONS

Located in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston's only women's undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.

You're joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You'll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.

As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Senior Director of Alumnae/i Engagement and Individual Giving, the Director of Annual Giving ("Director") will provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of all aspects of the Simmons Fund, with the goal of increasing current-use, unrestricted philanthropic support. This role plays a key part in advancing Simmons' institutional fundraising priorities as the university prepares for a comprehensive capital campaign.

The Director will design, execute, and evaluate integrated, multi-channel fundraising strategies focused on both donor participation and revenue growth. A special emphasis will be placed on expanding leadership-level giving through donor cultivation, engagement, and stewardship. The Director will manage their own portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects and partner closely with colleagues across the Advancement division, including Alumnae/i Engagement and Events, Major Gifts, Donor Relations and Stewardship, and Advancement Services as well as with cross-campus partners.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Fundraising Strategy and Program Management

• Lead the strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of all annual giving programs with the goal of raising $3M+ in budget-relieving revenue.
  
• Develop and implement growth-focused strategies to acquire, retain, and upgrade donors, with a strong emphasis on leadership giving ($1,000-$25,000 level).
  
• Oversee all multi-channel marketing efforts, including direct mail, email, online giving campaigns, social media, and targeted digital outreach.
  
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to execute effective solicitation and engagement campaigns.
  
• Partner with the Major Gifts team to identify and cultivate annual donors with the capacity and inclination for campaign-level support.
  
• Lead the design and implementation of signature fundraising initiatives, including Giving Day, Reunion Class Giving, and targeted affinity-based campaigns.
  
• Regularly assess program performance using data analytics to drive decision-making and increase donor retention and participation rates.
  

Portfolio Management and Donor Engagement

• Personally manage a portfolio of leadership-level annual fund prospects, focusing on cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
  
• Craft personalized solicitation strategies that align with donor interests and University priorities.
  
• Effectively present Simmons' funding needs and case for support to inspire philanthropic investment.
  

Volunteer and Staff Leadership

• Recruit, train, and manage Reunion Class Giving volunteers and other annual giving volunteer leaders.
  
• Provide coaching and resources to empower volunteers to solicit their peers and close gifts.
  
• Supervise and mentor Annual Giving staff, fostering a collaborative, outcomes-focused work environment.
  
• Support staff professional development and performance management.
  

Collaboration and Campus Partnership

• Work closely with colleagues in Alumnae/i Engagement and Events, Advancement Services, Donor Relations and Stewardship, and Major Gifts to ensure a seamless and positive donor experience.
  
• Engage campus partners, including faculty, staff, and students and external partners, including alumnae/i and volunteer leaders, to enhance the reach and impact of annual giving efforts.
  
• Lead initiatives to build a culture of philanthropy among current students and young alumnae/i.
  

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Other duties as assigned.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
  
• Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated success in annual giving, fundraising, or related development roles.
  
• Proven track record in managing leadership-level donor pipelines and executing comprehensive, multi-channel solicitation strategies.
  
• Experience recruiting, training, and managing volunteers.
  
• Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience, including team leadership and staff development.
  
• Proficiency with fundraising platforms and databases, CRM systems (Blackbaud Raiser's Edge/NXT preferred), and Google Workplace (Calendar, Slides, Sheets) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  
• Strong analytical and data management skills; ability to interpret performance metrics and adjust strategies accordingly.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling fundraising messages.
  
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders including donors, alumnae/i, trustees, campus partners, and students.
  
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with a high attention to detail, problem solving, critical thinking, and communication. Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
  
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of work.
  
• High-level ability of handling confidential and sensitive information.
  

COMPETENCIES

• Problem Solving
  
• Analytical and Strategic
  
• Customer Service Oriented
  
• Communication (Written, Verbal, Presentation)
  
• Commitment to Inclusive Excellence and Social Justice
  
• Teamwork
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position with occasional evening and weekend work, as well as limited travel.
  
• Simmons offers a flexible hybrid work structure that blends remote and in-office work.
  

Salary Grade
S10

Instructions to Applicants: Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the Application Materials box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).

Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.


To apply, visit https://simmons.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Simmons-Careers/job/Main-Campus---Boston-MA/Director-of-Annual-Giving_R11125

Located in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons University is a small, private, non-sectarian College which has educated students for enriching careers and purposeful lives since 1899. Working at Simmons means joining a collaborative, diverse and mission-driven community of educators and professionals.

We prepare students to be leaders for themselves, their communities and the world. Our faculty and staff members lead by example - sharing a commitment to excellence and putting the students first.